Tag: Proof Passages

Q & A

Category Listings
This section addresses objections surrounding UOJ and is divided into tabs according to 3 categories below:

Category 3 (UOJ Proof Passages) could have easily fallen under either of the first two categories. For this reason and due to the fact that each proof passage contains a fairly detailed explanation, UOJ Proof Passages became its own category.

Instructions
Each individual objection is presented as a question, a statement (in response to a question), or a proof passage…all in keeping with the each of the 3 categories, in a closed accordion style entry (to save space).  Once opened, each listed entry contains the answer or analysis for each objection. To see each answer/analysis, simply click the large orange “+” symbol next to each question/statement. When finished with each answer/response, you can either close the response (click on the big orange “-” symbol) and open the next one or simply click on the next “+” symbol and the previous response will close automatically.

While it may be helpful to read each category tab, with each of its listed objections, all the way through one-at-a-time, you may also find it useful to skip around a bit.

Category Tabs

1) Direct Objections to UOJ2) Analyzing the Defense of UOJ3) UOJ Proof Passages

Category 1 - Direct Objections to UOJ

Truth or Fine Sounding Argumentation?
One way in which proponents of UOJ attempt to overcome the objections associated with the fact that Scripture clearly states that unbelievers stand condemned under God’s wrath is by making the claim that there is a law/gospel distinction being made between God’s condemnation and God’s forgiveness as explained by UOJ.

According to this line of thinking, it is simply a matter of the law when we understand that unbelievers stand condemned by God. By contrast, it is a matter of the gospel (so it is taught) to understand that these same unbelievers have God’s forgiveness applied to their lives. The two teachings, though seemingly contradictory (according to the proponent of UOJ) can still coexist nicely, once we understand this law/gospel distinction.

~ Col 2:4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.

While this may be a fine-sounding argument, I would suggest that it is a hollow and deceptive philosophy which has been imposed upon the text of Scripture rather than pulled from the text.

~ Col 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

Why do I think this is just a fine sounding argument? What about those times when Scripture fails to speak in terms of the unbeliever’s condemnation under the law, but instead, speaks of the gospel being withheld?

More of The Same?
I’ve touched on the concept of “the gospel withheld” in a couple of other Q & A’s, but I believe this deserves its own Q & A, so we can dig into it in more detail.

Quite simply, the gospel withheld, by itself, disproves UOJ.

To be clear, those passages which speak of wrath and condemnation before a holy God, can indeed, rightly be considered law passages, while those passages which speak of justification, forgiveness and righteousness can also rightly be considered gospel passages.

If what I have just said is true, then what’s the problem?

Here it is. The law and the gospel do not…cannot…apply equally to the same person at the same time.

Under Law or Grace?
When we look at the whole of Scripture and allow Scripture to interpret Scripture, we come to realize that the believer is no longer under the law, but under grace. The law no longer applies to him in the same way that it did when he was an unbeliever.

~ Ro 6:14 [Speaking to those who have been brought from death to life – i.e. believers] For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

The flip side is also true – the unbeliever is not under grace (in a legal sense), rather he is exclusively under the law. Yes, God bestows some measure of grace on all of creation, but we are not speaking of that, here. We are speaking of God’s grace in a forensic (legal) sense in regards to God’s eternal judgement, specifically in regard to justification, forgiveness and righteousness. In this sense, the unbeliever is not under God’s grace, he is exclusively under the law.

~ Ro 3:19  Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.

The long and the short of it is that those passages which speak of the unbeliever’s condemnation and wrath are specifically statements of condemnation and wrath, under the law.

Moreover, those passages which speak of the believer as having received God’s justification, forgiveness and righteousness are specifically statements of gospel, to those under God’s grace.

Distinction or Blending?
To say that the unbeliever is both condemned and forgiven at the same time is not a distinction between law and gospel, but a blending of law and gospel. It is equivalent to saying that the unbeliever is both under the law and under grace at the same time.

