Required reading
Systematic Theology by Charles Hodge (Vol 3) (Available from Amazon or free here) - Conclude Chapter 17.
My summary
Hodge now looks at modern views on justification.
He divides them into:
(i) rationalistic theories (which make the reconciliation of man to God the work of the man himself);
(ii) philosophical theories (justification is the application to individuals of the general declaration of God that he will save all who strive to reform);
(iii) speculative theories (faith is that state of mind which renders the sinner receptive of the infusion of whatever it is that renders him thus subjectively righteous in the sight of God);
(iv) theories of Ebrard of Erlangen (Christ justifies us and faith justifies us).
Hodge then raises objections to the theories. He considers the theories to be:
(i) philosophical;
(ii) unscriptural;
(iii) subjective.
What grabbed me
I liked how Hodge pointed out that the false theories of justification lead men to trust in themselves: 'This introduces the third great objection to this scheme. It makes redemption subjective. It is what we are ; what we become ; it is the Christ within us ; the new heart, the new nature, the new life, the divine-human life of Christ, or whatever else it may be called, which is at once the ground of our justification and the source of sanctification. This is utterly inconsistent with the Bible, and with the experience of the people of God in all ages and under all dispensations. In no instance are believers represented as trusting to what is within them, but to what is without them. The Protestant doctrine, as we have seen, makes full provision for an inward work of deliverance from the power of sin, as well as for redemption from the curse of the law ; for sanctification as well as for justification. But it does not confound the two, neither does it refer either or both to the new principle of life, the new seed or leaven implanted or inserted which works as "an organic law," and by a regular process of development, as natural as the operation of any other law. The whole work of the Spirit is ignored in this new theory of redemption.'
If you lean on yourself, you will fall.
Next week's reading
Commence Chapter 18 by reading up to the heading '3. The method of sanctification'.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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