Today we will continue with the thought of Francis Turretin on the use of faith in justification. In this section he is giving “proof that the act of believing is not our righteousness.”
Two things therefore must be done by us here. First, negatively (kat’ arsin), the false mode of the justification of faith (introduced by the Socinians and Romanists) must be removed. Second, affirmatively (kata thesin) true and genuine sense must be established. As to the former, faith or the act of believing is not considered as our righteousness with God by a gracious acceptation: (a) because what is only the instrument for receiving righteousness cannot be our righteousness itself formally. Now faith holds here only the relation (schesin) of an instrument, as is evident both from its proper act (which is instrumental and consists in the reception of Christ [Jn. 1:12] and the acceptance of righteousness [Rom. 5:17] and of the remission of sins [Acts 26:18]); and from the subordination of the causes of justification to the same effect (to wit, the grace of God, the redemption of Christ and faith). This is alluded to by Paul in Rom. 3:24 where faith cannot sustain any other meaning than that of an instrument, since the grace of God holds the relation of an efficient principle and the redemption of Christ that of the meritorious cause.
We started this line of thought by setting out John Owen’s five ways that faith can be used. When we say that justification is by faith alone, something is meant or intended regarding how faith is involved in justification. Here are the five ways that faith can be used: 1. It is used as an instrument. 2. It is a condition. 3. It is a causa sine qua non. The term sine qua non means “without which, not” and is something that is absolutely essential. The causa refers to a cause and so faith is seen as a cause that is utterly essential. 4. It prepares and disposes men to receive justification. 5. It merits justification in a congruous way. Turretin and Owen consider that faith must be thought of as an instrument of justification in order for justification to be by grace alone. In the previous paragraph Turretin’s words stand against faith being a condition, a causa sine qua non, and that it merits justification.
When we think of the words “by faith” in justification by faith alone, if we are going to attach any meaning to the words in the statement as a whole then “by faith” has to be understood in some way. Faith is either an instrument which receives Christ and grace or it has an active role in justification. Faith either receives righteousness as a free gift of God or it fulfills the condition of God and is in and of itself counted as righteousness. The texts that Turretin brings out are quite powerful in showing that faith is an instrument alone. John 1:12-13 show this clearly: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” In these verses receiving and believing are seen as the same thing. Christ is received by faith rather than coming as a result of anything else that faith is or does. Romans 5:17 shows that righteousness is a gift by grace rather than caused in some way by faith: “For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.”
So far we see that Christ is received by faith and that grace and righteousness are received. In other words, righteousness is not the same thing as faith. The righteousness of Christ and grace are received by faith rather than faith being counted righteous in and of itself. What we must see is the disorder that other views of faith bring into the Gospel of grace alone. If faith is something other than an instrument that receives, then faith is the efficient cause of justification rather than grace alone. If faith is something other than an instrument alone, then the redemption of Christ does not procure salvation but faith has some ability to do so. This makes faith to merit salvation in some way and to some degree rather than Christ alone. If faith itself is our righteousness, then we have earned righteousness by coming up with faith rather than our righteousness coming as a free gift when the righteousness of Christ is imputed to believers. Romans 3:24 shows the place of faith when it ascribes all causes to grace, redemption, and Christ: “being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.” This shows us that when some say they believe in justification by faith alone, they think of faith as a work that they do. The Bible teaches that the only thing that faith does in is to be an instrument to receive Christ and His righteousness as all grace. If faith is anything but an instrument that receives grace apart from any work at all, the Gospel is not of Christ alone and it is not of grace alone. It would be Christ plus our faith or grace plus the work of faith. This is not only unacceptable, it is a different gospel which is no gospel at all.
God Loves... Himself 
October 29, 2008 at 1:19 pm |
Which “justification”, the equitable deed done or the acquittal received?
A point to be made because of this article above is this that faith brings about a societal change from a wrong relationship with God, post fall, to a pre fall “right” relationship with God.
It further should be noted that the wrong relationship with God existed prior to the creation of our First Father, Adam and First Mother, Eve.
As you may well realize that there was a full 5 and a half days with “darkness” present in creation preceeding the creation of man that you might also realize still is in working in this creation affecting man’s relationship with God by Faith. This is why I make the point that faith brings about a societal change in mankind.
Why?
First, as Turretin and I guess Owen makes, [I am relying upon your representation about Owen] the second point in the quote above establishes this idea of a societal change is effected through Faith in the Gospel first preached in Genesis 3. Turretin: [[Second, affirmatively (kata thesin) true and genuine sense must be established.]].
When you look at the two Greek Words in Romans Five, verse 16 and 18 you should understand that the Greek word in verse 16 means “an equitable deed” done and the Greek word in verse 18 means “a sentence of aquittal” done to effect the societal change with both God and all mankind.
What is this change? Paul writes this:
Rom 8:29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Rom 8:30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Rom 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
There are indeed three things that resist this change coming about. These things are against us! My flesh is primarily against me. The world I live in is against me. And Satan, the god of this world, is against me and works with the Beast, the false prophet, Death, Hades and those whose names are not found written in the book of Life to resist and to destroy this societal change that is coming against them.
I am in a very difficult state of being as is everyone of Adam’s race, seeing I have no ability inherent within or without me to overcome either three enemies of this “right” relationship God brings about by Faith and through the work of Faith!
There is a saying, “the law says, do this, and it is never done, the Gospel says, believe this, and it is finished”.
Faith is a tool to bring us to the right “belief”. I would say here that the devils have right “belief” and they tremble!
Jesus taught that we are to have both, “fear” and a right “fear” of God:
Mat 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Mat 10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.
Mat 10:30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.
Mat 10:31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Paul noted the needed assistance of “obedience to the Faith” that works by Love to effect change in me while I live in this world.
Consider Romans 1:5 and Romans 16:26.
Here is what the Bible teaches about “how” we obtain a “right” relationship with God, a relationship Adam lost in the fall and Christ gained by His death, burial and Resurrection, so that we can have a change in our present relationship with God, a relationship Adam lost and by Faith we can gain by Fait:
Col 2:11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,
Col 2:12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.
Col 2:13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,
Col 2:14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
Col 2:15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
See the change? See to it then that by “Faith” through Grace, an abundance of Grace and the gift of Righteousness that Christ formed in you, has the Lead and Headship in your life until you too pass from this ungodly world full of demons and sin to that Everlasting Kingdom you also “believe” exists just around the corner, the moment you too take your last breath and breathe one final time in this world and out your flesh!
I commend you for bringing out this great article!
thanks