DOCSLIB.ORG

The Pastoral Care of Killers

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Pastoral Care of Killers Seelsorger Volume 4 A Word to Sheepdogs a century ago the vacant stares of young doughboys returning from the hell-holes of the trenches in France were telltale signs of what was then labeled “shell shock.” In every war since, those who endure the atrocities of warfare have shown various degrees of the same phenomenon. Now we give it a more sophisticated label: “post traumatic stress disorder.” Most soldiers, Christian or not, need help coping with their wartime experiences. Dr. Maj. (ret.) Harold Ristau, who pastored soldiers on the battlefelds of Afghanistan as a chaplain in the Canadian Armed Forces, charts the direction for responsible pastoral care of those who answer the call to take life in order to protect life. Outlining the parameters of Luther’s masterful “Two Kingdoms” theology derived from Augustine’s magisterial The City of God, Harold Ristau lays a foundation for responsible pastoral care of deployed soldiers and veterans alike. God calls on certain citizens to defend life by taking the lives of would-be attackers. Yet you can’t just walk away from killing someone as if nothing has happened. A theologian of the cross calls a thing what it actually is, Dr. Luther reminded us. Careful pastoral care never whitewashes sin and shame, but erases it in the shed blood of Jesus. For good measure, Pastor Ristau provides several instances of how he treated souls burdened with the residue of the fog of war. Reading this essay will help you immensely — whether you’ve ever pulled a trigger on another fellow human or merely are called to convey a clean conscience to those who are dealing with the spiritual aftermath of that terrible (yet essential) God-given vocation. Dr. H. L. Senkbeil 76 The Pastoral Care of Killers The Pastoral Care of Killers: The utility of Luther’s theology of the two kingdoms to the moral, spiritual and psychological considerations of engaging in a just war Harold Ristau Adapted from a keynote lecture delivered in ntioninette Dominican College Department of Philosophy, “On Christian Killing” during their annual Symposium on Just War Theory. ost pastors serve at least a couple of soldiers or veterans in their congregations. Counseling them requires not so much a unique set of Mskills as it does a mature appreciation for the complexity involved in our con- ficting vocational identities. Christian soldiers suffer a unique set of chal- lenges when recovering from the experiences of war, such as killing. As a retired military chaplain who has served extensively as a frst responder and counselor in the Middle East, having also spent several years in the train- ing system exploring the way soldiers are trained to cope with the mental and spiritual consequences of being killers, I have found Dr. Martin Luther’s observations regarding the relationship between the two kingdoms to be an indispensable tool in offering this kind of pastoral care and counseling. Whether Soldiers, Too, Can Be Saved The issues that soldiers face today with regards to their identity as killers were very much the same during the late medieval period, when Luther was prompted to write Whether Soldiers, Too, Can Be Saved in 1526. Most people think Luther’s main opponent was the Pope, but he was equally 77 Seelsorger Volume 4 critical of what we would today call Luther’s view of the two kingdoms “generic Protestantism.” He was not helps answer the question as to a radical reformer. His reformation whether there is a moral or Christian was a conservative one in that it piv- way of killing. In doing so, we must oted around one single question of delve into questions of Luther on vo- doctrine. In fact, he was sometimes cation, which is highly infuenced by viewed by colleagues as a “papist” St. Augustine. I suppose the wider due to his conservative approach to question is: considering the com- church and polity regarding sacra- plexities of being a soldier, can Chris- ments, liturgy, governance, and so tian theology help a soldier reconcile forth. Yet it was his view of forensic the obvious timeless metaphysical justifcation or imputed righteous- contradictions inherent to soldier- ness that distinguished him from ing and war, while also offering them the Roman concept of grace as an practical tools in coping with the infused righteousness (that is, that struggles of conscience, when mani- I cannot one spiritually progresses through a fested in individual guilt and lack of count stratum of increasing degrees of ho- faith in the mission, and if so, how? liness). Luther’s belief that sinners The frst half of this paper focuses on how many were declared completely righteous Luther’s theology of two kingdoms soldiers by Christ as the basis for salvation and its origins, while the second half have said or distinguished him not only from on the practical applications to war implied to Rome, but from other protestant and soldiering. movements as well. If individuals Whether Soldiers, Too, Can Be me, “Padre, were truly saved by grace without Saved was written to a counselor to what does anything worthy to point to within a protestant duke who appears to themselves, Luther believed that his God think have been troubled in conscience forensic understanding of justifca- and unable to reconcile his confes- about what tion was the only option. Both the sion of the Christian faith with his I do for a Roman Catholics’ view of salvation profession as a soldier. The pacifst and the non-Lutheran protestant living?” Anabaptists took the position that a understanding of salvation (contin- Christian could not bear