If we are going to use a law/gospel argument, let’s use the law and the gospel correctly (and fully) without blending the two together. Any good Lutheran knows that we should always be careful to use the law and the gospel correctly, including the fact that we should never mix the two together.

But wait…there’s more!
Scripture not only speaks of the unbeliever as standing under God’s wrath and condemnation, but it also speaks specifically of the gospel being withheld from him. In other words, Scripture not only speaks of the law condemning the unbeliever, but at the other end of the spectrum (or on the other side of the coin, if you will) of his NOT being forgiving by the gospel.

I’m no rocket scientist, but it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that the gospel cannot rightly be said to be fully applied (though not credited) and to be fully withheld at the same time.

Again, to be clear, I am not speaking of wrath and condemnation passages, here. I am speaking of gospel withheld passages. There is an important distinction to be made between the two.

Proofs of Gospel Withheld
Let’s take a look at a few passages which specifically speak of the gospel being withheld.

We’ll begin in the Old Testament. An argument could be made that these OT passages do not apply to those in the NT era. I would encourage you to look them up for yourself in their broader context to see if any of these are exclusively for the people of the OT or whether some (or all) are intended to be understood in an ongoing sense.

Moreover, UOJ teaches that God’s forgiveness is essentially retroactive, meaning it not only applies from the cross (or empty tomb, as the case may be) forward, but goes all the way back to creation. So, if you want to argue that these OT passages do not apply, you’ll have to factor this retroactive application into your thinking as you try to wrap your head around the problems with UOJ.

OT Passages:

~ Deut 29:19-20 When such a person hears the words of this oath, he invokes a blessing on himself and therefore thinks, “I will be safe, even though I persist in going my own way.” This will bring disaster on the watered land as well as the dry. The LORD will never be willing to forgive him; his wrath and zeal will burn against that man. All the curses written in this book will fall upon him, and the LORD will blot out his name from under heaven.

This chapter ends with these words from verse 29 (see, I’ve done some of the context homework for you…you’re welcome 😜): 

~ “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.”

So, what do you think? Could this entire OT passage (verses 19-29) include those of us in the NT era?

Next…

~ Ex 23:20-21 “See, I am sending an angel [Many would say this angel (messenger) is Christ] ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared. Pay attention to him and listen to what he says. Do not rebel against him; he will not forgive your rebellion, since my Name is in him.

~ Num 14:18 The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty…

Notice this last verse (Num 14:18) is clearly speaking of God’s slowness to anger and of his abounding and steadfast love as expressed in forgiveness. Yet, even though it speaks of the wonders of God’s love and forgiveness, his abounding love is not bound-less love. His love has boundaries which coincide with his justice and holiness. God will not clear (gospel) the guilty (law).

Did you catch the significance of this verse. If any verse in all of Scripture has potential for being a perfect UOJ proof, the first part of this verse would lead us to believe that this is it!

UOJ assumes God’s love, as expressed through forgiveness, is boundless. Yet, though this verse speaks of God’s abounding love, expressed through forgiveness, it also does that which the rest of Scripture consistently does, it refuses to result in UOJ. The second portion of the verse goes out of its way to explain the whole truth of the matter. Namely, that God’s love, expressed through forgiveness, though abounding is not boundless.

For God’s wrath and judgement remain for the guilty. The guilty have no part in the forgiveness of the first part of the verse. The guilty are not cleared of their guilt as the second part of the verse states. Finally, the guilty are not the guilt free, but remain the guilty as the second part also states.

In short, the gospel is withheld from them.

Let’s move on the the New Testament.

NT Passages:

~ Mt 6:14-15 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

~ Jn 20:23 If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

~ Acts 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.

~ Mt 12:32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

Conclusion
As you can hopefully see from the above passages, the unbeliever’s condemnation before God is more than a matter of a law/gospel distinction. Scripture not only informs us that the unbeliever is condemned under the law, but, in keeping with the testimony of Scripture, he is not forgiven either.

While these two sides of the same truth ought to be self evident, UOJ attempts to confuse the issue by claiming a supposed law/gospel distinction which is ultimately a blending of law and gospel (rather than a distinction between the two) as explained above.

