justification
in the writings of Paul in the New Testament, as in those of the Luther, Calvin and other Protestant Reformers, much is made of the importance of ‘justification by faith’. Basically, they make the common assertion that human striving is no basis in itself for oneness with God. That comes as a gracious gift, to which we respond, consciously or negatively, as we do. In contemporary culture, the language is different. There may be talk of ‘making it’, ‘proving yourself’, ‘demonstrating your worth’, or showing weaknesses and failings in any of these respects. According to the Christian ‘big picture’, human worth is already given. Flowing from this, the resourcing energy, from beyond ourselves, for both work and play, is there for anyone to draw on.