arms under gent upon some version of fulflling any circumstances asking: “How can the requirements of the law in sanc- a Christian practice such obviously tifcation), demonstrated a huge unholy and ‘unchristian’ jobs?” I difference in this regard. The con- cannot count how many soldiers fessional writings of the Lutheran have said or implied to me, “Padre, church clearly demarcate the early what does God think about what I do Lutherans from both camps, as they for a living?” perceived the same error ironically manifested: confusion of the two Years ago, in Afghanistan, I served realms of faith and works, or two as chaplain for numerous helicopter kinds of righteousness, with serious repair technicians who saw noth- soteriological consequences. Yet in ing of war outside of a hangar, but the case of ethics and war Luther struggled intensely with their role in was much more allied with Roman contributing to a war effort in which Catholics, and against the Anabap- they were no longer sure they could tist protestants. support, based on lack of situational awareness coupled with constant exposure to one-sided media report- 78 The Pastoral Care of Killers age. But even in the case of a just (Rom 13:1) and does not want war, the questions were always re- men to say or think that they have duced to how one can live with an invented it or instituted it. For the ethic of love, or North American val- hand that wields this sword and ues, and yet help shoot other peo- kills with it is not man’s hand, but ple. I think we could all agree that God’s; and it is not man, but God, the question is worth losing some who hangs, tortures, beheads, sleep over. kills, and fghts. All these are 1 Yet Martin Luther responds with the God’s works and judgments. classic argument of war as legalized use of violence as a necessary evil A Holy Ofce in maintaining order. Luther affrms Luther continues by discussing how the legitimacy of the military profes- a soldier must execute his God-given sion by identifying it with the divine offce assuming that “it’s a dirty job institution of the sword to punish but someone must do it.” Although evil, protect the good, and preserve the argument is not unique, the way peace. Now Luther candidly ad- that Luther justifes it is. He not only mits that the military calling can be tolerates the position of soldier but abused, but misuse by no means in- exalts it to the level of a holy offce/ validates its legitimacy and function. vocation/calling in the way he sees Luther views just war in terms of self people as instruments of God even defense (which would include, today, in killing!2 In late medieval Catholi- pre-emptive strikes) and applies the cism, if priesthood was the highest same logic to justifcation of violence offce in the spiritual strata, soldier- by police forces. After all, a ruler is ing or executing would have tied at charged by God to defend and pro- the bottom with peasantry. Among tect his people when they are at- Anabaptists, it disqualifed you from tacked, and to do this he needs sol- the heavenly kingdom since Jesus diers who serve him: preached forgiveness, not revenge, What men write about war, say- turn the other cheek, and so forth. ing that it is a great plague, is all But the way in which Luther makes true. But they should also con- distinctions between the person sider how great the plague is that and the offce that he holds, ac- war prevents. If people were good companied by the corollaries of his and wanted to keep peace, war forensic justifcation (such as the would be the greatest plague on principle of universal priesthood), al- earth. But what are you going to lows him to elevate these offces as do about the fact that people will places equally dignifed as those of not keep the peace, but rob, steal, clergy.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Martin Luther and Justification by Faith
    July 31, 2011 Martin Luther and Justification by Faith His life 1483 Born 1501 Luther begins study at University of Erfurt 1502 Receives Baccalaureate in the Liberal Arts 1505 Receives Master of Arts; plans for law school 1505 Caught in a thunderstorm, pledges to become a monk 1505 Enters Augustinian monastery at Erfurt 1506 Takes monastic vows 1507 Ordained priest 1512 Begins work as Professor of Theology at University of Wittenburg 1514 Becomes priest of Wittenberg's City Church 1517 October 31- Posts 95 Theses on the castle church door 1518-20 Inquisition on Luther in Rome 1520 Papal bull Exsurge Domine issued (June 15) 1520 Luther burns bull and canon law with students 1521 Excommunicated in Rome 1521 Diet of Worms 1521 Kidnapped and taken to Wartburg Castle 1546 Death Justification by Faith Alone “This doctrine is the head and the cornerstone. It alone begets, nourishes, builds, preserves, and defends the church of God; and without it the church of God cannot exist for one hour." “Whoever departs from the article of justification does not know God and is an idolater . For when this article has been taken away, nothing remains but error, hypocrisy, godlessness, and idolatry, although it may seem to be the height of truth, worship of God, holiness, etc.” “If the article of justification is lost, all Christian doctrine is lost at the same time.” If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? (Psa 130:3) "The righteous shall live by faith." (Rom 1:17) The Roman Catholic view of justification “Justification is not only the remission of sins, but also the sanctification and renewal of the interior man.” - There are two steps to justification o The first (initial) justification occurs at baptism, which eradicates both the guilt and corruption of original sin.
