2. The Five Solas
Sola Fide Faith Alone
Sola Scriptura Scripture Alone
Sola Gratia Grace Alone
Solus Christus Christ Alone
Soli Deo Gloria God’s Glory Alone
3. JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH ALONE
1. Introduction
2. Martin Luther
3. Council of Trent
4. Early Church Commentary
Pre-Augustine
Augustine
5. The Modern Churches
Joint Declaration
Modern Evangelicals
8. Sola Fide: Justification by Faith Alone
Romans 3: 28
“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart
from the deeds of the law.”
James 2: 24
“You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith
alone.”
Luther’s Paradox
10. Sola Fide: Justification by Faith Alone
“The concept of justification is inextricably linked with that of
righteousness, both semantically and theologically.”
Alister McGrath
13. Romans 1: 17
“For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a
righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written:
‘The righteous will live by faith.’
Young Luther; Righteousness first, then Faith.
New Luther; By faith we receive righteousness.
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
14. Martin Luther (1483-1546)
“Then I grasped that the justice of God is that righteousness by
which through grace and sheer mercy God justifies us through faith.
Thereupon I felt myself to be reborn and to have gone through the
open doors into paradise.
The whole of Scripture took on a new
meaning, and whereas before the ‘justice of
God’ had filled me with hate, now it became
to me inexpressibly sweet in greater love.”
A Passive Righteousness
17. Martin Luther (1483-1546)
Johann Tetzel
Indulgences had arisen in the
Middle Ages as a means to earn
remission for sins, first preached by
Pope Urban II in 1095 to those who
would participate in a crusade.
21. Martin Luther (1483-1546)
"For [God] will reward every man according to his works: to those
who by perseverance in working good seek for glory and honor
and immortality, he will give eternal life. There will be . . . glory
and honor and peace for every one who does good...”
Galatians 6
26. Free Will ?
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
“...free will without God’s grace is not free at all, but is the
permanent prisoner and bond slave of evil...”
The Bondage of the Will
“Let all the 'free-will' in the world do all it can
with all its strength; it will never give rise to a
single instance of ability to avoid being
hardened if God does not give the Spirit, or of
meriting mercy if it is left to its own strength.”
27. Free Will ?
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
The Bondage of the Will
“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—
not because of anything we have done but
because of his own purpose and grace.
This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before
the beginning of time...” (2 Timothy 1: 9)
28. Free Will ?
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
The Bondage of the Will
Limited Free Will
is no better than
No Free Will.
We have
Limited
Free Will.
29. Free Will ?
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
The Bondage of the Will
“Hence: If we believe that Satan is the prince of this world, ever
ensnaring and fighting against the kingdom of Christ with all his
powers; and that he does not let go his captives without being
forced by the Divine Power of the Spirit; it is manifest, that there
can be no such thing as ‘Free-will!’
“Again: If we believe that original sin has so destroyed us, that
even in the godly who are led by the Spirit, it causes the utmost
molestation by striving against that which is good; it is manifest,
that there can be nothing left in a man devoid of the Spirit, which
can turn itself towards good, but which must turn towards evil!”
30. How was Martin Luther like a
Disney Princess?
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
Martin Luther
31. Free Will ?
A Passive & Alien Righteousness
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
“Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It
is God who justifies.” (Romans 8)
Imputed Righteousness
“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us,
so that in him we might become the
righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5)
32. Free Will ?
A Passive & Alien Righteousness
Both Righteous & Sinner
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
simul iustus et peccator
35. Sin Boldly?
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
“...Be a sinner, and sin boldly, but let your
trust in Christ be stronger, and rejoice in
Christ who is the victor over sin, death, and
the world...”
36. Sin Boldly?
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
“...Be a sinner, and sin boldly, but let your
trust in Christ be stronger, and rejoice in
Christ who is the victor over sin, death, and
the world...”
Clearly, in context of the rest of his writings,
this is not granting permission to sin.
37. Free Will ?
A Passive & Alien Righteousness
Both Righteous & Sinner
Monergism
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
38. Free Will ?
A Passive & Alien Righteousness
Both Righteous & Sinner
Monergism
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
Monergism: One Worker
Synergism: Working Together
39. Free Will ?
A Passive & Alien Righteousness
Both Righteous & Sinner
Monergism
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
“For it is by grace you have been saved,
through faith—and this is not from
yourselves, it is the gift of God...”
(Ephesians 2)
40. Free Will ?
A Passive & Alien Righteousness
Both Righteous & Sinner
Monergism
Predestination
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
“For he chose us in him before the creation of
the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
In love he predestined us...” (Ephesians 1)
41. Free Will ?
A Passive & Alien Righteousness
Both Righteous & Sinner
Monergism
Predestination
Justification & Sanctification
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
42. Sanctification
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
"He dwells in our hearts by such faith and purifies us daily by
His own proper work.”
