Thursday, April 18, 2019

Responses to Catholic Nick's article on Imputation as part of Justification by Faith Alone

https://apologeticsandagape.wordpress.com/2019/04/18/response-to-catholic-nick-on-imputation-as-part-of-justification-by-faith-alone/

From several years ago, Joey Henry wrote an excellent 8 Part response to "Catholic Nick" (linked to on Devin Rose's blog) on Imputation as part of Justification by Faith Alone, which I hope to write more about later if and when I find the time.

9 comments:

James Swan said...

I recall "Joey Henry." I did a simple search here on the blog and found I mentioned that name back in 2006 (that was the first full year of this blog). Any idea who he is?

Anonymous said...

No, except for reading his blog articles and his comments here in the com-boxes.
I was impressed with what he wrote at the time - it is an eight part article response to Catholic Nick's critique of Imputation and relation to justification by faith alone.

I had forgotten about his articles on imputation about 3-4 years ago. (?) I was reminded again a few days about them when on another forum the issue of imputation of Christ's righteousness was brought up by another Roman Catholic.

James Swan said...

Hi Ken: People have come and gone on this blog over the years... while many of the anonymous comments are troll-like, every so often a "TurretinFan" or someone similarly anonymous shows up and makes some great comments or has a helpful blog entry. Perhaps "Joey Henry" will reemerge now that you've placed a small spotlight on him.

Jesse Albrecht said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
PeaceByJesus said...

I recall responding to some sophistry by Devil Rose being posted on FR a few years ago. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/3252810/posts?page=151#151 for what it's worth.

Jesse Albrecht said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jesse Albrecht said...

Hello James,

I was wondering whether you thought these articles of mine was an adequate treatment of the logizomai issue?:

https://rationalchristiandiscernment.blogspot.com/2019/10/does-god-infuse-righteousness-into-our.html

https://rationalchristiandiscernment.blogspot.com/2020/01/commentary-on-romans-43-8.html

Thank you for your input.

James Swan said...

Jessie,

Roman Catholics notoriously either don't understand the "Protestant" relationship of justification and sanctification, or don't even realize Protestants exegete a doctrine of sanctification from the Scriptures. Brossard himself says, "There is no reason why God’s declaration of our righteousness and our transformation by grace must be mutually exclusive. The two can be harmonized." Wow, really? No kidding!

I like how Sproul simply puts it... The Bible teaches that we have been saved from the foundation of the world (past sense) ... there is a sense in which we are saved (present sense).... "The Bible also teaches that we are being saved. Therefore, in one sense, salvation is not simply a completed event, but begins with justification and leads on to sanctification."

https://www.monergism.com/brother-are-you-saved

PeaceByJesus said...

The link to http://www.devinrose.heroicvirtuecreations.com/blog/2012/06/12/a-study-on-imputation-of-righteousness/ub-email just results in whitespace, while on Catholic Answers (https://forums.catholic.com/t/what-did-christs-death-accomplish/120107/20) you see sola fide being reduced to meaning the justified are simply whitewashed sinners - ignoring that the heart-purifying regenerating faith (Acts 10:43; 15:7-9; Titus 3:5) that is counted for righteousness is one that renders one a new creation, effectually working obedience, as Luther himself taught.

In contrast, Catholic teaching is effectively that of justification via actual sanctification and thus by merit ("by grace") that "Although the sinner is justified by the justice of Christ, inasmuch as the Redeemer has merited for him the grace of justification (causa meritoria), nevertheless he is formally justified and made holy by his own personal justice and holiness (causa formalis).” - Catholic Encyclopedia>Sanctifying Grace

Which in Cath teaching this justifying interior righteousness is normally effected by the act of baptism itself (ex opere operato) thereby making one "inwardly just by the power of his mercy," (CCC 1992) thus it is believed that the newly baptized can go directly to Heaven.

However, since the unholy carnal nature is still too alive after baptism and is soon made manifest, then either the sinner in this life attains to the rare state of achieving the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven, (CCC 1030) with "every imperfection of the soul corrected," ( John Paul II, Audiences, 1999) purged of all...character faults ," (Peter Kreeft, Because God Is Real) and atones for all sins he has nor made sufficient expiation for, , or the sinner must endure “purifying punishments” ((INDULGENTIARUM DOCTRINA) and sufferings, commencing at death, in order to be with God.

Which is what results when your soteriology begins with becomes actually good enough to be with God.

On the other extreme is salvation by fruitless, inert faith that is neither that of the washing of regeneration nor that which effects the obedience of the faith in holiness and obedience, including contrite repentance when convicted of the contrary.

But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. (1 Corinthians 11:32)

Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. (Hebrews 12:12-13)

Only that perseverance is saving faith, versus drawing back into perdition. (Heb. 10:25-39)