justification

This one's for Jul who has blessed me on more than one occasion. Thomas Goodwin, The Center of Paul's Theology.

The center of Paul’s theology, according to Richard Gaffin, is not justification by faith nor sanctification; nor is it the imputation of Christ’s righteousness. It is union with Christ. However, this conclusion does not ‘de-center’ justification (or sanctification), ‘as if justification is somehow less important for Paul than the Reformation claims. Justification is supremely important, it is absolutely crucial in Paul’s ‘gospel of salvation’ (cf. Eph. 1:13). Deny or distort his teaching on justification and that gospel ceases to be gospel; there is no longer saving ‘good news’ for guilty sinners.’ (By Faith, Not By Sight, 43)."

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‘But no matter how close justification is to the heart of Paul’s gospel, in our salvation, as he sees it, there is an antecedent consideration, a reality, that is deeper, more fundamental, more decisive, more crucial: Christ and our union with him, the crucified and resurrected, the exalted, Christ. Union with Christ by faith, that is the essence of Paul’s ordo salutis.’ (Ibid)

Calvin writes in his Institutes (3.1.1): ‘First, we must understand that as long as Christ remains outside of us, and we are separated from him, all that he has suffered and done for the salvation of the human race remains useless and of no value to us.’

"Coincidentally'", iggy reminds us that grace is not a bar of soap.

HT: PC

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