Required reading
Systematic Theology by Charles Hodge (Vol 3) (Available from Amazon or free here) - Continue Chapter 17 by reading up to the heading '6.Proof of the doctrine'.
My summary
Today Hodge continues to examine the doctrine of justification.
Firstly, in today's reading, Hodge outlines the different views of the works of the law according to:
(i) Pelagians and Rationalists (works of the Jewish law are excluded from justification);
(ii) Romanists (we are justified by works done after regeneration);
(iii) Remonstrants (works of the law are excluded from our justification, as distinguished from works of the Gospel);
(iv) Lutherans and Reformed (all works are excluded from the ground of our justification).
Next Hodge teaches us about the righteousness of Christ as the ground of justification, which in effect is the righteousness of God.
Then Hodge explains how the righteousness of Christ is imputed to the believer for his justification.
What grabbed me
I liked the point that grace demands justification apart from works: 'The same is evident from what is taught of the gratuitous nature of our justification. Grace and works are antithetical. " To him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt." (Rom. iv. 4.) " If by grace, then is it no more of works : otherwise grace is no more grace." (Rom. xi. 6.) Grace of necessity excludes works of every kind, and more especially those of the highest kind, which might have some show of merit. But merit of any degree is of necessity excluded, if our salvation be by grace.'
There is no place for grace if we're saved by works.
Next week's reading
Continue Chapter 17 by reading up to the heading '8. Relation of faith to justification'.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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