There are three main sticking points in ecumenical dialogue between Catholics and Protestants when it comes to justification. The first is with regards the formal cause: is it the extrinsic righteousness of Christ, or the infusion of righteousness into the believer? The Protestant position depends on a hamartiology of concupiscence that judges the regenerate Christian worthy of hell. The second is the ability to increase justification. While Paul's definition of justification would not allow this, the Catholic position is compatible with Paul's, but broadens it as well. The final issue is merit: does God promise salvation to believers, as a reward they can merit by persevering in obedience to His commands? Would this allow the Christian to boast as if they deserved/earned it? While we may not like speaking in terms of merit, it is nevertheless biblical language, which, when understood biblically, ie saturated with grace, is orthodox in nature.
23 июн 2024