What it comes down to is this: The word of God very clear states that those who do not find themselves among the made-new children of God remain unforgiven, while the words of men claim (contrary to God) that these same unbelievers are forgiven.  Bearing in mind that I have attempted to demonstrate (under the 3rd category tab, “UOJ Proof Passages”) UOJ has never legitimately (in context) been proved from Scripture, in the first place.

Either you believe our God of order, has both forgiven and not forgiven the unbeliever at the same time, or you (at the very least) are willing to question the idea…if not forsake it altogether.

If enough people question it, maybe Lutheran theologians will eventually feel compelled to legitimately discuss and debate…including actually listening to and considering an alternative (more biblical) view.

As for me, I have to conclude that God said what he meant and meant what he said…”not forgiven” means not forgiven, rather than meaning not forgiven and also forgiven. Call me crazy.

The gospel withheld, by itself, disproves UOJ.

Which is more consistent with the entire testimony of Scripture (both Old and New Testaments), UOJ or JIC?

You may be wondering why I’ve included questions about both the unforgivable sin and the gospel withheld, when both seem so similar.

Well, there is certainly overlap between these two questions as well as the question regarding the Ministry of the Keys. Scripture speaks against UOJ in a number of similar, yet distinct, ways. Essentially, the unforgivable sin is, indeed, an example of the gospel withheld, but it is an extreme example where Jesus emphatically declares that those who commit this sin, will not only be unforgiven in the age to come, but are already unforgiven in this age as well.

Moreover, though proponents of UOJ have sometimes heard (and responded to) the objection that the unforgivable sin disproves UOJ by claiming a law/gospel distinction, to the best of my knowledge, no one has made the argument that the unforgivable sin specifically stands as an example of the gospel withheld (lack of gospel), not just an example of the sinner’s condemnation (law).

In other words, the unforgivable sin not only speaks of the unbeliever’s condemnation, but more specifically of his lack of forgiveness. He cannot be forgiven and expressly unforgiven at the same time. The unforgivable sin expressly speaks of the sinner as being without forgiveness (without the gospel) rather than his being condemned (under the law).

Therefore, 1) due to the fact that the unforgivable sin is a somewhat common objection to UOJ (and a strong objection at that) as well as 2) the fact that the gospel withheld is a seemingly new slant on the unforgivable sin (in addition to other Bible passages which speak of the unbeliever’s lack of forgiveness – rather than his condemnation), I felt both subjects deserved their own Q & A.

So, what is the difference between the unforgivable sin and the gospel withheld? Well, the gospel withheld does not necessarily refer to the unforgivable sin, but the unforgivable sin is one example of the gospel withheld.

Now, onto our next similar/related subject, the “Ministry of the Keys.”

Related Question: What is the difference between the gospel withheld and the unforgivable sin?
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What is Meant by Spiritual Identity?

This is a critically important doctrine which is largely overlooked or misunderstood throughout much of Christianity. Personally, this just blows my mind due to the fact that the testimony of Scripture is so obvious on the matter. When I first discovered this reality for myself, I was sure I was the only big dope who didn’t understand it…due to its being so obvious in the text of Scripture. Since, then I have only become more and more convinced that many (if not most) Christians (did you catch how nice I was being?…notice I did not say, “other dopes” 😉) do not understand it.

I’ll attempt to keep my explanation brief, yet thorough enough to understand.

Unconverted Man

Essentially, it comes down to this: According to Scripture, man is made up of two fundamental parts – flesh (or, body) and spirit (Mt 26:41 & 2Co 7:1). According to our normal, natural, fallen condition, we are all sinful in both flesh and spirit from conception forward. It would be true to say of the unbeliever, that he not only commits sin, but that he is sin. He is sinful through-and-through. He can do nothing to please God and can only sin all of the time. God puts it this way:

~ Ps 51:5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

~ Isa 64:6 All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags.

~ Heb 11:6 Without faith it is impossible to please God.

~ Ro 14:23 Everything that does not come from faith is sin.

