“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.” - Galatians 2:16
________________
________________
________________
1 response so far ↓
Bradley Cochran // Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 1:49 pm
I’m afraid “the Reformers” (Calvin and Luther) did not hold to a double imputation. Sproul must be referring to Melancthon and Reformed Orthodoxy which developed after Luther and Calvin.
Catholics critisized Calvin’s idea of imputation (the non-imputation of sins, or, the imputation of Christ’s innocence accomplished through the atonement) by retorting that merit was necessary to inheret eternal life, not just a status of innocence. This rhetoric had its leavening effect over time, and the Reformation doctrine developed (after Luther and Calvin) to accomadate this argument.
Most Protestants think that Calvin and Luther were the originators of double imputation, in large measure because of popular teaching by guys like R.C. Sprul. But if you do your own research, you will see that double imputation was not “at the heart of the Reformation,” but at the heart of the traditions which developed out of the Reformation (after Luther and Calvin).
Thanks for the clip!
Leave a Comment