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'''Justification''' is the [[doctrine]] that [[God]] pardons, accepts, and declares a sinner to be "just" on the basis of Christ's righteousness (Rom 3:24-26; 4:25; 5:15-21) which results in God's peace (Rom 5:1), His Spirit (Rom 8:4), and [[salvation]]. Justification is by grace through faith in [[Jesus Christ]] apart from all works and merit of the sinner (cf. Rom 1:18-3:28). {{Multimedia| content= * [http://www.sbts.edu/MP3/Speakers/20000216seifrid.mp3 Justification by Faith], by Mark Seifrid (SBTS) * Justification According to Paul ([http://216.176.228.162:9037/ramgen/gheens2000/20000418gheens1.rm Part 1], [http://216.176.228.162:9037/ramgen/gheens2000/20000419gheens.rm Part 2]) (Real Audio), by Peter Stuhlmacher * [http://www.trinitylectures.org/MP3/hh._XI_Justification.mp3 Of Justification] (MP3), by Gordon H. Clark * [http://www.believerschapeldallas.org/audio/slj-69_systematic-theology/046_SLJ_69_32K.mp3 Riches of Divine Grace: Justification] (MP3), by S. Lewis Johnson * [http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/content/files/CWS/CWS_Dr_Tom_Schreiner.mp3 The Doctrine of Justification] (MP3), by [[Thomas Schreiner]] * Adam, Christ, and Justification ( [http://www.desiringgod.org/download.php?file=http://www.desiringgod.org/media/audio/2000/20000618.mp3 Part I], [http://www.desiringgod.org/download.php?file=http://www.desiringgod.org/media/audio/2000/20000625.mp3 Part II], [http://www.desiringgod.org/download.php?file=http://www.desiringgod.org/media/audio/2000/20000702.mp3 Part III], [http://www.desiringgod.org/download.php?file=http://www.desiringgod.org/media/audio/2000/20000820.mp3 Part IV], [http://www.desiringgod.org/download.php?file=http://www.desiringgod.org/media/audio/2000/20000827.mp3 Part V]) (mp3), By John Piper * [http://www.desiringgod.org/download.php?file=http://www.desiringgod.org/media/audio/2007/20071114.mp3 Justification and the Diminishing Work of Christ], by John Piper (MP3), Crossway lecture at [[ETS]] (Nov 15, 2007) * [http://theologynetwork.org/christian-beliefs/justification/starting-out/table-talk-4--justification.htm Interview on Justification] (MP3), Mike Reeves with [[John Piper]] }}__TOC__ {{stub}} == The instrumental cause of justification: Faith == {{sectionstub}} {{mainpage|[[Faith]]}} == The act of justification == === One-time act === Justification is a legal act, wherein God deems the sinner righteous on the basis of Christ's righteousness. Unlike [[Sanctification]], Justification is not a process, but is a one-time act, complete and definitive. The word ''justification'' is not always used in the same sense. Some even speak of a fourfold justification as a justification from eternity, a justification from the resurrection, a justification in final judgment – as these are all true.[http://www.seeking4truth.com/21.htm] === Double imputation === God's act of justification may be seen to involve a double [[imputation]]. On the one hand, the sin and guilt of the believer are imputed to Christ. On the other hand, the righteousness of Christ is imputed to the believer, whereby he is declared righteous. {{mainpage|[[Double imputation]]}} === Forgiveness and adoption === Justification is seen in two parts: (1) The sinner is forgiven on the basis of Christ's righteousness. The pardon does not merely cover sins already committed – but reaches to all sins. (2) The sinner is adopted as a child of God. God places them within his household, giving them all the rights of heirs and children (Rom 8:17, 1 Peter 1:4). == Helpful quotes == * '''Q. 33. What is justification?''' A. Justification is an act of God's free grace, wherein he pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone. Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 33 * "The relationship of entailment between A [faith] and B [works] may be any of several kinds. A entails B if A and B are identical; If A then B is a valid inference by the law of identity. By causation, A entails B if A is a necessary and sufficient condition of B: If A then B. A. Therefore B” is a valid inference by modus ponens. By inclusion, A entails B if all A are B, even if not all B are A: All A are B. C is A. Therefore C is B is a valid inference by modus ponens. [With regard to faith and works, what matters] is whether the entailment is that of identity, cause, or inclusion. The first equates faith and works and destroys the whole Biblical teaching of justification by faith alone apart from the works of the law (Romans 3:28). The third subsumes works under faith and likewise destroys sola fide. Only the second maintains the Biblical distinction between faith and works and the Biblical doctrine that works are the necessary consequence of faith and so upholds the Biblical teaching of justification by faith alone apart from the works of the law." Calvin Beisner, Norman Shepherd and the Faith that Justifies, Knox Theological Seminary Chapel, October 22, 2002 [http://www.ecalvinbeisner.com/freearticles/WhatIstheFaiththatJustifies.pdf] ==Resources== * ''Faith Alone: The Evangelical Doctrine of Justification'', by [[R.C. Sproul]], Baker, 1999 (ISBN 080105849X) * ''The God Who Justifies'', by [[James White]] (ISBN 0764222880) * ''Justification: What's at Stake in the Current Debates'', ed. by [[Mark Husbands]] & [[Daniel Treier]], IVP, 2004 (ISBN 0830827811) * ''The Justification Reader'', by [[Thomas C. Oden]], Eerdmans, 2002 (ISBN 0802839665) ==See also== * [[Sola fide]] * [[Forgiveness]] * [[Faith]] * [[Imputation]] * [[Sanctification]] * [[Eternal justification]] * [[Final justification]] ==External links== * [http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3817/is_199712/ai_n8773936/print Reflections on salvation and justification in the New Testament], by [[D.A. Carson]] (JETS) * [http://www.ctsfw.edu/events/symposia/papers/sym2006westerholm.pdf Justification by Faith is the Answer: What is the Question?] (pdf), by [[Stephen Westerholm]] * [http://www.geocities.com/the_theologian/content/doctrine/jensen.html Why is Justification so Important?], by Peter F. Jensen * [http://www.biblebb.com/files/MAC/justification.htm Long Before Luther: Jesus and the Doctrine of Justification], by [[John MacArthur]] * [http://reformedperspectives.org/newfiles/fra_turretin/TH.Turretin.justification.html Justification: Forensic or Moral?], by [[Francis Turretin]] * [http://www.gracecarlisle.org.uk/books/Buchanan/6.pdf The Doctrine of Justification] (PDF), by James Buchanan - An Outline of its History in the Church and of its Exposition from Scripture [[Category:Salvation]]

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