Confusing Objective Justification, Subjective Justification, and
Justification by Faith
Readers might wonder why so
many terms are used, employed in a confusing way. That has been part of the
method from the beginning. Using Walther as the gold standard, there is only
universal forgiveness without faith (Objective Justification) and making a
decision to accept this dogma (Subjective Justification).[1] J. T. Mueller, the simplifier
of F. Pieper and David Scaer emphasize Justification by Faith as synonymous with
Subjective Justification. This sleight-of-hand maneuver, this double equation,
makes people think that Objective Justification is the Atonement and Subjective
Justification is Justification by Faith.
The problem with this double
equation shows itself in actual discussions. Professor David Scaer clearly
loathes Justification by Faith but uses it as a substitute for Subjective
Justification. Like others in the LCMS-WELS, “denial of Objective Justification”
is the same as Justification by Faith.
Lenski’s
denial of objective justification was found in his commentary on Romans.
Opponents of seeing justification only as subjective see it as nothing other
than synergism, the issue which was at the heart of the Lutheran Reformation
protest against Rome. Since God justifies all humanity by raising Christ from
the dead, justification is universal and, as an act of God and not of man, is
objective. By faith justification becomes a reality for the believer and is
called subjective.[2]
Calling Justification by Faith
synergism is another potshot, poorly aimed, because Walther and his followers
are the synergists in urging people to make a decision for Objective
Justification. The typical formula of synergism is this – God has done this, so
now it is your turn. Make a decision for Christ. This even appeared in a Christiandinosaur
book – Now that you know the truth about dinosaurs, it is time to make a
decision for the Creator.
The LCMS Has Always Taught Objective Justification
Walther certainly taught the
Halle Pietism he learned from Martin Stephan. His circle picked Stephan as
their next guru when the first Pietist leader moved away and died. Although Walter
made sure F. Pieper would follow him, and both dominated LCMS thinking, they
were not able to quench Justification by Faith.
Missouri’s German catechism in
1905 taught Justification by Faith and not Objective Justification.
Dr. Walter A. Maier was not
tried for heresy for saying (on the back of the Otten book) –
“Justification by faith in
Christ, together with its twin truth, the inerrancy of Holy Scripture, are the keystone
and cornerstone of Protestant Christianity.”[3]
Concordia Publishing House
still sells the 1943 KJV catechism, which does not teach Objective Justification.
The sainted Pastor Vernon
Harley taught Justification by Faith in harmony with Luther and challenged the
Objective Justification advocates. He was not pursued because the LCMS did not
have an official statement on Objective Justification. Recently a District
President made the same point with a new pastor – We cannot reject you for
Justification by Faith because we do not have an official position opposing it.[4]
Sadly, the new, windy Small
Catechism and the even more ponderous dogmatics tome (two volumes) teach Objective
Justification and Subjective Justification.
The WELS Has Always Taught Objective Justification
That claim would make the most
solemn COP burst into raucous laughter. One leader who died too soon, Pastor
Carl Gausewitz, edited a Small Catechism as the president of the Synodical
Conference. This concise catechism, in German and English, was the Wisconsin
Synod catechism for decades, and it was used in the LCMS and ELS as well. But
WELS began expanding it and – after praising Gausewitz – replaced it with the
tiresome, patronizing Universal Objective Justification catechism of David
Kuske.
Pastor Papenfuss created an
enormous fuss across Lutherdom for excommunicating two families who objected to
Objective Justification. He admitted to both families, and I paraphrase, “I
never heard of Objective Justification until I got to Mequon.”[5] A former church member
said he was confirmed with the original Gausewitz and still owns it.
Several innovations were
brought into the system by the oh-so-smart leaders:
1.
Objective Justification only
2.
Rejection of the KJV, which included removing
pastors who favored it
3.
The Church Growth Movement.
[1] The
Pietist Georg Christian Knapp published his Halle University theology lectures
in German, which were translated by a celebrity Calvinist in America – Woods.
The translator explained Knapp’s dogma as Objective and Subjective Justification.
Those terms were adopted in Germany and delighted Walther, so the Synodical
Conference has continued with the Calvinist’s inspired terms, which could be
found elsewhere. Contrary to Scaer’s claim, Objective Justification is not unique
to the Missouri Synod, WELS, and the ELS. Adventists use the terms in a similar
way, and Objective Justification is close to Calvinism.
[2]
Scaer, David P. Surviving the Storms: Memoirs of David P. Scaer (Kindle Locations
5562-5566). Luther Academy. Kindle Edition.
[3] I
met Walter A. Maier II at the Fred Rutz Senior funeral. My wife and I saw the
Dr. Maier statue at the Billy Graham evangelism museum – the only Lutheran so
honored. http://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2018/07/walter-maier-family-versus-blood-guilt.html
[4] My
wife and I met Pastor and Mrs. Harley - http://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2011/01/lcms-pastor-vernon-harley-acknowledging.html
[5] I met
the men who were excommunicated - at the Kokomo KJV conference.
