The Doctrine of Justification: An Outline of Its History in the Church and of Its Exposition from Scripture
Overview
Has the doctrine of justification always been held by the church, or was it a product of the Reformation? Was it clearly recognized prior to the Reformation? James Buchanan's landmark work on justification brings the full scope of church history to bear on the subject.
Has the doctrine of justification always been held by the church, or was it a product of the Reformation? Was it clearly recognized prior to the Reformation? In the pages of our current title, James Buchanan answers:
"The question, therefore is not, - Whether all the Fathers taught the doctrine of justification in its original purity, nor even whether any one of the Fathers was entirely exempt from the corruptions which were gradually growing up in the Church; but simply, whether the doctrine of justification by grace, through faith in the merits of Christ, may not be traced in the writings of some witnesses for the truth, along the whole line of the Church's history; and whether some true believers were not nourished and refreshed by it, even in the most degenerate times? We answer this question in the affirmative, by adducing testimonies from the Fathers of every succeeding age; and in doing so, we refer to them, not as authorities in matters of faith, but simply as witnesses to a matter of fact."
In his clear and rational way, Buchanan provides a work on justification that is essential to the study thereof.
Top Highlights
“Proposition I. Justification is a legal, or forensic, term, and is used in Scripture to denote the acceptance of any one as righteous in the sight of God.” (Page 226)
“The real question at issue is,—not whether Justification be judicial or moral,—for it must be judicial even when it rests on moral grounds,—but whether a sinner is accepted on the ground of a righteousness vicarious and imputed, or of a righteousness infused and inherent?” (Page 228)
“By Justification we mean—man’s acceptance with God, or his being regarded and treated as righteous in His sight—as the object of His favour, and not of His wrath; of His blessing, and not of His curse.” (Page 17)
“In regard to the Nature of Justification, or what that is which is denoted by the term in Scripture, the fundamental error of the Church of Rome consisted in confounding it with Sanctification.” (Page 114)
“Prop. II. While ‘Justification’ is a forensic or judicial term, it is used in Scripture to denote, sometimes the acceptance of a sinner as righteous in the sight of God,—sometimes the manifestation or proof of his acceptance, by which it is attested and made sure: and this variety in the application of it is the ground of an important theological distinction,—the distinction between actual and declarative Justification.” (Page 233)
This work has a clear evangelical emphasis. It is thoroughly grounded in the Scriptures, and stresses the imputation of the righteousness of Christ to the believer.
—Cyril Barber
- Title: The Doctrine of Justification: An Outline of Its History in the Church and of Its Exposition from Scripture
- Author: James Buchanan
- Publisher: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
- Publication Date: 2008
- Pages: 514
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