    [Show full text]
  • In Defense of the Development of Augustine's Doctrine of Grace By
    In Defense of the Development of Augustine’s Doctrine of Grace by Laban Omondi Agisa Submitted to the faculty of the School of Theology of the University of the South in Partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Sacred Theology January 2020 Sewanee, Tennessee Approved ____________________________ _______________ Adviser Date ____________________________ _______________ Second Adviser Date 2 DECLARATION I declare that this is my original work and has not been presented in any other institution for consideration of any certification. This work has been complemented by sources duly acknowledged and cited using Chicago Manual Style. Signature Date 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT My study of theology was initiated in 2009 by the then Provost of St. Stephens Cathedral, Nairobi, the late Ven. Canon John Ndung’u who was a great encouragement to me. This was further made possible through my bishop the Rt. Rev. Joel Waweru and the Rev. Geoffrey Okapisi who were sources of inspiration. My studies at Carlile College (Church Army Africa) and St. Paul’s University laid a strong theological foundation and I appreciate among others the influence of the Rev. Dr. John Kiboi who introduced me to Philosophy, Systematic Theology, Ethics, and African Christian Theology that eventually became the foundation for my studies at the University of the South. I also appreciate the encouragement of my lecturers Mrs. Tabitha Waweru and Dr. Scholarstica Githinji during my Study of Education at Kenya Technical Trainers College and at Daystar University respectively. My interest in this topic came as a result of many sittings with two professors at the University of the South, Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • The Doctrines of Saint Augustine (Bishop of Hippo – Died A.D
    The Doctrines of Saint Augustine (Bishop of Hippo – died A.D. 430) Purgatory “That there should be some fire even after this life is not incredible, and it can be inquired into and either be discovered or left hidden whether some of the faithful may be saved, some more slowly and some more quickly in the greater or lesser degree in which they loved the good things that perish, through a certain purgatorial fire.” Handbook on Faith, Hope, and Charity 18:69. A.D. 421 "We read in the books of the Maccabees [2 Maccabees 12:43] that sacrifice was offered for the dead. But even if it were found nowhere in the Old Testament writings, the authority of the Catholic Church which is clear on this point is of no small weight, where in the prayers of the priest poured forth to the Lord God at his altar the commendation of the dead has its place" The Care to be Had for the Dead 1:3 A.D. 421 Old Testament Canon of Scripture "The whole canon of the scriptures, however, in which we say that consideration is to be applied, is contained in these books: the five of Moses . and one book of Joshua [Son of] Nave, one of Judges; one little book which is called Ruth . then the four of Kingdoms, and the two of Paralipomenon . [T]here are also others too, of a different order . such as Job and Tobit and Esther and Judith and the two books of Maccabees, and the two of Esdras . Then there are the prophets, in which there is one book of the Psalms of David, and three of Solomon.
