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| The Faithless Five are ELCA-LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC (sic). Pietism began their road to Perdition, setting aside the Means of Grace for a purer, more saintly, exquisitely proud life. Everything notched downward, a little bit at a time. |
I recall a fad from a few years - or decades - ago. That is when people began saying, "Grace alone" in various configurations, as many as five with grace. No one dared question something so positive in graces, so they snarled out the words they spoke, which seemed rather ungracious.
KJV Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Romans 4 is dedicated to describing Justification by Faith, leaving no doubt about it, except to numbskulls and snake oil salesmen who quote Romans 4:25 alone, omitting the complete sentence Romans 4:22-25. Let's try that, which is immediately before Romans 5:1-2. (I am being helpful to the Faithless Five.)
KJV Romans 4:22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed [counted], if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
Righteousness is counted if we believe on God who raised our Lord Jesus from the dead. The fog machines of the Faithless Five do not like that, but the Greek is just as clear as the English.
Therefore, grace comes only to individuals through faith in Jesus Christ, who was raised by God.
Those magicians and necromancers who claim the entire world is righteous - Objective Justification, General Justification, Universal Objective Justification - are nothing more than antiquarian butchers of dogmatics. They cannot even discern some of the old Lutheran dogmatics with clarity or honesty. I will list them below, but I will first quote the damning accusation of them from Jesus Himself.
KJV John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
All the blowhards, tricksters, warlocks, synod presidents, bishops, and professors are sin. Some of them even say that their toxic Objective Justification is the Chief Articles of the Christian Faith - that is - all denominations.
