Vindication

[Evangelical theology] can expect justice for itself only by the fact that God justifies it. It can give only him and not itself the glory.

Karl Barth, The Place of Theology

It is not the place of the Christian to vindicate himself in thought or deed—as both are elements of theology. Evangelical (regarding the Good News of Jesus' death and resurrection) theology and life is measured by the same standard and bound by the same ethic as Jesus' life and death.

Just as Jesus died a shameful death to the world, so the Christian should expect to be shamed by the world. Just as Jesus' faithfulness to the Father's will was considered foolish in the eyes of the earthly wisdom of his disciples (who would have had him instigate a military revolt against Rome), the Christian's adherence to the good will of God will lead to scorn.

Where, then, is vindication for the Believer? If the Christian is united with Christ in his shame and suffering as in his death, vindication comes in Christ's resurrection; God vindicated Jesus by raising him from the dead.

As a follower of Jesus, it is neither my duty nor right to vindicate before man, nor should I expect it in this life. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:

And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

Hope of vindication, justice, and justification is entirely in the resurrection of my body on the basis of the resurrection of Christ's body. This is the basis of hope for the Christian.