    [Show full text]
  • Johann Gerhard, the Socinians, and Modern Rejections of Substitutionary Atonement Jack D
    CONCORDIA THEOLOGICAL QUARTERLY Volume 82:1–2 January/April 2018 Table of Contents Is Law Intrinsic to God’s Essence? David P. Scaer ................................................................................................... 3 Johann Gerhard, the Socinians, and Modern Rejections of Substitutionary Atonement Jack D. Kilcrease ............................................................................................. 19 Luther on Vocation and Baptism: A Correction to Charismatic and Situational Ways of Discerning God’s Call Benjamin T. G. Mayes ................................................................................... 45 Paradise Regained: Placing Nicholas Hopman’s Lex Aeterna Back in Luther’s Frame Nathan Rinne .................................................................................................. 65 The Theology of the Cross and the Lutheran Confessions Andrew J. Preus .............................................................................................. 83 The Catholic Paul: Allegory and Perspicuity in Irenaeus’s Reading of Scripture James G. Bushur ........................................................................................... 105 God Is My Strength and My Song: History and Practice of Old Testament Canticles Andrew Gerike .............................................................................................. 127 2 Concordia Theological Quarterly 82 (2018) Research Notes ...........................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Alien Righteousness? a Re-Examination of the Idea That Believers Are Clothed in the Righteousness of Christ
    ¯Title Page Alien Righteousness? A Re-examination Of The Idea That Believers Are Clothed In The Righteousness Of Christ Roderick Graciano And it was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Revelation 19.8 i Copyright Notices King James Version of the English Bible, © 1997 by the Online Bible Foundation and Woodside Fellowship of Ontario, Canada. The New American Standard Bible, © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. The Holy Bible: New International Version, © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. The New King James Version, © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. All Scripture citations are from The New American Standard Bible, © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, (abbreviated NAU in the narrative) unless otherwise noted. Other versions are normally identified in superscript abbreviation at the verse citation. Because The New American Standard Bible uses italics to identify words and phrases that are not in the original language text, emphasis is occasionally added in this work by using bold type. Permission Permission is hereby given to quote, copy and distribute all or a portion of Alien Righteousness? so long as no portion of it is sold nor used in a work that is for sale, and so long as the author is credited along with www.timothyministries.info as the source, and 2011 is indicated as the copyright date. Any use of all or part of Alien Righteousness? in a work or collection involving, or sold for, a monetary charge requires the express permission of the author who can be contacted at [email protected] .
    [Show full text]
  • THE DOCTRINE of JUSTIFICATION an Outline of Its History in the Church and of Its Exposition from Scripture
    THE DOCTRINE OF JUSTIFICATION An Outline of its History in the Church and of its Exposition from Scripture JAMES BUCHANAN, D.D., LL.D. Evangelium Eternum—Medium Gratiæ The Everlasting Gospel—A Channel of Grace CONTENTS. THE DOCTRINE OF JUSTIFICATION. INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. SHORT ACCOUNT OF AUTHOR. INTRODUCTION. PART I. HISTORY OF THE DOCTRINE OF JUSTIFICATION. LECT. I. History of the Doctrine in the Old Testament. II. History of the Doctrine in the Apostolic Age. III. History of the Doctrine in the Times of the Fathers and Scholastic Divines. 1V. History of the Doctrine at the Era of the Reformation. V. History of the Doctrine in the Romish Church after the Reformation. VI. History of the Doctrine as a subject of Controversy among Protestants. VII. History of the Doctrine in the Church of England. PART II. EXPOSITION OF THE DOCTRINE OF JUSTIFICATION. INTRODUCTION. LECT. VIII. Justification; The Scriptural Meaning of the Term. IX. Justification; The Proper Nature of the Blessing. X. Justification; Its Relation to the Law and Justice of God. XI. Justification; Its Relation to the Mediatorial Work of Christ. XII. Justification; Its Immediate and only Ground the Imputed Righteousness of Christ. XIII. Justification; Its Relation to Grace and Works. XIV. Justification; The Nature and Reason of its Connection with Faith. XV. Justification; Its Relation to the Work of the Holy Spirit. CONCLUSION. APPENDIX OF NOTES TO EACH LECTURE. INTRODUCTORY ESSAY Martin Luther described the doctrine of justification by faith as articulus stantis vel cadentis ecclesiæ—the article of faith that decides whether the church is standing or falling. By this he meant that when this doctrine is understood, believed, and preached, as it was in New Testament times, the church stands in the grace of God and is alive; but where it is neglected, overlaid, or denied, as it was in mediaeval Catholicism, the church falls from grace and its life drains away, leaving it in a state of darkness and death.