You might think of it like this…

Imagine I am covered in sloppy, wet mud from head to toe. I am a walking mud-pile, with only two white eyeballs showing through all of the filth.

Though I may desire to do some nice things for you, you would likely prefer I did not. Though I might offer to give you a hug; to make your lunch or to wash your new white shirt, you would likely decline my offers.

Why?

Because everything I would do – everything I would touch – would be covered in filth. Everything I had done would be tainted by the filthy stains I had left behind. In this filthy condition, I could not help but to leave filth’s stains behind, in all I’d do.

So it is with my sin. When sinful through-and-through (in both flesh and spirit), everything I think, say and do is tainted by sin. This is why God cannot see anything other than filthy rags when, even my best attempts to please him, are done apart from saving faith. This is why God must declare:

~ Ro 14:23 Everything that does not come from faith is sin.

And:

~ Heb 11:6 Without faith it is impossible to please God.

Converted Man

By contrast, however, when the Holy Spirit produces faith in the heart of man, he also transforms him, he births new life in him and the man becomes a new creation.

I want to be very clear here. Many Christians today are confused by the sinner/saint status of the Christian. Because we still sin, many (in my experience, it is not just many but most) Christians seem to believe that God merely chooses to see us as new and/or righteous. They believe that God has NOT actually made us righteous, but only chooses to see us that way. “After all,” they seem to conclude. “I am obviously still a sinner. How could I possibly be actually, literally perfect or righteous?” They believe there is only a change in status (how God sees us), but not a change in condition (how God has made us to be). Sure, they may realize they have some new, improved desires, but they seem to see this as only the result of a new attitude, not a fully new condition.

But, Scripture doesn’t allow for these faulty conclusions. God has made it very clear that he not only sees us as new (sees us as righteous), but he has actually, literally made us new in spirit. Though our sinful flesh remains, the spirit of the true Christian is entirely new, robed in the righteousness of Christ.

Don’t take my word for it. Here is what God has to say about it:

~ Ezek 36:25-26 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities… I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you.

~ Jn 3:3-6 In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again…I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

~ 2 Co 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

~ Isa 61:10 I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness

~ 1 Co 6:17 Anyone joined to the Lord is one spirit with him. (CSB)

~ Ro 8:10 But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.

This last verse (Ro 8:10) gives us the clearest picture of just what it is that I am referring to. As Christians, we have been given new life in spirit. We are literally perfectly righteous – robed in the righteousness of Christ, one spirit with him. Yet, this new spirit is wrapped up (so to speak) in our remaining sinful flesh. We are literally a saint and a sinner at the same time. Not because God merely chooses to see us as a saint even though we are really only a sinner, but because we have been perfected in Christ (in spirit), even though a sinful flesh remains.

This is key! For God sees us (views us, looks at us) not according to the flesh, but according to our having been made a new creation in spirit.

~ 1 Sam 16:7 The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

~ 1 Pt 3:4 Instead, it [a woman’s beauty] should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

~ Jn 4:23-24 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”

~ Ro 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.

Summary & Conclusion

Therefore, the unbeliever, who is sinful through-and-through in both flesh and spirit can do nothing good in God’s sight. While the Christian, on the other hand, is viewed only according to his righteousness in Christ. Yes, God is aware of the sins of his flesh and may even discipline him in order to keep him in the true faith and from falling away (once again dying in spirit). But he is seen (and judged, if you will) by God according to his made-new spiritual identity.

Now, that we (hopefully) have this clear in our minds, what does this have to do with UOJ?

Proponents of UOJ state that God has declared all (even the unbeliever) to be justified, forgiven and righteous in his sight…that all (including the unbeliever) have had a change in their status (how God views them), though not a change in their nature (how God has made them to be).

UOJ, therefore, assumes justification (the declaration of a change in status) comes before sanctification (a change in nature). This, however, is never proven by the proponent of UOJ.

I would argue that justification and sanctification essentially happen simultaneously and that God only declares the sinner to be righteous as a result of his having been made righteous by way of a new spirit (see: Related Question below). In other words, God only declares to be true that which is actually true, not that which is untrue.

