Calvin on Justification: Considering the Judgment Day With Singular Delight
Rev. Angus Stewart examines Calvin's doctrine of justification with particular emphasis on the forensic character of justification—reckon righteous rather than make righteous—and the existential seriousness of standing before God's heavenly judgment seat. The article defends Calvin's imputation theology against Roman Catholic, ecumenical, New Perspective, and Federal Vision challenges by grounding the doctrine in the reality of divine judgment rather than academic disputation.
Rev. Angus Stewart Approach and Orientation Right from the very first time that I read John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion, I was deeply struck by especially one thing in his treatment of justification: his repeated and forceful call to consider ourselves before the heavenly judgment seat of Almighty God. All are, or should be, aware of the theological issues. Does justification mean make righteous or reckon righteous? Is justification the infusion of righteousness or the...