Judgment as a Form of Salvation

I. Judgment as the Saving Work of Christ

Theodicy addresses the problem of God in an evil world.

We aren't alone! Israel's apocalyptic theodical approach is God's promise of imminent and final judgment,

through his Messiah (Ps 2, Dan 7, John 3:19, Acts 4:23-31).

Later Christianity: As apocalypticism fades, salvation is separated from judgment.
Yet judgment is part of salvation (1 Cor 3:12-15, 1 Pet 3:18-22, Ps 46):
Notre Dame West Front, Celtic high cross.

II. Judgment Day: Culmination of Office and Atonement
At his parousia (appearing, return) Christ is creation's apocalyptic prophet, interceding priest, and ruling King (Mark 13, Matt 24-25, Rev 5:1-13, 22:5).
Until then we 'enjoy' moments of justice in an unjust world:

Expulsion from Eden (Gen 3:12-24), deliverances (1 Sam 2:1-10), Caesar's sword (Rom 13), Jesus' resurrection (Acts 3:13-21), Church discipline (Matt 18:15-20); fellowship with Christ in his Holy Spirit.

III. We Participate (and Don't) in Judgment ...

in birth, into sinfulness, the discipline of stoicheia (Gal 4:3), and the heritage of God's above judgments;
in baptism, in Jesus' being judged and vindicated (Matt 3:13-17, Rom 6:1-14);
in discipleship, enjoying and extending Christ's offer of amnesty (Acts 2:38-40):

in the Great Commandment's mutual accountability (John 13:34-35, 1 Cor 5, Matt 18) (Ralph Winter: inward 'modality'), and
in the Great Commission's missional disciple-making (outward 'sodality', Matt 28:18-20),

anticipating Christ's judgment of our relationship with him and our works in him (2 Cor 5:10, Luke 12:8-9, Matt 24-25):

Jesus grants his co-heirs a share in all of these aspects of his work as judge (1 Cor 6:3, Rev 6:10).

IV. Advent, the Sequel: Why the Wait?
Until then, the Church waits (Rev 6:10 again) for the world's judgment.
Nonretaliation anticipates God's judgment of the world (Rom 12:19-21).
Advent is a season of mercy and mission (Jonah 3:4, 4:1-2) to victims and oppressors.
God's mercy both raises and answers the problem of evil (Jonah 4:11).
Delay (2 Pet 3:9-10, Acts 1:11) implies neither indifference nor universalism.
Advent describes our understanding of God as truly just, righteous, and holy:

Theologia gloriae: The glory of a superhero? (Rev 19:11-16, Rev 14:14, Phil 2:11).
Theologia crucis: The slain lamb's scars are his glory (Rev 5-14).
Prophetic warnings involve wrath (as abandonment? Rom 1:18 and 1:24), but conclude with healing and life (e.g., Rev 21:1-22:5).