Tag: E. B. White

In the interest of saying things clearly and with as few words as possible, here’s a little help on the centrality of union versus the centrality of justification discussion.

The question is, “how am I right with God?”

The Justification Priority folks answer in the following: “you are right with God by your justification, that is, an act of God wherein he freely pardons all your sins and accepts you as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ, which is imputed to you by faith alone.”

The inquirer says, “thanks, that’s helpful.”

The Union-Centric folks say: “you are right with God by your union with Christ, that is, by the Spirit applying to you all the benefits that Christ purchased for you, including both a forensic aspect (justification) and a renovative aspect (sanctification) and these dual benefits, though distinct, come to you simultaneously without confusion or commingling.”

The inquirer then asks, “but how am I right with God?”

The Union-Centric folks then clarifies, “well, you are right with God by your justification, that is, an act of God wherein he freely pardons all your sins and accepts you as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ, which is imputed to you by faith alone.”

The inquirer then says, “thanks, but why didn’t you say that the first time?”

Of course, the same Strunk & White rules would apply to the following scenario.

The inquirer asks, “how am I right with God?”

The Shorter Catechism Devotee responds, “God created man. Man sinned and fell. God established a covenant of grace. God sent Christ, the only redeemer of God’s elect, to execute the offices of a prophet, priest, and king and fulfill the terms of the covenant of grace. All the offices of Christ have two aspects, one of humiliation one of exaltation. The Holy Spirit applies the benefits of redemption purchased by Christ. He calls you effectually. He unites you to Christ by faith. By faith you receive the benefits of justification, adoption, sanctification, assurance of God’s love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Spirit, increase of grace, and perseverance. You also get more benefits when you die, and when you are raised from the dead.”

The inquirer has left the conversation.