Divergent Views on Spirituality - Dissertation Example

This paper shall continue to assess their views by delving deeper into the terminologies they used and arrive at a theory whereby the perceived gap between the two may be resolved.The study of the doctrine of justification5 is considered the cornerstone of Christian doctrine6 by many Christian scholars—the article by which the church stands or falls, according to Luther. John Calvin concurred, calling justification by faith the “pivot” of the Reformation. Was it the historic Christian view?

 Generally, the history of the doctrine of justification was that solafideanism was taught subliminally,9 but not unequivocally,10 from the commencement of the Church. In essence, it was recognized in the first church that salvation was by solafideanism, but this teaching had to be taught explicitly from the sixteenth century as the Church faced challenges and opposition.During the first three centuries of the Christian era, the doctrine justification was not a matter like the Christological and Trinitarian debates.

Nevertheless, seeds were sown in those formative years that bore fruit in themedieval period. For example, the Greek wordmeromai(to receive one’s share) was translated by the Latin word meritum (to be worthy of something) which brought the concept of “merit” into medieval theology, effecting the biblical doctrine of justification.13As such alien philosophical ideas distorted the biblical meaning of justification, therefore, contributing to the Roman concept of justification.

No doctrine is more misinterpreted and ignored even by Protestants, more than the scriptural doctrine of justification by faith only.14 The Bible imparts that any believer that basically and truly trusts in Jesus Christ as his/her Savior from transgression is at that point irretrievably and everlastingly justified. Justification is consequently a completed deed of God which is exclusively consummated by Him and not defined by a life full of devotion and dedicated holy living. Therefore, it seems that there can be no hesitation that both the Old and New Testimonies teach the Protestant interpretation of legal justification.