Justification goes beyond forgiveness. Not only are we forgiven because of Christ, but God also declares us righteous because of Christ. God requires two things of us: punishment for our sins and perfection in our lives. Our sins must be punished, and our lives must be righteous. But we cannot bear our own punishment (Ps. [...]
Justification
Of Justification by Faith by John Calvin
The following selection by John Calvin was taken from book 3, chapter 11 of The Institutes of The Christian Religion, translated into English by Henry Beveridge, 1863. This electronic edition is in the public domain and may be freely copied and distributed. 1. I trust I have now sufficiently shown how man’s only resource for [...]
Justification by Faith with a Summary View of the Doctrine, and its Momentous Import by Archibald Alexander
It shall be our endeavor to set before our readers a plain exposition of this great Christian doctrine as taught in the holy Scriptures, and as generally held by sound Protestants. We commence with some remarks on the scriptural meaning of the word “justification,” as a mistake here may spread darkness over the whole discussion. [...]
Saving Faith by John Bunyan
When I write of justification before God, from the dreadful curse of the law, then I must speak of nothing but grace, Christ, the promise, and faith. But when I speak of our justification before men, then I must join to these, good works. For grace, Christ and faith, are things invisible, and so not [...]
Justification – Part I by A.A. Hodge
When the mind is enlightened by Divine truth, and duly impressed with a sense of guilt, it cannot fail anxiously to inquire, How can a man be just with God! The answer given to this question decides the character of our religion, and, if practically adopted, our future destiny. To give a wrong answer, is [...]
Justification – Part II by A. A. Hodge
Section II: The demands of the law are satisfied by what Christ has done. WE have thus seen that the Scriptures teach, first, That all men are naturally under the law as prescribing the terms of their acceptance with God; and, secondly, That no obedience which sinners can render is sufficient to satisfy the demands [...]
Justification – Part III by A. A. Hodge
Section III: The righteousness of Christ the true ground of our justification. The practical effects of this doctrine. THE Bible, as we have seen, teaches, first, that we are under a law which demands perfect obedience, and which threatens death in case of transgression; secondly, that all men have failed in rendering that obedience, and [...]
Justification by Faith – Part I: Justification by Faith Alone by Brian Schwertley
A doctrine which contains the heart or essence of the gospel is justification by faith alone. This doctrine is so central to the Christian faith that the apostle Paul proclaimed an anathema upon anyone who would pervert it (Gal. 1:6-9). Yet in spite of the importance attributed to it in the Bible and the critical [...]
Justification by Faith – Part II: The Roman Catholic Doctrine of Justification by Brian Schwertley
There are many reasons why all Bible-believing Christians should have a solid grasp of the Roman Catholic doctrine of justification. First, the Romish theory of justification is a complete denial of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a damnable heresy. Anyone who adheres to such a gross perversion of the gospel cannot be saved. [...]
Justification by Faith – Part III: Some Current Anti-Gospel Trends in Modern Evangelicalism by Brian Schwertley
Modern Evangelicalism has to a large extent lost many of the biblical doctrines that were emphasized by the Protestant reformers. In the nineteenth and especially the twentieth centuries, the doctrine of justification by faith alone has been assaulted on all sides by a variety of false doctrines. Today, there are many Evangelicals and even many [...]
Justification by Faith – Part IV: What About the Book of James? by Brian Schwertley
In the debate over the doctrine of justification between Roman Catholics and orthodox Protestants, Romanists often appeal to the book of James as proof that works or human merit have a crucial role to play in a person’s justification before God. In discussions with dedicated intellectual Papists, the author has noted that the book of [...]
Justification by Faith – Part V: Judgment According to Works by Brian Schwertley
A question often asked even by orthodox believers is: “If all of the guilt of believer’s sins is imputed to Christ on the cross and Christ’s perfect righteousness is imputed to believers, why does the Bible speak so often of a judgment according to works?” The Bible does clearly teach that all men shall be [...]
Of Justification by Faith by John Calvin
In this article the doctrine of Justification by Faith is expounded, and opposite errors refuted. Note: This article was taken from the Institutes of Christian Religion Chapter 11 OF JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH. BOTH THE NAME AND THE REALITY DEFINED. 1. I trust I have now sufficiently shown how man’s only resource for escaping from the [...]
Justification: from Jonathan Edwards: A Mini-Theology by John H. Gerstner
Articulus stantis aut candentis ecclesiae (‘the doctrine by which the church stands or falls’) – so said Martin Luther about justification by faith alone. John Calvin agreed, calling justification by faith the ‘hinge’ of the Reformation. But was that the historic Christian view? One may say generally of the history of the doctrine of justification [...]
Justification by Faith Alone (The Nature of Justifying Faith) by John H. Gerstner
Eternal life depends on Christ alone?nothing, but nothing, else. Predestination will not bring it. Providence cannot produce it. It does not rest on foreknowledge, divine decrees, or even the atonement itself. Eternal life is Christ dwelling in His righteousness in the soul of the justified person. So eternal life is union with Jesus Christ. And [...]
Justification – Exposition of Romans 8:28-30 by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
THE next term for our consideration is ‘Justified.’ This, as we have seen, is always associated with belief and faith. The term Thas become familiar–’Justification by faith only.’ That they are in a state of justification, or justified, is true of all who believe, who exercise faith. Christian people are often troubled and confused about [...]
Faith & Justification by Theodore Beza
The following article by Theodore Beza was taken from chapter four (sections 1-13) of his book The Christian Faith, translated into english by James Clark (Focus Christian Ministries Trust, East Essex England, 1992). We believe in the Holy Spirit; He is the essential Power of the Rather and the Son (Gen 1:2). He dwells in [...]
The Biblical Teaching of Justification by William Webster
One of the great truths of salvation is that of justification. But what is justification? The heart of the Reformation controversy was over the meaning of this word and despite the impression given by ECT, the Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches are still very much at odds with one another on this issue. The Reformers [...]
Are We Justified By Faith Alone? – What Still Divides Us: A Protestant & Roman Catholic Debate by Michael S. Horton
Referring to the schism of the 14th and 15th centuries, one scholar observes, ‘For nearly half a century, the Church was split into two or three obediences that excommunicated one another, so that every Catholic lived under excommunication by one pope or another, and, in the last analysis, no one could say with certainty which [...]
