Lutheran Question Objective/Subjective Universal Justification

[yeutter]

Will some of the members of this Board explain how this Lutheran doctrine does not ultimately teach a type of hypothetical universalism?
Objective Subjective Justification is the Lutheran doctrine that God declared the entire world righteous (not guilty) in Christ’s resurrection, a finished act of grace independent of human faith. This objective reality, based on 2 Corinthians 5:19, means sins are forgiven for all, and is necessary for subjective justification, where an individual receives this forgiveness through faith.

In Lutheran Thought God, for Christ's sake, has already declared the whole world to be forgiven, regardless of whether a person believes it.
The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ constitute a "general amnesty" or "not guilty" verdict for all humanity.

Objective: What God did in Christ for the world (universal, independent of faith).
Subjective: The personal application of that forgiveness, which is received by an individual through faith.
Objective justification is the basis for subjective justification; without the former, the latter is impossible.
I am assured that this Lutheran confessional doctrine, does not teach universalism. However, it means the payment and pardon are universal, but the reception of that pardon occurs only through faith.
This teaching emphasizes that justification is a divine, unconditional action of God, and not a result of human belief or merit.

 

[MW]

Hypothetical universalism teaches that Christ died for all with the intention that all might be saved if they believe. Lutheran objective justification teaches Christ was justified as the world’s substitute, and this verdict becomes mine only through faith. The first is a universal saving intention. The second is a universal atoning accomplishment. They are not the same. The Lutheran would reject any idea of something "hypothetical." He would leave the contradiction unexplained and insist that reason has no place here.

Whether Amyraldian or Baxterian, hypothetical universalism depends on a very specific ordering of God's decrees. (1) God wills the salvation of all men conditionally (if they believe). (2) Christ dies for all men conditionally to make salvation possible. (3) God elects some to receive the grace that fulfils the condition. This structure requires a conditional divine will, which subsequently gives room for a double intention in the atonement. Without the logic of the decree, hypothetical universalism has no place.

Lutheranism does not have that structure. Instead, God elects whom He elects, Christ died for all, the gospel is genuinely universal, faith is created by the Spirit where and when He wills, and unbelief is entirely the sinner's fault. There is no system that subjects them to a logical order. However, start a conversation on the real presence in the Supper and you will be treated to some very ingenious logical distinctions.

 

[jwright82]

Justification by Louis Berkhof | Reformed Theology and Apologetics

reformed.org

Here's Berkof, on the subject he's Reformed. I'll post the Lutheran next.
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https://lutheranreformation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/ref500-Bible-Study-4-Subjective-1-Leaders-Guide.pdf

Here's the Lutheran take. Although I don't really remember this distinction being that important to the Reformed, especially not in this way.

 

[MW]

https://lutheranreformation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/ref500-Bible-Study-4-Subjective-1-Leaders-Guide.pdf

Here's the Lutheran take. Although I don't really remember this distinction being that important to the Reformed, especially not in this way.

It is usual to alert people to a second commandment violation in linked material so that they know what is coming. In this case it hits you straight away.

 

[arapahoepark]

Will some of the members of this Board explain how this Lutheran doctrine does not ultimately teach a type of hypothetical universalism?
Objective Subjective Justification is the Lutheran doctrine that God declared the entire world righteous (not guilty) in Christ’s resurrection, a finished act of grace independent of human faith. This objective reality, based on 2 Corinthians 5:19, means sins are forgiven for all, and is necessary for subjective justification, where an individual receives this forgiveness through faith.

In Lutheran Thought God, for Christ's sake, has already declared the whole world to be forgiven, regardless of whether a person believes it.
The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ constitute a "general amnesty" or "not guilty" verdict for all humanity.

Objective: What God did in Christ for the world (universal, independent of faith).
Subjective: The personal application of that forgiveness, which is received by an individual through faith.
Objective justification is the basis for subjective justification; without the former, the latter is impossible.
I am assured that this Lutheran confessional doctrine, does not teach universalism. However, it means the payment and pardon are universal, but the reception of that pardon occurs only through faith.
This teaching emphasizes that justification is a divine, unconditional action of God, and not a result of human belief or merit.

Thank you for explaining that so well. I had always wondered what Lutherans meant by those terms.

 

[jwright82]

It is usual to alert people to a second commandment violation in linked material so that they know what is coming. In this case it hits you straight away.

My apologies. I'll remember that in the future, sorry.

 

[yeutter]

At least one of the smaller Evangelical Lutheran denominations, Confessional Lutheran Ministerium, reject the teaching called Objective / Subjective or Universal Justification in God is said to have declared the whole world righteous apart from faith in Christ Jesus. https://clministerium.org/about-us/

The Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America [ELDONA] teaches that God justifies sinners solely by faith in Christ. ELDONA expresses reservations concerning the teaching called Objective/Subjective or Universal Justification in which God is said to have declared the whole world righteous apart from faith in Christ Jesus.

ELDONA argues that the Lutheran Confessions and orthodox fathers did not know of a justification apart from faith. They emphasize that the preaching of the Gospel and Sacraments are the means by which the forgiveness won by Christ is distributed and received, creating faith. ELDONA expresses reservations concerning the teaching often associated with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod [WELS], the LCMS, the ELS, and other synods that the world was declared righteous in a forensic sense at the resurrection.

ELDONA affirms that Christ died for all and that forgiveness is universal in scope (the objective reality of the atonement), they hold that the pronouncement of righteousness (justification) occurs through faith alone.

https://eldona.org/ELDoNA/Papers_files/Justification_2013.pdf