    [Show full text]
  • A New Creation in Christ
    A New Creation in Christ: A Historical- Theological Investigation into Walter Marshall’s Theology of Sanctification in Union with Christ in the Context of the Seventeenth-Century Antinomian and Neonomian Controversy Item Type Thesis or dissertation Authors Christ, Timothy M. Citation Christ, T. M. (2016). A New Creation in Christ: A Historical- Theological Investigation into Walter Marshall’s Theology of Sanctification in Union with Christ in the Context of the Seventeenth-Century Antinomian and Neonomian Controversy. (Doctoral dissertation). University of Chester, United Kingdom. Publisher University of Chester Download date 29/09/2021 09:33:21 Item License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10034/620373 A New Creation in Christ: A Historical-Theological Investigation into Walter Marshall’s Theology of Sanctification in Union with Christ in the Context of the Seventeenth-Century Antinomian and Neonomian Controversy T. Michael Christ Thesis submitted in accordance with the requirements of the University of Chester for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy 2 Preface I was first introduced to Reformed soteriology when I enrolled in Westminster Theological Seminary’s ThM program in the spring of 2006. It was an intimidating experience, to say the least, but one also filled with wonder and delight. For there I learned that union with Christ was not simply one aspect of salvation but its central structure, and that to be saved was not merely to receive a benefit from Christ but to have Christ. A major part of my growth came through encountering Walter Marshall. As was often the case, a class lecture by Lane Tipton drifted toward the pastoral work of caring for souls.
    [Show full text]
  • 408 Paul M. Miller the Protestant Missionary Movement That Found Its
    408 Book Reviews Paul M. Miller Evangelical Mission in Co-operation with Catholics: A Study of Evangelical Missiological Tensions, Eugene or: Wipf and Stock 2013. 291 p., isbn 978-1-62564-131, price US$ 49.60 The Protestant missionary movement that found its origin in the great revivals of the 18th and 19th centuries has always been known for its evangelistic zeal and its pragmatic ethos. Perhaps less known is its persistently anti-Catholic rhetoric. By and large, the Roman Catholic Church was seen as baptized pagan- ism, a structure rife with superstition and power abuse, even if most Protestants would admit that true Christians could be found within the Church of Rome. This anti-Catholicism was a characteristic of all Protestant mission societies, resulting in the establishment of Protestant missions in most Catholic nations of Europe, beginning with the last decades of the 18th century. In an age of ecumenism this traditional antagonism has calmed down con- siderably, at least in official discourse. Mutual understanding has grown in many doctrinal issues. From a Protestant perspective it can also be acknowl- edged that Roman Catholicism has changed after Vatican ii, for example in its recognition on the importance of the Bible, the need for personal conver- sion, and the pivotal character of evangelization. However, particularly in Evangelical circles classic anti-Catholic rhetoric has remained very much alive. As Evangelicalism is a major contributor to mission and evangelism all over the world, this is a serious matter and worth investigating. Paul Miller takes up this task in a very readable and interesting study.
    [Show full text]
  • Girolamo Zanchi on Union with Christ and the Final Judgment
    Perichoresis Volume 18.1 (2020): 41–56 DOI: 10.2478/perc-2020-0003 GIROLAMO ZANCHI ON UNION WITH CHRIST AND THE FINAL JUDGMENT J.V. FESKO* Reformed Theological Seminary ABSTRACT. Union with Christ was a key doctrine for second-generation Reformed theologian Girolamo Zanchi. As a Thomist, Zanchi shared similar elements with Thomas Aquinas in his understanding of salvation as participatio, but his understanding of union with Christ differed with regard to the difference between infused and imputed righteousness. Unlike Aquinas’s doctrine of infused righteousness, Zanchi argued for imputed righteousness, which was both the foundation for one’s justification in this life as well as appearing before the divine bar at the final judgment. Zanchi’s doctrine of union with Christ has the utmost significance for personal eschatology and the judgment believers undergo at the great assize, insights that are worth retrieving for a clear understanding of the relationship between justification and the final judgement. KEYWORDS: Union with Christ, participation (participatio), insitio Christi, imputed righteous- ness, infused righteousness, Aquinas, Zanchi, final judgment Introduction The doctrine of participatio or union with Christ has been a prominent theme in historical and doctrinal literature. Some have claimed that union with Christ is a panacea for healing the doctrinal rift between the Western and Eastern churches (Braaten and Jenson 1998: vii-ix). Others have claimed that union is the great insight of John Calvin (1509-64) and that later Reformed theologians ignored or abandoned his doctrine (Partee 2008: 13-35). Calvin’s successors traded their doctrinal inheritance for a bowl of scholastic lentils when they supposedly moved away from union and embraced the ordo salutis (Evans 2008: 40, 264-67).
