Andrew P.C.
Puritan Board Junior
I was just looking at the Macarthur's theology thread when I started to read the discussion about faith, and justification. I find that some here believe we were justified from eternity. I wanted to ask Israelite a question, which by no means is restricted only to him.
God's elect were justified at the cross 2,000 years ago.
Me: When you say this, how do you understand the word "by" when it says "we are justified by faith"?
Here is what I know: "By" = instrumental dative: means by which things come to pass. Therefore, the instrumental cause of justification is faith. IF we are justified "by" our faith, how is it that we are justified on the cross 2,000 years ago? Did we have faith before we existed?