4 comments

1. …it is insulting to the most holy merit of Christ to assert that a second justification, which consists in our works, is better, greater, more worthy before God than the first, which depends on the merit of Christ alone, and indeed that not the first but the second justification merits eternal life. In this way, to be sure, the merit of Christ is buried, and the poison of pride is blown into the hearts of men to boast before God, while free will is conceived to cooperate with grace in this justification; our works thus either supersede the merit of Christ, which is blasphemy, or they perfect it, which is ridiculous.

   —Francis Turretin. A Textual Theological Exercise concerning the Harmony of Paul and James on the Article of Justification, in Justification By Faith Alone: Selected Writings From Theodore Beza, Amandus Polanus, and Francis Turretin, Classic Reformed Theology vol, 6, trans. Casey Carmichael (Reformation Heritage Books, 2023).

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   • One more from the same source:

     “…those two justifications mutually shatter themselves. The first overturns the second, and the second weakens the first. For if we have been reconciled to God perfectly through the first and established in a state of favor, why is the second necessary? If the second is necessary, the first did not indeed truly justify us, and thus it will not even merit the name of justification. But it is clear that the first was completed in every number and perfect from the circumstances and effects because it carries peace of conscience after it (Rom. 5: 1), boasting before God (Rom. 5: 2, 12), favor and salvation in every way (Rom. 4: 6– 7).”

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2. Scott and Heidelblog,

   Reading this, how does Bethlehem Baptist’s (J. Piper’s) statement differ from what Turretin wrote about (final?) salvation:

   “Although works may be said to contribute nothing to the acquisition of salvation, still they should be considered necessary to the obtainment of it, so that no one can be saved without them.”

   –Francis Turretin, Institutes of Elenctic Theology, ed. James T. Dennison Jr., trans. George Musgrave Giger, vol. 2 (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 1992–1997), 703.

   Are they saying the same thing in different words? Or?

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   • Chris,

     1. Turretin didn’t use the categories “initial” and “final,” which are Roman Catholic categories.

     2. Turretin didn’t make good works instrumental in so-called “final salvation.”

     3. Turretin certainly never wrote about “maintaining our justification” or salvation as Piper has done nor did Turretin say that our salvation “depends on the transformation of life.”

     For James, ‘justification by works’ means “maintaining a right standing with God by faith along with the necessary evidence of faith, namely the works of love.” (source)

     He did make good works fruit and evidence but neither Piper nor Bethlehem are satisfied with good works as fruit and evidence.

     The problem with Piper’s formation, which the basis for Bethlehem’s statement is that he not satisfied with saying, as the Reformed have done since the early 16th century that good works flow from new life and true faith and that, in that sense, they are the way or just that they are. Good works are, They happen. Piper and Bethlehem make sanctification and good works the instrument of salvation. That’s false. Faith alone is the instrument of justification, sanctification, and salvation.

     That’s the doctrine of the Westminster Divines:

     Q. 33. What is justification?

     A. Justification is an act of God’s free grace, wherein he pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.

     Q. 35. What is sanctification?

     A. Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.

     As to Turretin, I answered this question here:

     Witsius And Turretin On The Necessity And Efficacy Of Good Works In Salvation

     See also these:

     • Turretin: We Do Good Works Because We Live By The Gospel
     • Turretin Contra Final Justification Through Good Works
     • Turretin: Works Justify Faith
     • Fesko’s critique of Piper’s appeal to the Reformed tradition./li>

     No, Piper, Fuller, and Bethlehem are saying one thing and Turretin is saying something else.

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