Otherwise, according to UOJ, God is declaring the man who is still sinful through-and-through (in both flesh and spirit); the man who cannot possibly please God (Heb 11:6); the one whose best efforts at righteous acts are nothing but filthy rags (Isa 64:6); the one whose every action (in fact, he himself) is only sin apart from faith (Ro 14:23), as not only justified, but righteous. Effectively, UOJ states that God declares a lie to be true.

By contrast, according to JIC, God remains true to himself and only declares those who have been made new (those who have been made righteous), to be righteous.

Therefore, spiritual identity, by itself, disproves UOJ.

Which is more consistent with the entire testimony of Scripture, UOJ or JIC?

 

Completed or Ongoing Sanctification?
Above I spoke of justification (being declared righteous) and sanctification (having been made righteous) essentially happening simultaneously. In so doing, I explained that the believer has been fully sanctified by way of receiving a new spirit. But, doesn’t Scripture teach that the believer is still being sanctified?

Actually, Scripture teaches both…that the believer is fully sanctified and is continuing to be sanctified. Moreover, there is a perfectly simple and reasonable explanation as to why this is so.

Let’s look at a couple of quick examples.

The believer’s sanctification is already completed:

~ 1 Corinthians 6:11 And that is what some of you were [sinners, of the kinds Paul listed in verses 9-10]. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

 

The believer’s sanctification is incomplete and ongoing:

~ 1 Thessalonians 4:1-4 Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living…It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable…

In context, both passages are obviously speaking to believers (as indicated in the second passage by Paul’s use of the word “brothers”). Note the distinction between these two passages, however. The first seems to speak of the time of our conversion, while the second speaks of the ongoing life of sanctification. Note too, the controlling of the body (the flesh) in the second passage.

The long and the short of it is this…the believer has been fully sanctified in spirit, while at the same time he continues to be sanctified in flesh.

Related Question: Doesn't Scripture teach that the believer is still being sanctified?
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Another Possibility
According to UOJ, God has forgiven all sinners (including unbelievers) whether they believe it (or are even aware of it) or not.

According to UOJ, it is ASSUMED that justification, forgiveness and righteousness (among other things) are all effectively synonymous.

Further, according to UOJ, it is ASSUMED that forgiven sin = forgiven sinner. Moreover, forgiven sinner = all sinners forgiven (believer and unbeliever alike).

Yet, is there another possibility?

In keeping with JIC, forgiven sin ≠ forgiven sinner, except through faith (note, that I used a “does not equal” symbol, there…you caught that, right?).

The questions from proponents of UOJ then become, “How can sin be actually forgiven if each individual has not been forgiven? In other words, how can sins be actually forgiven apart from sinners being actually forgiven, as well?

Simple. As explained earlier in the “God Says” section of this site, this forgiveness for each person’s sins has been forgiven in Christ’s account and is then distributed to individuals (each person’s own account) exclusively through faith.

Why Does This Matter?
Okay, so what if it’s true that sins forgiven, may not equate to each and every sinner forgiven? What’s the point?

I address this subject for a couple of reasons:

1) To illustrate the point that there are numerous assumptions inherent in UOJ theology, which have not been proven.

2) To hopefully emphasize the need for each of us as Christians to think critically and to be willing to question that which we are being taught.  And, to do such thinking and questioning in light of Scripture and sound, biblical reasoning.

Let’s use Jn 1:29 to help illustrate my point.

 

Who Takes Away…

~ John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

Here, the proponent of UOJ may say, “See, there you have it! Scripture is clear. Christ, the lamb of God, has taken away the sins of the whole world.”

Well, aside from the obvious problems associated with the reality that this verse says nothing of the whole world’s sins having been already taken away. There’s still another issue…but, we’ll look at that in a moment.

First, lets address the obvious.

1) The verse does not say “has taken away” (as in the past) it says “takes away” (as in ongoing).

2) John’s having said, “has taken away” would make no sense, before Jesus went to the cross, in the first place.