    [Show full text]
  • Wesley on Imputation: a Truly Reckoned Reality Or Antinomian Polemical Wreckage?
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Asbury Theological Seminary WESLEY ON IMPUTATION: A TRULY RECKONED REALITY OR ANTINOMIAN POLEMICAL WRECKAGE? WOODROW W. WHIDDEN THE REfoRMED REACTION Protestants have long been uncomfortable with Wesley's understanding of justifi- cation by faith. The usual suspicions surface with whispers of "pelagianism," "syner- gism," "Romanist moralism," and "legalism." In his own time he was under close scrutiny from the Calvinistic wing of the Evangelical Revival. Such scrutiny erupted into a storm of protest with the publication of the infamous "1770 Minutes." These "Minutes" have received most of the attention of Wesleyan scholars as they have sought to assess the genuineness of Wesley's Protestant credentials.' A SEEMINGLY ANOMALOUS STATEMENT What is somewhat surprising is the almost total lack of attention given to Wesley's negative, delimiting comments on "faith alone" in the "first fully positive exposition of his 'new' soteriology"'-his sermon entitled "justification by Faith." 3 After plainly stating that justification "is not being made actually just and righteous,"' Wesley gives this troubling anomalous qualifier: Least of all does justification imply that God is deceived in those whom he jus- tifies; that he thinks them to be what in fact they are not, that he accounts them to be otherwise than they are. It does by no means imply that God judges concerning us contraty to the real nature of things, that he esteems us better than we really are, or believes us righteous when we are unrighteous. Surely no. The judgment of the all-wise God is always according to truth.
    [Show full text]
  • The Five Solas of the Reformation
    The Five Solae of the Reformation II. The Roman Catholic View of Justification Date: June 9, 2013 Sola: Sola Fide Aim: To understand the historical Roman Catholic view of justification by faith. A. Introduction The Five Solas were the rallying points of the Protestant Reformation. • Sola Fide = Faith Alone • Sola Gratia = Faith Alone • Solus Christus = Christ Alone • Sola Scriptura = Scripture Alone • Soli Deo Gloria = Glory to God Alone The Protestant Reformation was in large part a controversy over how a man or woman is justified by God. The Roman Catholic Church argued that man is not justified by faith alone and apart from other works. The Protestant Reformers argued that man is justified by faith alone and apart from any other works or merit by man. The Protestant assertion that salvation is sola fide or through faith alone was a central issue in the sixteenth century Protestant Reformation. The debate over man’s justification before God was a significant issue in the 16th century. The question of man’s justification receives less attention today because of the dominance of relativism. The biblical truth of man’s condemnation outside of God’s justification needs to be preached and taught in the modern church. Many in the church do not truly believe in the doctrine of justification by faith alone and therefore do not emphasize it. The Gospel’s emphasis on the deliverance of man from God’s wrath has been forgotten in many Christian circles. The Gospel does not simply deliver us from bad habits, addictions, social failure, psychological deficiency, and broken relationships.
    [Show full text]
  • The Biblical Doctrine of Justification by Faith
    The Biblical Doctrine of Justification by Faith Dr. John Ankerberg, Dr. John Weldon I. “Justification” is the act of God whereby He forgives the sins of believers and declares them righteous by imputing the obedience and righteousness of Christ to them through faith. (See Luke 18:9-14.) Justification is arguably the single most important doctrine in the Bible. It is without question a doctrine that is rejected and opposed by all cults and indeed all religions outside of Christianity. In his book Know Your Christian Life: A Theo- logical Introduction, theologian Sinclair Ferguson discusses its importance, not only for the church but also for the Christian: Martin Luther, whose grasp of the gospel was better than most, once said that the doctrine of Justification was the article by which the Church stands or falls. “This article,” he said, “is the head and cornerstone of the Church, which alone begets, nourishes, builds, preserves and protects the Church; without it the Church of God cannot subsist one hour.” Luther was right. Although for our understanding of the general shape and direction of the Christian life we have suggested the doctrine of regeneration is important, the doctrine of justification is central. Not only is it the article of the standing or falling Church, but also of the standing or falling Christian. Probably more trouble is caused in the Christian life by an inadequate or mistaken view of this doctrine than any other. When the child of God loses his sense of peace with God, finds his concern for others dried up, or generally finds his sense of the sheer goodness and grace of God diminished, it is from this fountain that he has ceased to drink.
    [Show full text]