Intrepid Lutherans:
I would conclude from these words of Johann Gerhard that if he were alive today and a member of the WELS, he too would face prospects of being suspended. It seems like many other "fathers" of the Lutheran church would face a similar fate today.
Vernon
Vernon
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2012
Johann Gerhard on Romans 3
Since many folks across Confessional Lutheranism are discussing the meaning of Romans 3, I thought it would be interesting to hear what Johann Gerhard—one of the most highly respected Lutheran theologians of the Lutheran Age of Orthodoxy—had to say about these verses. So I translated a portion of his commentary from Latin to English, for general consumption.
(Translation copyright 2012 by Paul A. Rydecki. All emphasis is in the original.)
Johann Gerhard
Adnotationes ad priora capita Epistolae D. Pauli ad Romanos (1645)
Romans 3:26 (final section, page 118)
In this passage the causes and the object of our justification before God are expressed.
1. The chief efficient cause (causa efficiens principalis) is the grace of God, that is, God’s free favor that takes into account our misery.
2. The meritorious cause (causa meritoria) is Christ in the office of redemption, which the Apostle describes with three very significant words. First, with the word redemption (ἀπολύτρωσιν), which regards the spiritual captivity in Satan’s kingdom, from which we have been redeemed by the precious ransom (λύτρῳ) of Christ. Second, with the word mercy seat (ἱλαστήριον), which regards the cover of the ark of the covenant in the Old Testament. Third, with the phrase the blood of Christ (αἷμα τοῦχριστοῦ), which, by way of synecdoche, signifies the entire obedience of Christ, active as well as passive.
3. The instrumental cause (causa instrumentalis) is faith, that receiving (ληπτικόν) medium that embraces the benefits of Christ offered in Word and Sacraments, those giving (δοτικοῖς) means.
4. The formal cause (causa formalis) is forgiveness (πάρεσις), the remission of sins, which is joined by an indivisible connection with the imputation of the righteousness of Christ. (Rom. 4:3).
5. The final cause (causa finalis) with respect to God is the demonstration of His righteousness (ἔνδειξις τῆς δικαιοσύνης αὐτοῦ). In justification or the remission of sins, God remains just in that He justly punishes our sins in Christ, who took them upon Himself; and He justifies believers, since the righteousness of Christ has been imputed to them.
The object of justification is sinful man, but only such as believe in Christ, that is, those who know their sins from the Law, who seriously grieve over them, and who by faith apply to themselves the promise of the remission of sins for the sake of Christ.
'via Blog this'
Links about Justification by Faith
Luther's Galatians endorsed by reader
Luther's Galatians on Gnesio Lutherans
Roman Catholic adjunct Jack Kilcrease as Humpty Dumpty
Calov, quoted by Robert Preus, repudiated the UOJ position of WELS
Kilcrease, the McCain tutor, equivocates.
Buchholz is anti-Luther
Pastor Bickel on Tossing Rydecki Under the Bus
Church and Changer Jeff Gunn and His Mequon Class of Shrinkers
Paul McCain and Jon Buchholz - Bedfellows of Apostasy
Abraham Is the Common Theme in Justification - Justification by Faith
Pastor Rydecki's Account of His Suspension - October 9th
Intrepid Account October 6th- Pastor Rydecki Suspended
LutherQuest (sic) Opposes Justification by Faith
Warming Up the Tar and Feathers on LutherQuest (sic)
Pastor Bickel Answers Jon Buchholz
Kokomo Statements - WELS UOJ - JP Meyer
Jack Kilcrease Showing Signs of Stress
Dr. Lito Cruz and Brett Meyer Dispatch the UOJ Stormtroopers on Extra Nos
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| Hunnius repudiated an early form of UOJ, backed by P. Leyser, an editor of the Book of Concord, a biographer of Chemnitz, and an early expert on justification. |
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A. Berean has left a new comment on your post "Intrepid Lutherans - Johann Gerhard on Romans 3":
Wonderful! Thanks for the post.
In addition to Gerhard, look up Luther's Lectures on Romans (L.W. vol. 25, A.E.). Nothing about apart from faith there...
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GJ - Humpty Kilcrease is not happy.