3) Who else’s sins, but those of the world’s would Christ be taking away? In other words, just because the verse mentions the sin of the world, doesn’t necessarily mean that the whole world’s sin (all at once) is taken away, at least not in the way UOJ teaches. It can simply mean “…the lamb of God, who takes away sin from those of the world.”

Now, let’s address the less obvious. First, it is important to note that UOJ theologians have said, referring to this verse, that “takes away” means “already forgiven.” Actually, to be more specific, I just read a portion of one paper which said this:

“John 1:29 teaches objective justification. Jesus has taken away the sin of the world. This passage alone should settle the issue. What does take away mean, if not forgive?” (Objective Jusitification by Rolf Preus, http://www.christforus.org/objectivejustification.htm) Emphasis is mine.

Notice the phrase “takes away” in Jn 1:29 is changed by Mr. Preus to both “taken away” and “take away.” While both of these changes help to support UOJ, they are not the same as the biblical text, nor do they hold the same meaning.

Yes, I too put the meaning of the text of Scripture into my own words on this site and elsewhere, but here the meaning of the text is drastically altered to fit a teaching which is being imposed upon the text rather than pulled from it.

But, that’s not really the point. Though sadly, the reality is that I have found this kind of deception as fairly typical in UOJ circles (by the way, when I say “deception,” I am not stating emphatically that Mr. Preus is intentionally being deceptive, I am saying that the deception is there, whether intentionally from Mr. Preus or from the influence of sin and Satan in his own life). The real reason I use this example is to simply make the point that UOJ theologians suggest that “takes away” = already forgiven.

So, let’s run with that.

If “takes away” means already forgiven, then proponents of UOJ would have us understand Jn 29:1 to mean, “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who has already forgiven the sin of the world!”

Again, for the sake of argument, let’s say this verse actually means, “…has already forgiven all of the sins of the whole world.” The reality is this: sins, already forgiven, would still do nothing to prove UOJ.

Why?

Because forgiven sins ≠ forgiven sinners, in the way that UOJ promotes.

Do I think God has forgiven all of the sin of the whole world? Yes! Do I think God has applied that forgiveness to each and every individual – believer and unbeliever alike? No! I think and believe that God has applied that forgiveness to Christ’s account and distributes that forgiveness to individuals exclusively through faith.

But, in the end, it doesn’t matter what I think and believe. You have to determine what the bible really teaches for yourself.

I encourage you to think critically and to be willing to question the status quo, in light of Scripture.

What do you think? Does forgiven sin = forgiven sinner, in the UOJ sense?  Which makes more sense in light of Scripture, UOJ, JIC, or something else?

(For more on Jn 29:1, see Category Tab #3, “UOJ Proof Passages” above.)

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Category 2 – Analyzing the Defense of UOJ

Attempts at Defending UOJ
How does the proponent of UOJ go about defending UOJ when legitimate questions or objections are raised? Is the UOJ defense valid?  Is the defense biblical?  Is it based upon sound logic and reasoning, in light of Scripture?

Here, in Category 2 (Analyzing the Defense of UOJ), I have attempted to put forth a number of common defenses given by proponents of UOJ when a legitimated question or an objection is raised, followed by my own analysis of those defenses. 

In Category 1, everything was listed in a strictly Q & A format. Here, each listing is in a question/objection, defense, then analysis format (sometimes with multiple defenses and analyses following the same question/objection).

Upon opening each listing you will find 1) the original question/objection restated, 2) additional details about the defense from proponents of UOJ and 3) my analysis of that defense.  I encourage you to determine for yourself whether or not each defense of UOJ is a valid one, in light of Scripture and plain reasoning.

 

 

 

 

 

Category 3 – UOJ

Reasonable Doubt
Below are a number of commonly used “proof” passages used to support UOJ. With each of these passages of Scripture, much could be said in an effort to disprove or at least raise a reasonable doubt regarding the validity of UOJ. Instead of getting into great detail with each passage, however, I will simply offer here a very brief (as brief as possible, while still giving sufficient detail) analysis regarding the use of each passage as a proof for UOJ.

