(Abstract)
This study treats the relation between justification and sanctification based on the text, reformed church confessions. As part of studying the justification connected with the sanctification, beyond studying justification itself, this stu...
(Abstract)
This study treats the relation between justification and sanctification based on the text, reformed church confessions. As part of studying the justification connected with the sanctification, beyond studying justification itself, this study attempts to approach to the soteriology in the present age in which the relation between them is becoming loose. This study grasped the relation between justification and sanctification in four reformed church confessions, Belgic Confession(1561), Heidelberg Catechism(1561), Second Helvetic Confession(1566), Westminster Confession(1647). In addition I applied the relation between justification and sanctification to Korean churches through researching that of '21C Korean Presbyterian Church Confession(1997)'.
Preceding researches of justification and sanctification still remain at digging up of great scholars as M. Lutter, John Calvin and Wesley. Reformed church, however, has the great heritage of confession each age. Nevertheless no study of reformed church confession has been conducted. This study gropes for the relation between justification and sanctification with the new text, reformed church confessions, in the level of definition. The reformed church confessions are important data themselves in showing us such characteristics of the reformed church as the tendency of biblical hermeneutic, theological topics and theological emphasis that is the common denominator among reformed churches.
The relation between justification and sanctification mentioned in reformed church confessions shows that justification is comprehended only when it is connected to sanctification, not by itself. The justification and sanctification is related organically in terms of the combination with Christ or understood as the dual grace that the sanctification is guaranteed concurrently when justified. In terms of Christian faith and behavior, the two words bear similarity but need to be distinguished.
The reformed church confessions are similar in that the combination with Christ emphasizes a pure faith at the stage of justification. At the stage of sanctification, emphasized is the behavior and sanctification is regarded as the faith that is not something speculative, but revealed as behavior. Therefore justification and sanctification is not distinguished but organically related.
As for the difference between those confessions, the Belgic and Second Helvetic Confession requires only faith, while the Heidelberg Catechism and Westminster Confession, the imputation and reception of justice, at the stage of justification. The sanctification is regarded as fruits of thanks, good conduct and the holy life in the Belgic, Heidelberg and Westminster Confession, while obedience of the law in the Second Helvetic. As for the relation between justification and sanctification, Belgic and Heidelberg confession understands them in the big circle of the combination with Christ, while Second Helvetic and Westminster confession, two circles side by side.
On the other hand, '21C Korean Presbyterian Church Confession' defines that the justification is the work of holy spirit, the sanctification is accomplished by Christ, and the relation between justification and sanctification is understood the work of holy spirit.
Followings are the results of the study ; First, justification is completed only when advancing to the stage of sanctification, not staying at the stage of justification itself. Second, the dogmatic tendency in church and the recurrence of Jewish Legalism is due to the lack of understanding about justification. Lastly, Korean church still remains at emphasizing justification rather than sanctification. In conclusion, now it is time to emphasize the sanctification in which the faith is revealed by behavior.