Dr. Witt on Justification by Faith

William Witt, who blogs at Non Sermoni Res, has written a new article entitled “Anglican Reflections on Justification by Faith.” In it he addresses these seven questions:

1) Is justification by faith a legal fiction? That is, does justification simply leave me as I was before, a totally depraved sinner, but now a sinner whose sin God now overlooks?

2) But doesn’t simul iustus et peccator confirm Catholic suspicions about Luther’s theology of justification?

3) Does justification by faith reflect Nominalist influence on Luther’s theology?

4) What about the radical Lutheran position, and, especially the Law/Gospel hermeneutic?

5) What about the Pietist and liberal Protestant understandings of justification by faith?

6) What about the Lutheran and Roman Catholic agreements on justification by faith?

7) What about the New Perspective on Paul? Does it undermine the Reformation position? Does it change everything?

Comments should be directed to Dr. Witt’s blog.

Posted by John

Basil of Caesarea on the Unity of the Godhead

Posted by John

A rough translation from Homily 24.3f (“Against the Sabellians, and Arius, and the Anomoeans”)

The battle fought against us from both sides is such, but what is the truth? Don’t fear the confession of the persons, but say Father, and say Son also; and don’t give two names to one thing, but from the naming of each learn the proper signification. For it is terrible arrogance not to receive the teachings of the Lord, who clearly distinguishes for us the difference of the persons. He says, “For if I go away, I will ask the Father, and he will send you another Comforter.” So then, the one who asks is the Son, and the one asked is the Father, and the one sent the Comforter. Are you not manifestly shameless then, you who hear “I” about the Son, “he” about the Father, and “another” about the Holy Spirit, but who blend everything, and mix everything up, and ascribe all the names to one thing?