Doctrine of Salvation Part 12: Different Views of Justification

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 and "shelter-in-place" recommendations, Dr. Craig gives this lecture from the safety of his home office.

"Defenders" is Dr. William Lane Craig's weekly Sunday school class on Christian doctrine and apologetics. This video is part 12 of his locus on the Doctrine of Salvation.

We welcome your comments in the Reasonable Faith forums:

[reydemayo]

Greetings in the name Lord.... Ptr. Lane Craig....
Very Sharp Distinction on the Doctrine of Justification... Very helpful Argument....
Godbless to your Ministry.

[Ryan_Zell]

Every Protestant that proclaims that we are justified by Faith Alone should HEAR these FOUR words by James 2:24 echoing in their heads:
"not by faith alone."
"not by faith alone."
"not by faith alone."
"not by faith alone."
"not by faith alone."
"not by faith alone."
"not by faith alone."
"not by faith alone."
"not by faith alone."
"not by faith alone."
"not by faith alone."
"not by faith alone."
"not by faith alone."
"not by faith alone."
"not by faith alone."
"not by faith alone."
"not by faith alone."
"not by faith alone."
"not by faith alone."
"not by faith alone."
"not by faith alone."
"not by faith alone."
"not by faith alone."
"not by faith alone."
"not by faith alone."
"not by faith alone."
"not by faith alone."
"not by faith alone."
"not by faith alone."
"not by faith alone."

The Protestant Scripture Twister Series #4 - Luther 2:24

[rudya.hernandez]

I'm Catholic, and find it hard to disagree with the reformer view of Justification, and at the same time hard to agree. I feel as though its more a squabble over semantics than anything else. Works of obedience are nothing to boast of (Luke 17:10), but are indeed "works"; something we do. Just as in Luke 17:7-9, our Lord isn't saying we'll be thanked, having earned our salvation, when we've only done what was commanded. However, if we don't do what we're commanded then we will surely be punished. This sounds like a mutually exclusive thing where if we obeyed it is as if to say we earned, when actually (as servants) we're not rewarded for doing what we were supposed to do in the first place.

[samuelcallai]

5:54 Craig says: for us to believe, that is to say believe in Jesus Christ "as Lord", our faith will be reckoned as righteousness. "As Lord" means obeying him, which means having works. But then he says: 6:12 "simply because we have placed our trust in him", which means without having works. That seems contradictory.

[patrickedgington]

Understanding that justification is fundamental to Christianity and that these two views are wildly divergent clearly indicates a problem. If one is persuaded by a position which is not Christianity then those holding the view could hardly be correct in asserting they themselves are Christian. While clearly they are certain they are.

It should also be considered that neither of the stated positions is correct and that this is not a matter of academia but eternal security.

I dont want to come off as patronizing, but we are called to be salty.
Within what calls itself Christianity today we have any number of aberrant teachings and those that are true as well I think as those that are not need to speak out; those who are not seemingly need less of an invitation.

To understand how Christianity works I think a step by step example would be the easiest way to explain the process but before how the what needs to be clear. So much of the what today claims believe and do your best God will meet you somewhere along the way.

What Christianity a change from one state of being into another by grace through fake it tells you make it.

The how of Christianity begins with repentance.

Some think this is feeling bad about the things you have done and in part that is true but if a person is fat and wants to look like Arnold can't they just stop over eating and hit the gym? More over shouldn't they isn't it their problem? If a man keeps eyeing every pretty girl ends up sleeping with a few and ruins his marriage again isn't that a lack of his own character shining through? In truth, we all have a weakness we can't or perhaps won't over come its built into our nature the Adamic nature and sure we get that its wrong just like most of us get that unconditional love is the only true love there is; but when we hear I love you we always want to know why....
Repentance is coming to the end of ourselves and stepping out into something beyond, that
One must understand they are inadequate and one must be willing to seek God for help.

Step one completed rinse and repeat until God is encountered....

This is a step people often pass by. They call on God but dont wait for the answer, dont expect the answer, dont hear the answer.

Step two is the answer and you can't go on until you get it.

In that encounter you should receive a gift called faith....some call it my faith or the faith and think anyone that believes has faith

step three is faith the kind you read about in scripture the kind that moves mountains....

I won't start with that my experience maybe you will. With faith, you should also get a house not a guest not a tenant the Spirit should be seen as owning the place but that won't happen. I know that because scripture says if you say you do not sin you deceive yourself and the truth is not in you....all same the Spirit will be there and if you walk with the Spirit you will be perfect....IF.

At times, you will most of the time you won't as you grow you will more often and that is what Christianity is really about not our works an ongoing partnership with God.

If you get to that step you won't need any further explanation.

[donboniface]

The Catholic view of Salvation is that Christ’s death is a sacrifice of atonement (see Leviticus chapter 5). Christ offers himself, not just nails through his wrists, but his whole life is a offering given to God. Holy Week is Christ displaying before our very 👀 the ethic that he commands for us.

Christ surrenders himself to wicked men who martyr him, not God killing Christ, but us. Not as a penal substitution but as a martyr to charity, holiness and righteousness. As Paul says he took on the nature of a servant, obedient to death on a Cross, therefore God exalted him.


If you follow Imputed Justification the rest of the Bible (mostly about moral behavior and warnings) makes no sense.

[INRIVivatChristusRex]

I respect Dr Craig. When he explained the Protestant position he was clear and concise, but when he presented the Catholic view why did he had to inject so many Protestant views? Disappointed.

[collin]

I don't believe justification increases, but there is a process. I think of it like prophecy, or rather, the promise of God. When you receive a promise from God, it is absolute. But that doesn't mean it's actual yet. In Romans, when talking about justification, Paul says of Abraham, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.
Romans 4:17
That means that God called Abraham a father when he was not yet a father, but in view of the fact that he would absolutely be a father. Apply that to righteousness. When we believe in Christ, crucified to wipe away our sin and make us righteous, he calls us by what we WILL be when the effects of his work are worked out in our lives. Now compare the moment when Abraham was accounted righteous, to the time decades later, when he is going to sacrifice Isaac. This is the moment, according to James, "and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness, ” and he was called the friend of God.
James 2:23

God called Abraham a father in view of making him a father. God called Abraham righteous first as a declaration, in view of making him righteous in his deeds. But the whole time he was right with God even before he performed the deed. Because "he who promised is faithful."