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Joe k said:
I read Berkhoffs treatiste. As usual He is very clear and concise, but a cookie cutter none the less. I have read the same article by 37 others pilgrim. I do nto believe he is correct in one major point. Justification is an IMMINENT act of God and not transient.

How could the Old Testament saints have been acquitted of their sins? For if we cannot be discharged, unless our sins be imputed to Christ, and they could not be placed to his account, till he "was made of a woman, and made under the law (Galatians 4:4, 5.)," as is suggested; then not one soul was justified before Christ’s incarnation. And nothing could be more false.
Joe,

I'm wondering why you have chosen not to interact with what Berkhof's "cookiecutter" defense of the biblical doctrine of justification? And it's interesting that you have read the exact same thing written by "37 others". You are obviously far more read than I. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Once again, and for the last time, the decree of God doesn't secure anything in and of itself until it is executed. Thus, in the matter of justification, it was decreed that a specific remnant from Adam's fallen race should be redeemed in Christ. However, that decree only guaranteed that which God purposed would come to pass. It is in the execution of the decree in time and through various means that it is secured. Professor John Murray has nailed this down perfectly in his excellent book, Redemption Accomplished and Applied. If you haven't read this little book, I would strongly encourage you to do so.

Lastly, you have failed to make your case from the biblical record and offer your exegesis of such texts as Rom 3:28-30; 4:2-5; 5:1; 9:30; Gal 3:6-8, 24, in order to refute the traditional view. If you can do so, I would really like to read it.

In His Grace,

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simul iustus et peccator

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