Lutherna View of Church and State

LESSON SEVEN

2006-2007

JUSTIFICATION

I. Definition of “Justifying Faith”: Introduction (p. 499).

A. Before completing definition, must first divide the name.

1. A certain general faith, commonly called “historical faith.”

a. Deals with the Biblical stories.

b. Also, because deals in general way that all things revealed in Word are true.

2. The faith of miracles.

a. 1Co 13:2.

b. Ac 14:8-10.

c. This faith, in itself, does not justify.

(1) Mt 7:22,23.

(2) Lk 10:17-20.

3. There is also “dead faith”.

a. Jas 2:14-19.

b. Is hypocritical, false, pretended.

c. Mt 13:21. ((lit.: “but is transitory”)

(1) Convinced by outward signs so that they cannot contradict them but are forced to conclude facts are true.

(2) A knowledge established by human reason.

4. There is also “legal faith”.

a. M. Chemnitz says it is also an “evangelical faith”.

b. Is concerned only with temporal promises, etc.

B. There is also a difference between:

1. A definition referring to the name, and

2. A definition referring to the substance.

3. Many general descriptions are not complete definitions, e.g.

a. Augustine: “Faith is a virtue...”

b. Dionysius: “Faith is the one foundation of the believers...”

c. Suidas: “Faith is hope regarding things which are not evident to the senses.”

d. Valuable for some uses, but fail to establish what justifying is. (p. 500).

C. We seek definition of what justifying faith properly is.

D. Nor is question how faith exerts its power in renewal or is efficacious through love.

II. Common Definition (per Melanchthon). (p. 500).

A. “To assent to the entire Word of God as it has been set forth for us,

B. and particularly to the free promise of reconciliation given for the sake of Christ the Mediator.

C. And it is trust in the mercy of God promised for the sake of Christ the Mediator.

D. For trust is an action or movement of the will which necessarily responds to assent.

E. Faith is also the power of laying hold on the promises and applying them to oneself.

F. It quiets the heart...” (p. 489).

III. Examination of Common Definition.

A. Entire Word of God. (p. 500).

1. We do not exclude other parts of heavenly doctrine when say that proper object of faith is the promise of grace.

2. The sum, goal and boundary of all Scripture is Christ in His office as Mediator.

a. Lk 24:27,44.

b. Ro 10:4.

B. Free promise of reconciliation. (p. 501).

1. Word divided into Law and Gospel.

2. Law’s purposes.

3. Object of justifying faith is promise of benefits of Christ the Mediator.

4. Ro 3:21,22.

C. Trust in the mercy of God for sake of Christ. (p. 501).

1. Scripture uses 3 important words in Greek, all meaning “received” or “took”. (elabon; katelabon; parelabon)

2. e.g. Col 2:6. (parelabete)

3. e.g. Ro 5:11. (elabomen)

4. The apprehension of the promise of grace is the formal cause or principle of justifying faith.

5. Justified by faith.

a. Not because it is so firm, robust and perfect.

b. Because of the Object on which it lays hold.

c. e.g. Mk 9:24.

d. Spiritual struggles, whether as to area of assent, desire or trust.

(1) Not signs of unbelief.

(2) Are true marks of living and efficacious faith.

D. Action of the will. (p. 503).

1. Faith is the mind and in the will or heart.

2. Whatever applies to the subject, the emotions, and the powers of the mind, applies equally to the will.

E. Laying hold on the promises. (p. 503).

1. A gift and work of the Holy Spirit.

2. These two concur.

a. God offering, giving and pouring out in Word and sacrament.

b. Faith apprehending and receiving.

3. When 2 joined together, we truly have justifying faith.

F. The final cause or goal of justifying faith. (p. 503).

1. Ro 1:17.

2. Ro 10:10.

3. 1Pe 1:8, 9.

4. Ro 5:1, 2.

IV. Question concerning doubt. (p. 505).

A. Papists taught that sinner can not and must not stand in sure confidence that he is in grace and that his sins have been remitted.

B. Papists included doubt as a virtue.

C. Is a confusion of Law and Gospel.

D. To doubt concerning God’s promises is to call God a liar.

E. Eph 1:13,14.

F. Doubt is condemned, e.g. Mt 14:31.

G. True humility to recognize our lack of merit.