What is Justification by Faith? Exploring Paul's Most Controversial Doctrine

This video explores Paul's teaching on justification by faith, looking at how it emerged in contention with other Jewish Christian groups, Paul's rejection of Torah observance for Gentiles, the role of works, his relationship to Judaism, and more.

00:00 Why is justification so disputed?
00:25 The origins of Paul's teaching on justification
01:45 Key Characteristics of Pauline Teaching on Justification
05:23 A Definition of justification by faith

Check out:

Keep with Michael Bird on:

Twitter: mbird12

#justification #apostlepaul #Christianity

[earlychristianhistorywithm]

I hope everyone likes this video, I try to explain in six minutes what I think are the main features of justification by faith. I'm using AI to help create the images and voice-over, though if popular demand requires it, I might go back my own talking head. Otherwise, check out other videos on the channel.

[EthanMiller-ulsp]

I needed this explanation. Strange time in my life where I have been thinking about big questions and I love how you eloquently linked the declarative and transformative aspect of Justification. Thanks!

[matiyasalemayehu]

Thank you, Dr. Bird. I saw your article on this topic and sought it out, but the whole article was available only for paid members. Thanks for making a video on it. Keep up the educational videos.

[jamesbarksdale]

Great explication. I'll have to watch it again.

This appeared just at the right time, as the issue of justification has been on my mind.

It's interesting that many of the great theological truths of our Faith are multi-faceted.

There are boundaries, to be sure. But there's so much room for exploration within orthodox parameters.

Christianity pitches a big tent. The older I get the more appreciative I am.

[elliotwalton]

Best. Summary. Ever. There's a bit of the Wizard of Aussie in these videos. "Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain, but pay attention to what he's saying."

[treystevenson]

Three Types of Justification
From a sermon by Elder Chris McCool

Only by understanding the different courtrooms can we understand the various aspects of justification as taught in Scripture

3 Courtrooms:

Justified By Grace-Blood of Christ (Eternal)-Romans Chapters 4 and 5: Romans 4 explains we are not justified by works eternally and chapter 5:6-10 explains that man could not have performed the conditions of eternal salvation if he would have, and would not have performed the conditions even if he could have.
Christ made one offering for sins forever (Hebrews 10:14) and that one offering went up to God (Ephesians 5:2; Hebrews 9:14). In doing this Christ made the elect family of God accepted in the beloved (Ephesians 1:6). Christ therefore made us acquitted of all charges before God. When Christ paid the sacrifice on the cross the “sweet smelling savour” immediately went up to God (Ephesians 5:2) signifying that “It is finished!” (John 19:30). It is by the righteousness of Christ that we are eternally saved and not ours. That’s why all of our righteousness are as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). We can do all the righteousness that we want to and present them to God but it will only be a filthy stench to God’s nostrils in an eternal context. Whereas the righteous sacrifice that Christ made on the cross was the sweet smelling savour to God’s nostrils finishing the work.

Justified By Faith-Romans 5:1. In our heart (Eternal-heart purified by faith in the new birth [Galatians 5:22;Acts 15:5-9])-Through the faith given us by God, Christ’s blood is applied to our hearts purifying us. The applied blood acquits us of all charges eternally in this life. Romans 5:1 says that by being justified by faith we have peace with God. When we see the sinners that we are, instead of trying to work our own way out, we trust God because we have faith in Him and therefore have peace.

1st John 3:20-21-"For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God."

James 2:18-“Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” When we show good works to the world it is the evidence that we have faith. One must have faith placed in him by God in order to do good works.

Justified By Works-Courtroom of Public Opinion (Here and Now-Timely)-James 2:21. When we sometimes fail to do God’s work in this life, when we do not forgive people of their trespasses against us, when we fail to do good works in the sight of God our works are not justified. We therefore should do all of these things to be justified by our works in this life. None of these works justify us eternally (Romans 4) but timely as we live our lives on this earth.

Matthew 11:28-“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Christ did not tell all of Adam’s posterity to come to Him but “all that labour and are heavy laden”. There are many that do not have a burden of sin and therefore are not heavy laden. Christ tells His children that if they go to Him they will find rest that eases that burden.

Matthew 5:16-“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” When we shine God’s light that He has placed within us we are justified by these good works that we do.

James 2:18-“Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” When we show good works to the world it is the evidence that we have faith. One must have faith placed in him by God in order to do good works.

“In the courtroom of public opinion would there be enough good works to convict you?”

AMEN

[robusc]

What problem ?
Acts 9-10-15, Acts 13:1-3 Christ & HS selected Paul.
1 Cor 15:1-4, Eph 2:8-9, Gal 2:16, Rom 3:24-28, Rom 4:5-8 teaches how believers today ar justified.
So the simple problem is rejecting the Gospel.