The Thomistic Institute Grace and Justification: How Thomas Might Have Replied to Luther and Calvin | Prof. Erik Dempsey
11 snips
Dec 7, 2022 AI Snips
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Reformers Read Romans As Justification By Faith Alone
- Luther and Calvin read Romans to mean justification is by faith alone, excluding any human works as contributing to salvation.
- They interpret Paul to teach forensic imputation: Christ's righteousness is counted for believers rather than an intrinsic transformation immediately making them righteous.
Justification As Imputation Not Instant Moral Change
- Luther and Calvin hold forensic justification: believers remain sinners yet are accepted as righteous because Christ's righteousness is imputed to them.
- Calvin describes justification as God receiving us as if we were righteous, involving forgiveness and imputation rather than intrinsic moral perfection.
Speaker's Personal Attachment To Aquinas
- Dempsey notes a personal fondness: Aquinas is his favorite theologian and was the first major book his grandmother gave him.
- He uses this biographical detail to explain his affinity and careful reading of Aquinas' positions on grace.