Three Views on Justification

Luther- Forensic Justification

• Righteousness outside of sinner (alien righteousness)
• Imputed, legal declaration
• works not cause of justification
• works appropriate response to justification

*Concerened with perfect standing before God

Bucer- Double Justification

• Thre are two justifications:
  • First is the justification of the ungodly; gracious forgivness of sin (equal to “justification” today).
  • Second is the justification  of godly; Gracious, Spirit-empowered response of human obediecne to moral demands (equal to “sanctification” today).
• First justfication causes Second justification
• Regarded Christ as external moral example.
• Unless sinner has both, he cannot be considered “justified”.

*Concerened with protecting the reality of grace and neccesity of human obedience.

Cavin- Double Grace ( of Union)

• Faith unites to Christ in mystical union
• Union has two-fold effect:
  • first, leads to a declaration of a righteous standing before God (like Luther’s entire doctrine)
  • second, beleivers begin a process of becoming like Christ, not on account of justification, but as a result of union (unlike Luther)
• Agreed with Luther on the real  presence of Christ within believers, as opposed to Bucer’s external role of Christ.

*Concerned with an internal Christ, and moral renewal.

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Filed Under: Justification