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The Thomistic Institute

Justified by Grace, But What is Grace and What Does it Do? | Prof. Michael Root

Nov 22, 2024
Michael Root, Professor Emeritus of Systematic Theology at the Catholic University of America, draws from his rich theological background to explore the nuances of grace and justification. He discusses the Augustinian view, emphasizing that salvation requires God’s unmerited favor. Personal anecdotes on sin and confession highlight the differences between mortal and venial sins. Root also contrasts humility in faith with various theological perspectives from the Reformation, urging listeners to consider the delicate balance of grace, faith, and human agency in their spiritual journey.
37:23

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Quick takeaways

  • Justification is a central theological concept where both Catholic and Protestant traditions see grace as crucial for salvation, despite differing interpretations.
  • The Catholic tradition emphasizes a transformative process within the believer post-justification, contrasting with the Protestant view of justification as merely imputed righteousness.

Deep dives

The Significance of Justification

Justification is a crucial theological concept that separates Catholic and Protestant understandings, with both perspectives emphasizing its importance but differing in interpretation. The podcast highlights that, while the Reformation identified justification as the pivotal issue, Catholics handled it differently during the Council of Trent by not simply condemning Protestant views but by offering a comprehensive summary of their own teachings. Both traditions agree that all individuals are born in sin and require divine grace for redemption, acknowledging that God’s act of justifying a sinner is entirely free and unearned, which underscores that people cannot earn their way to salvation. However, the nuances in defining justification become a point of contention, leading to misunderstandings between the two sides due to differing interpretations of key terms.

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