51 Discussion

Background Information

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.(English Standard Version, 2016, Romans 5:1-5)

In your Applied Doctoral Projects, you need to justify yourself. After conducting a robust literature review, guided by your research questions, you will carefully consider the remaining knowledge gaps, and then select a methodology to complete your research. This selection must be robustly defended in your ADP. You will be expected to clearly justify your reasons for making your decision.

But in Christianity, justifying yourself isn’t possible. Virtually every religion teaches that humans, due to their sinful natures and failings, owe a debt to God. This debt must be paid before we are allowed to enjoy the eternal blessings of an afterlife (Heaven). But unlike with other major religions, in Christianity, this debt was paid for us. We were justified by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

We all fall short of God’s standards and are ultimately bankrupt. When a debtor is unable to repay their debts, the lender might choose to forgive those debts. The debtor is released from their obligation, but the cost was never actually paid. Perhaps you have been in this position, where you forgave someone who has wronged you or who owed you money. If you have been in this position, you will likely understand that while you forgave the debt, it wasn’t completely forgotten. It likely changed the nature of your relationship with the person who wronged you.

Justification is something above and beyond simple forgiveness. Jesus Christ, the son of God, through his death, paid off our debt of sin for us. The debt wasn’t just forgiven; instead, it was justified the price has been paid in full! In so doing, Jesus reconciled all of us sinners into a fully restored relationship with God the Father.

Instructions

1. Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.
2. Review the background information provided and seriously consider how it applies to your current relationship with God and your fellow debtors (all humanity).
3. Access the discussion below and respond to the following questions:
   1. In your ADP, you will be expected to justify your positions not by faith, but by works – With sound reasoning and lots of citation support. How do you feel about this requirement? Is it fair? Why is it important to those who will review your work?
   2. In Christianity, you are justified by faith, not by your works With the recognition your salvation depends on Jesus, not yourself. How do you feel about this reality? Is it fair? Why is it important to Those who will judge your time on earth?