Theological Essay
Justification
Alroy R. Olson
Liberty University THEO
202
March 7, 2017
Statement of Topic
As opposed to condemnation, justification one can think of a wonderful gift from God,
who with His love for us has pardoned us of all sin. Justification is a judicial act of God for all
those who have chosen to have faith in Him. It is not our works, but the works of Christ on the
cross that makes Justification possible. “On account of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ,
the demands of the law of God are met, and believers are granted the status of being righteous in
the sight of God.”1 In Romans and in his other letters, Paul draws on different images for
explaining how the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ can justify people, or make them right
with God. Some examples include, (Rom. 3:24–26, 30; 4:24–5:1; 5:9, 16–21; cf. 1 Cor. 6:11;
Gal. 2:21; 3:11–14). In Romans 3 Paul tells us, “being justified as a gift by His grace through the
redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood
through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He
passed over the sins previously committed.”2
Philosophical Foundations or Presuppositions
Theology whether it be the study of justification or one of the many other topics, has one
main goal. Akin tells us, “Christian theology is disciplined reflection on God’s self-revelation.
The purpose of this reflection is to equip the people of God to know and love God and to
participate in his mission in the world. The task of Christian theology is cognitive, affective, and
1 Martin H. Manser, Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for
Topical Studies (London: Martin Manser, 2009).
2New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Ro
3:24– 25.
dispositional.”3 The biggest challenge of theology is complicated by the fall. Proceeding the fall
God removed himself from the presence of man, with that, theologians must recover a right
understanding of God’s plan for creation and then seek to articulate and implement it. Luckily
for Christians even though God removed himself from humanity physically, He “has revealed
himself in times past through his mighty acts, through his prophets and apostles, and through the
incarnation of his Son. He now reveals himself through his written Word.”4 It is through God’s
written word that the task of theology can take place. Through God’s word we learn of the gift of
justification.
Biblical Evaluation
Justification according to just about all religions and many branches of Christianity man
is working his way towards God, they work for His acceptance, His love, and His forgiveness.
Justification by faith is what separates Christianity from all other religions. Justification in the
Bible teaches all of us when we get back to the Bible we see that justification is by faith, apart
from works. The Bible mentions in several places that justification is by faith alone. “Therefore,
since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”5
The word peace here is an important one, it is much more than just an absence of conflict, peace
here is a result of being declared righteous by our all mighty God. “As Paul used the term, it does
not primarily depict a state of inner tranquility. It is external and objective. To have “peace with
3 Akin, Daniel L. A Theology for the Church. Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 2014
4A Theology for the Church.
5The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2016), Ro 5:1.
God” means to be in a relationship with God in which all the hostility caused by sin has been
removed.”6
Like Romans 5:1, we read in Galatians, “So then, the law was our guardian until Christ
came, in order that we might be justified by faith.”7 Justifying faith was operative in the Old
Testament but faith in the person and work of Christ did not come until Christ was revealed.
Prior to that, Israel was under the protection of the Law, in other words God shielded His people
from the evil heathen rites surrounding them. Therefore, justification is not earned through our
own works; rather, we are covered by the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Once a person has been
justified, there is nothing else he or she needs to do to gain entrance into heaven. Since
justification comes by faith in Christ, based on His work on our behalf, our own works are
disqualified as a means of salvation according to the Bible. “There is neither Jew nor Greek,
there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”8
As previously stated there are many religious systems with complex theologies that teach
the false doctrine of justification by works. But they are teaching a different gospel which is no
gospel at all. “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace
of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some
who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.”9 Here Paul is disappointed that the
Galatians have turned their back to God. Paul explains that he received the gospel directly from
6 Robert H. Mounce, Romans, vol. 27, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman &
Holman Publishers, 1995), 133.
7The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2016), Ga 3:24.
8The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2016), Ga 3:28.
God Himself. He didn’t invent it himself, nor did he learn it from someone else. It was a
revelation from Jesus Christ.
Historical Development
a. The Ancient Church (100 AD–590 AD)
9The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2016), Ga 1:6–7.