The Spirit purifies us.
We continuously struggle every day, all our
lives.
With Our Faith and God’s Grace we can have
a continuous victory over the Flesh.
43. Luther’s Fear
I can’t be good enough.
God is an Angry Judge.
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
Purgatory
Hell - lose of salvation
Sometimes I hate God!
44. Martin Luther (1483-1546)
Luther’s Hope
God is not out to Condemn me,
but to Justify me.
Its not on me.
I am still a Sinner.
By Faith, not by Effort!
Jesus covers for me.
45. Martin Luther (1483-1546)
Justification?
It is God who Justifies me.
I am given Christ’s Righteousness. Luther is reluctant to
admit that we become Righteous in Justification.
I can do nothing for my Justification.
Fasting, works, penance, charity...
do not earn me Justification
(Sanctification).
48. Council of Trent (1545-1563)
The Intentions of the Council
To distinguish Catholic teachings from
that of the Reformers.
It was not concerned with settling inner
Catholic disputes about doctrine.
49. Council of Trent (1545-1563)
The Intentions of the Council
Chapters and Canons
50. Council of Trent (1545-1563)
SESSION VI, CHAPTER V.
“...the beginning of the said Justification is to be derived from the
prevenient grace of God, through Jesus Christ, that is to say, from
His vocation, whereby, without any merits existing on their parts,
they are called; that so they, who by sins were alienated from God,
may be disposed through His quickening and assisting grace, to
convert themselves to their own justification, by freely assenting to
and co-operating with that said grace...
51. Council of Trent (1545-1563)
SESSION VI, CHAPTER V.
“... while God touches the heart of man by the illumination of the
Holy Spirit, neither is man himself utterly without doing anything
while he receives that inspiration, forasmuch as he is also able to
reject it; yet is he not able, by his own free will, without the grace of
God, to move himself unto justice in His sight. Whence, when it is
said in the sacred writings: Turn ye to me, and I will turn to you...”
52. Council of Trent (1545-1563)
SESSION VI, CHAPTER VIII.
“...whereas the Apostle saith, that man is justified by faith and
freely, those words are to be understood in that sense which the
perpetual consent of the Catholic Church hath held and expressed;
to wit, that we are therefore said to be justified by faith, because
faith is the beginning of human salvation, the foundation, and the
root of all Justification; without which it is impossible to please
God, and to come unto the fellowship of His sons: but we are
therefore said to be justified freely, because that none of those
things which precede justification-whether faith or works-merit the
grace itself of justification. For, if it be a grace, it is not now by
works, otherwise, as the same Apostle says, grace is no more grace.
53. Council of Trent (1545-1563)
SESSION VI, CHAPTER X.
“...as the Apostle says, day by day; that is, by mortifying the
members of their own flesh, and by presenting them as instruments
of justice unto sanctification..., faith co-operating with good works,
increase in that justice which they have received through the grace
of Christ, and are still further justified, as it is written; He that is
just, let him be justified still; and again, Be not afraid to be justified
even to death; and also, Do you see that by works a man is justified,
and not by faith only. And this increase of justification holy Church
begs, when she prays, "Give unto us, O Lord, increase of faith,
hope, and charity.”
54. Council of Trent (1545-1563)
SESSION VI, CANON I
If any one saith, that man may be justified before God by his own
works, whether done through the teaching of human nature, or that
of the law, without the grace of God through Jesus Christ; let him be
anathema.
55. Council of Trent (1545-1563)
SESSION VI, CANON IX
If any one saith, that by faith alone the impious is justified; in such
wise as to mean, that nothing else is required to co-operate in order
to the obtaining the grace of Justification, and that it is not in any
way necessary, that he be prepared and disposed by the movement
of his own will; let him be anathema.
56. Council of Trent (1545-1563)
“By grace you are saved,”
So now,
By grace, “workout your salvation
with fear and trembling.”
The issue is not Justification by Faith,
The issue is Justification by Faith ALONE (sola).
Sanctification was included within the concept of Justification.
Sanctification was included within the concept of Justification.
Luther’s Paradox
The key work is “ALONE”
Theology does influence translations.
ML said he would give his Doctor’s hat to anyone who cold solve this.
Phonetic Spelling: (dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay)
Both words have become technical terms beyond their use in Scripture.
Approval, i.e. right conduct towards people and God.
Note: FEAR, Patron Saint, Making a deal with God.
Luther FEARED the Wrath of God.
He could not find peace through good works.
Deep down he knew that he was still a sinner.
This Changed Luther!
A spiritual Copernican Revolution.
This Changed Luther!
A spiritual Copernican Revolution.
The Angry Judge was actually on his side.
Pope Leo X wanted to build the world’s largest cathedral (St. Peters)
He needed money, and thus sent out fundraisers, i.e. Tetzel.
One of Tetzel’s Inexpensive Indulgences.