The
Bear in mind (and this is important), the burden of proof falls on the proponent of UOJ to prove his case from Scripture, not on the one questioning the use of a passage, to disprove it’s use. This is particularly true when the proponent of UOJ is so adamant in his theology, to the point of disfellowshipping those who would question the validity of UOJ, seemingly without serious questioning, analysis, discussion or debate.

 

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Final Thoughts

UOJ or JIC or…?
On this site, I have attempted to share (for a PDF download of the full text of this site that you too can share…or keep for yourself, click here) the teaching of UOJ, along with various problems associated with it .

Additionally, I have attempted to offer a more biblical view of justification (which I have come to call Justification in Christ or JIC – not a new teaching, just a new identifier for the original biblical teaching…in my view) which is consistent with all of Scripture, including those biblical teachings which I have suggested serve to disprove UOJ.

Further, the foundation behind JIC was borrowed from Lutheran theologians who, themselves, were proponents of UOJ.  What is that foundation? It is that Christ, himself, had to be vindicated/justified after having become sin for us.

Am I 100% convinced that JIC is the correct way to understand justification?  No.  But, I do lean heavily in that direction (about 99.9% convinced…I always leave some wiggle room to be corrected on any of my beliefs, but I also know what I believe and why I believe it…and, it’s not just “because my pastor said so.”) based on the biblical witness.

Am I 100% convinced that UOJ is NOT the correct way to understand justification?  At this point in time, again I would say 99.9% convinced.  And again, I am always willing to consider legitimate arguments from Scripture to the contrary (arguments FROM SCRIPTURE…you caught that, right?) At this point, I have read, researched and prayerfully considered much on the subject of UOJ and have been left thoroughly under-impressed with any supposed biblical arguments.

And, honestly, I don’t really care what other pastors, professors or Lutheran Fathers have to say on the issue unless it is directly taken from God’s word.

My Hope…
I hope that this site serves to spark critical thinking on the subject of justification.

I further hope that this site prompts further discussion among Lutherans (theologians and non-theologians), truly willing to openly listen and discuss.

One observation I have made regarding the proponents of UOJ is that most seem over-confident (I’ll refrain from saying arrogant – oh, I guess I just did 😲) in their stance on UOJ.  It is assumed that UOJ is the be-all, end-all position on justification. There often seems to be no legitimate consideration given to the possibility that UOJ could be wrong…only that the poor, yet-to-be-convinced, persistent errorist (the one who rejects UOJ) must be wrong.

I would suggest that this is not because the evidence from Scripture compels them to hold so tightly to UOJ (as we have seen some real problems with supposed “proof” passages for UOJ).  Rather, I would suggest that these proponents of UOJ are more inclined to hold tightly to UOJ due to pride, tradition, fear of disagreeing with UOJ (and being disfellowshipped), or the like, more than based on the supposed evidence itself (though maybe they have been thoroughly deceived by the enemy).

In this sense, they are akin to the secular scientist who rules out the possibility of a creator before ever looking at the evidence in creation. Just as this is not good science (leading the evidence where you want it to go, rather than following the evidence wherever it leads), so every Christian ought to be readily willing to admit he could be wrong in one way or another and ought to humbly consider another possibility while thoroughly examining all of the biblical witness on the subject.

Should we allow ourselves to be blown back and forth by every wind of teaching? Of course not! But we ought not (dare not) stubbornly refuse to consider real truth, in light of the full testimony of Scripture, either.

Sadly, in regard to UOJ, proponents seem to have closed their eyes and ears to any possibility of being corrected. Zech 7:11 comes to mind:

~ Zech 7:11 But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they closed their ears so they could not hear. (CSB)

But, I am fairly confident that not all “proponents” emphatically agree with UOJ (or each other).  I hope this site serves to embolden those who quietly disagree with UOJ to come out from hiding and to take a stand for truth…or at least take a stand for legitimate questioning and debate.

