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| The Wisconsin sect is touchy about everyone being forgiven without faith and they enforce their dogma with enthusiasm. |
Objective justification
What is objective justification?
Let me pass along a few paragraphs from This We Believe, a statement of belief of our church body, that answer your question.
“4. We believe that God reconciled “the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them” (2 Corinthians 5:19). We believe that Jesus is “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). The mercy and grace of God are all-embracing; the reconciliation through Christ is universal; the forgiveness of sins has been gained as an accomplished fact for all people. Because of the substitutionary work of Christ, God has justified all people, that is, God has declared them to be not guilty. This forms the firm, objective basis for the sinner’s assurance of salvation.” [from III. Christ and Redemption]
“1. We believe that God has justified all sinners, that is, he has declared them righteous for the sake of Christ. This is the central message of Scripture upon which the very existence of the church depends. It is a message relevant to people of all times and places, of all races and social levels, for “the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men” (Romans 5:18). All need forgiveness of sins before God, and Scripture proclaims that all have been justified, for “the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men” (Romans 5:18).
“2. We believe that individuals receive this free gift of forgiveness not on the basis of their own works, but only through faith (Ephesians 2:8,9). Justifying faith is trust in Christ and his redemptive work. This faith justifies not because of any power it has in itself, but only because of the salvation prepared by God in Christ, which it embraces (Romans 3:28; 4:5). On the other hand, although Jesus died for all, Scripture says that “whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16). Unbelievers forfeit the forgiveness won for them by Christ (John 8:24).” [from IV. Justification by Grace through Faith]
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| Luther is not welcome in the floundering and divided WELS, ELS, and LCMS. Justification by Faith is the Chief Article of Christianity, but the Midwestern sects like to say their OJ error is the real thing. |
Teeny tiny fading ELS says, "Me too!"
Q: I have heard some Lutherans say they do not believe the Bible teaches objective justification. How can they assert this and still call themselves “Lutheran”?
A: Your question is perceptive. As you intimate, the teaching of objective justification is plainly taught in Scripture, and is a vital doctrine of our Lutheran Confessions. People who deny this have no right to claim the name “Lutheran,” even though they may correctly insist that a sinner is saved only by faith in Jesus Christ and not by works.
