Justified by Grace, but What is Grace and What does it do? | Prof. Michael Root
Jun 12, 2024
auto_awesome
Prof. Michael Root discusses the theological differences between Catholic and Protestant views on justification, sin, confession, and humility. The podcast explores Luther's psychology, Catholic interpretations, and the role of grace, justification, and redemption in both Catholic and Lutheran perspectives.
Justification is being judged just or acceptable to God post-sin, rooted in the concept of 'justificatio', emphasizing redemption solely from grace.
Grace enables forgiveness of past sins and self-renewal, allowing alignment with God's will, highlighting restoration and acceptance.
Deep dives
Understanding Justification: A Complex yet Central Issue
Justification, a key aspect of the Reformation, is essential for the Catholic intellectual tradition. At the Council of Trent, Catholics provided a detailed response, highlighting the importance of getting justification right. Throughout history, false stereotypes on this topic have clouded understanding between Catholics and Protestants. The discussion often reveals ships passing in the night due to differing interpretations, especially regarding salvation and grace.
The Concept of Justification and Its Etymology
Justification entails being judged just or acceptable to God, indicating acceptance by God through a process following sin. The term 'justification' roots back to 'justificatio', meaning to make just, an idea prevalent in theological discourse. Derived from St. Augustine's theological legacy, the concept underscores that redemption and justification stem solely from grace.
Elements of Justification: Forgiveness and Renewal
Justification involves two key aspects: forgiveness of past sins and renewal of the self through grace. This transformation allows individuals to align with God, becoming pleasing in His eyes. The medieval view perceives grace as fundamental in enabling individuals to perform actions that align with God's will, emphasizing restoration and acceptance.
Catholic-Lutheran Perspectives and the Joint Declaration on Justification
In a significant theological shift, the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification highlighted common ground between Catholics and Lutherans on the nature of justification. Both traditions acknowledge justification as a work of the triune God, emphasizing acceptance through faith and Christ's redemptive work. This pivotal agreement aimed to bridge historical differences and promote unity within Christianity.
This lecture was given on February 3rd, 2024, at the Dominican House of Studies.
For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events
About the Speaker:
Prof. Michael Root (Catholic University of America) is formerly Ordinary Professor of Systematic Theology at The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC. Root is a native of Norfolk, Virginia and studied at Dartmouth College (B.A.) and Yale University (Ph.D. in theology). He was received into the Catholic Church in August, 2010. His particular theological interests are ecumenical relations, eschatology/last things, and grace and justification. Root has been a member of the US and international LutheranCatholic dialogues, the US LutheranUnited Methodist dialogue, the AnglicanLutheran International Working Group, and the Anglican Lutheran International Commission. He served on the drafting teams that produced the Lutheran-Roman Catholic Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode