Prof. Dion Forster: Mercy Over Judgment – The Woman Caught in Adultery

In this profound episode of Radio Cape Pulpit, recorded while visiting Rome, Prof. Dion Forster reflects on the powerful story of the woman caught in adultery (John 8) – noting that the heading itself is already loaded, as it refers only to the woman, raising the question of where the man was. He explains that the teachers of the law tried to trap Jesus by creating a false dichotomy between mercy and justice. Instead of condemning the woman or condoning sin, Jesus bent down and wrote in the dust (a mystery we don't fully understand) and then said: "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone." One by one, they left. Then Jesus said: "Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more." Prof. Dion emphasises that Jesus did not ignore sin, nor did He say justice was unimportant – but mercy and truth belong together. Judgment must always begin with self-examination, and the approach to sin must be restorative, not humiliating. He closes with James 2:13: “Mercy triumphs over judgment.