Paul and James: Judgement Day Comes

Judgment Day stands as the culminating event of human destiny. Judgment is destined: the outcome is not.

God is ready, scripture points out, to judge the living and the dead. 1 Peter 5:4. Axiomatic of his justice, God will call all humans to account for their respective lives. He will be vindicated on that Day, as each person agrees with God's judgment as true and right, when he renders to each one justly according to his or her deeds. Romans 3:4-6.

To that end, scripture assures that it is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes Judgment Day. Hebrews 9:27. Scripture emphasizes the Day's comprehensiveness to say all the dead, great and small, will stand before God's throne; the sea will give up the dead who are in it, and Death and Hades will give up the dead in them, and all will be judged, each one of them according to what they have done. Revelation 20:12-13. Further, scripture asserts that we all must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he or she has done in the body, whether good or evil. 2 Corinthians 5:10.

The outcome of Judgment is a big deal. Scripture clearly states that for those acquitted, it means eternal life, glory, honor, and peace. Romans 2:6-10. For those not acquitted, there will be trouble, distress, and in the end, immutable death. Romans 6:21.

Judgment is destined: people's individual outcomes are not. Consequently, people have a high interest in the standards against which that judgment is to be made. Indeed, scripture speaks of individuals' consciences bearing them witness in their conflicting thoughts, accusing or excusing them respectively on that Day when God judges people's secrets. Romans 2:15.

Two big ideas relate to the Judgment: justification and salvation. Justification is the process or means leading to excuse or acquittal of charges against a person. Salvation is the process or means taken to rescue an accused person from sure despair and death.

In pursuit of the standards by which judgment is made, I plan to explore two New Testament writings, James' letter to the twelve tribes in the Diaspora, and Paul's letter to the churches of Galatia. These writings are usually thought to be fairly contemporaneous with each other, though distinct in their discussions. The writings are also noted as providing considerable tension between the notions of justification by faith apart from works of law (Paul), and justification by works that demonstrate a living faith (James).

Judgment Day comes. That formidable event forms the backdrop for the discussions ahead.

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Note: In the discussions ahead, any number of Bible translations may be used, including original work. No indicators are given concerning the sources; readers are encouraged to use their own preferred versions for deeper consideration. Also, when reference is made to Paul's writing, one should assume the Galatian letter unless clearly indicated otherwise.