Paul concludes his defense of justification by faith with a personal appeal and an allegory.

As I have argued many times in Issues in Perspective, God has created three primary institutions, each with clear stewardship responsibilities: The family, the state and the church. Our God is a God of order and structure. Disorder, chaos and dysfunction result from not following His moral law and His revelation to us in His Word. God created humanity to live in community submitting to Him and to the institutions He has created. With the accommodation to postmodern autonomy, commitment to God and to His institutions is in serious decline. Disorder, dysfunction and chaos are the rule. In this edition of Issues, I want to focus on four consequences of this disorder.

The reconciliation of Paul and James–justification by faith and justification by works.

We have all heard the term “woke.” It is part of our cultural dialogue. With an obvious difference in emphasis, both the left and the right along the political spectrum use the term. But, what exactly does “woke” mean in American civilization? Ross Douthat has perhaps given the best summary of the power and appeal of “wokeness.” All Americans treasure equality and liberty; we seek to transform these ideals into living reality within our culture. But there remain limits, disappointments and defeats—and terrible disparities persist.

Paul demonstrates the inferiority and temporary nature of the Law in comparison with the Abrahamic Covenant.

That Russia is committing war crimes against the Ukrainian people is an indisputable fact. Consider what Putin’s forces are doing to evangelical churches in Ukraine […] Russian war crimes in Ukraine are incontrovertible.

Paul defends justification by faith using experience, Abraham, the curse of the Law and its relationship to the Abrahamic Covenant.

In mid-March 2023, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to reestablish diplomatic relations and reopen embassies after seven years of conflict and tension. The major diplomatic breakthrough negotiated with China lowers the chance of armed conflict between the Mideast rivals — both directly and in proxy conflicts around the region (e.g., Yemen). The deal, struck in Beijing amid its ceremonial National People’s Congress, represents a major diplomatic victory for the Chinese as Gulf Arab states perceive the United States slowly withdrawing from the wider Middle East.

Paul defends the doctrine of justification by faith alone.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 stipulates the vital importance of parents in educating children: There is to be a formal structure where children are taught facts, ethical standards and doctrinal truth. They are also to model these virtues, values and standards before their children. Parents are thus central in the moral and spiritual formation of their children. In America, parents, the church and the school should be cooperative and supportive in accomplishing this goal of education. But moral and spiritual formation has been replaced by indoctrination and the pursuit of personal autonomy. It is difficult to be optimistic about the future of public education in the US. Christian parents need to take seriously their responsibility before God in educating their children.