The theology of the Indulgence followed the practice.
Baptism washes away all previous sin, BUT, what about Post-Baptismal Sins,, i.e. New Sins?
This became a debated topic in the ancient Church.
Satisfaction: Repair the wrong, Make amends, Demonstrate Sorrow…
Prayer, Sacrifice, Service…
Rewards for Good Works,
Merit can be used in Penance.
Christ and the Saints have left an Excess of Merit.
The Church has these and can grant Merit to others for Penance.
Giving $ to the Poor counts as Merit, so does giving to the Church.
For a donation that will be used to build a Cathedral
Luther’s Response.
God grants Forgiveness Freely.
Indulgences give a False Impression of Forgiveness.
Similar to Augustine’s Dilemma.
Any will that you might have is overcome by sin.
Bondage was written in opposition to Erasmus’ writings on Free Will.
Why is this important?
Because I can do nothing to earn justification.
The Bondage for the Will makes it impossible to earn – merit – justification (righteousness).
The Will is powerless. Justification MUST come from God because it CANNOT come from me.
Total Depravity.
Paul’s statement, “That which I want to do I do not do…” REF
So, Who is in the Driver’s Seat?
Luther’s analogy of a Donkey (our will) being ridden (controlled) by the Devil, or by God.
He needed to be rescued !
He could not be righteous himself.
My Will is Unwilling to turn to God.
Christ is our Righteousness, an Alien Righteousness.
It is a work of God, not us, and not a cooperative effort.
“Imputed”: a Trade, My Sin for Christ’s Righteousness.
A Justified Sinner, a Righteous Sinner.
Simultaneously righteous and sinner.
Oxymoron, a Righteous Sinner.
Hypocrite !
From a fragment of a letter written to Phil Melanchthon (1521).
I am still a Sinner! (Admit it Freely). Covered by Christ’s Righteousness.
Hyperbole ? Did he encourage, “sin so that grace would abound”?
Accept that you are both a sinner (and righteous).
You are a sinner, and still a sinner, even though are Righteous!
From a fragment of a letter written to Phil Melanchthon (1521).
Hyperbole ?
Accept that you are both a sinner (and righteous).
You are a sinner! Now, trust in Christ who is stronger!
Monergism: God is active, we are passive.
We are being saved.
God is active, we are passive.
We are being saved.
God is making me Holy.
Based on God’s Choice, not on his Foreknowledge.
Its not that you Can’t choose God, its that you Won't. That is the Human Predicament.
Luther is often criticized for not developing his views on Sanctification.
John Wesley, among others, criticized him on this.
For Luther, not surprisingly, Sanctification is passive just as Justification is passive.
Luther did not divide these two as Lutherans would soon do.
Sanctification is passive just as Justification is passive.
Martin Luther on Sanctification by Elmer L. Towns, quoting Luther, Werke, op. cit., p. 160.
https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/58825241.pdf
SUMMARY
I Can’t do it.
SUMMARY
Luther’s view of God changed.
Imputed Righteousness, it is Christ’s (Alien). Sin Boldly.
I remain a Justified Sinner. No Righteous Saints.
Can I Lose my salvation, according to Luther, Yes!
If you believe your salvation is achieved by your efforts you are not Saved!
Through God’s Spirit and Grace we are able to produce Good Works,
But these Works do not earn us Favor with God, because they are of God’s Grace.
I am not Made Righteous by my Good Works, but my Good Works Reveal my Righteousness.
Our Good Works DO PLEASE GOD! Bu they do not earn us a better standing before God.
So, it was not trying to clarify, What is the Truth.
It was clarifying, What is wrong with the Reformer's teachings.
http://www.thecounciloftrent.com/ch6.htm
Prevenient (pre-Veen-yent) Grace: It begins with the grace of God, before human decision.
We are called without having merit.
Through God’s grace we are able to turn to him. His Quickening and Assisting Grace, to enable them to Convert themselves.
Synergism!
Again, we participate.
So much for Calvin’s Irresistible Grace.
Without Grace we are not able to turn to God.
Zechariah 1: 3 quoted.
Grace opens the Door, But, I still decide whether to enter or not.
Faith is the beginning, not the entirety of Justification.
McGrath calls this section, Second Justification
Synergism, “Faith co-operating”.
Also, Justification is not a onetime event.
Contra-Luther
Your Works do Impact your Process of Justification.
You do earn Reward (Merit), you can become a better (more holy) Person.
“By Grace you are Saved”, i.e. you get your foot in the door, AND…
By Grace you are Saved”, i.e. you work out your salvation, in cooperation with God.
"Justification is not only the remission of sins, but also the sanctification and renewal of the interior man.”
Philipp Melanchthon will become open to Synergism.
Calvin will discuss the ramifications of being “Grafted” onto Christ.
Of course the Joint Declaration is coming up.