The Doxology Podcast Richard Hooker’s Discourse on Justification (Featuring Brad Littlejohn of the Davenant Institute)
Aug 2, 2022
Brad Littlejohn, founder of the Davenant Institute and Hooker scholar with a PhD from Edinburgh, discusses Richard Hooker and his writings on justification. They explore Hooker’s methods, his distinction between infused and imputed righteousness, the Temple Church controversy, and how historical theology shapes pastoral and ecumenical conversation. The conversation highlights resources from the Davenant Press.
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Hooker As An English Reformed Theologian
- Richard Hooker frames the Church of England as a national, Reformed-leaning church within wider Protestantism rather than a third way between Rome and Geneva.
- Brad Littlejohn notes Hooker's context: Temple Church sermons (1585–86) addressing lawyers and lawmakers shaped his public, conciliatory theology.
Sermon War With Walter Travers
- Hooker's Learned Discourse grew out of a public sermon exchange with Walter Travers at Temple Church that drew hundreds of listeners.
- Lucas and Brad describe a week-by-week 'preach-off' where morning and evening sermons sparked heated refutations and eventual silencing of Travers.
Imputation Versus Infused Righteousness
- Hooker refuses Protestant caricatures of Catholics and fairly summarizes Roman claims before specifying the decisive disagreement: imputed (alien) righteousness.
- Littlejohn emphasizes Hooker's twofold acceptance: he allows infused (sanctifying) righteousness but insists justification requires Christ's external, perfect righteousness reckoned to us.