Finally, I hope this site serves to glorify God and to bring light to his truth, found in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

If I Have Failed…
If I have, at times spoken too harshly, I apologize. It was not my intention. Though it was my intention to put forth the truth and to put down error plainly and boldly (and hopefully with a bit of levity). I currently stand vehemently opposed to UOJ, but I have done my very best to present information here as honestly and objectively as possible. I have made every effort to avoid name-calling or other derogatory language and the like, while at the same time openly “telling it like it is.” I hope I have successfully shared the truth (as I understand it) in true Christian love and humility. I again, apologize if I have failed at some point.

Blessings
God’s blessings to you on your journey of discovery regarding God’s justifying work through Christ. May he lead you to a knowledge of the truth.

~ If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 (BSB)

God Says

 

What God's Word Says

What God Says About Justification
Before looking at God’s Word, we must first lay a little ground work.

Under My Skin
I once came upon an online debate of UOJ.  Strong views were coming from both sides – views from those for and from those against.  Part of the discussion centered around the key concept of acquired vs applied (meaning realized, not credited) justification and forgiveness, apart from saving faith.

This discussion of acquired vs applied justification really stuck with me…it got under my skin, so to speak.  Then, the light bulb went on and it struck me that, “This is it!”  This is what the whole debate comes down to.  

Did Christ only acquire justification for all (to be credited through saving faith) or did God apply (realize) justification for each and every individual, even for those still in unbelief?  

Various arguments were made for each side of the acquired/applied debate, yet as I recall, most (if not all) were arguments from reason and logic rather than from Scripture.  

But, what if it’s all right there in God’s word?  Further, what if it’s not an either/or equation, but a both/and equation? 

What do I mean?

Pause… UOJ is effectively a Lutheran doctrine (at least as it is spoken of on this site). As such, I recognize that I am writing primarily to Lutherans – Lutherans who are often accustomed to quoting Luther, the Confessions and/or other “Lutheran Fathers” nearly as often as (if not more often than) Scripture when it comes to a discussion of UOJ. On this site, little attention is given to these extra-biblical sources (the words of men), while heavy emphasis is given to Scripture (the Word of God)…gasp. 😮

Having said that, I would like to introduce our investigation of Scripture by utilizing one single quote from Luther to set up a biblical discussion.

 

Luther on Acquired vs Applied

“It is a faithful saying that Christ has accomplished everything, has removed sin and overcome every enemy, so that through Him we are lords over all things. But the treasure lies yet in one pile; it is not yet distributed nor invested. Consequently, if we are to possess it, the Holy Spirit must come and teach our hearts to believe and say: I, too, am one of those who are to have this treasure. When we feel that God has thus helped us and given the treasure to us, everything goes well…” Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, III, p. 279. Pentecost Sunday. John 14:23-31.J-528 (Emphasis is mine)

Note that Luther states that this treasure lies in one pile and has not yet been distributed nor invested.  In other words, it seems he is saying this treasure has been acquired, yet seemingly not made a reality (applied) for each and every individual’s personal existence, including the unbeliever….until faith apprehends it. Remember, it’s just “lyin’ around in a pile.”

Ah, ah, ah…I can practically see the expressions on some of your faces as you’re already conjuring up your refutation of what I’ve just said. You have no idea where I’m going with this, so just hold your horses and keep following along.

Where was I?

Ah, yes, it sounds like Luther disagrees with UOJ, but wait, there’s more.

Luther goes on to tell us how we come to possess this treasure (through faith/believing).  He does this even though he began his statement by also recognizing and acknowledging that Christ has accomplished everything, which includes removing sin.  What’s this?  Everything accomplished? The removal of sin?  This sounds similar to arguments made by proponents of UOJ.

So, which is it?  Does Luther agree or disagree with UOJ?

Here we have Luther acknowledging that Christ’s work is both fully accomplished (including the removal of sin), yet this treasure still needs to be distributed from the pile it is just lyin’ around in.

Consider this…although Luther seems to recognize that this treasure is acquired and not yet applied for each and every person, he states that this treasure is to be found (so to speak) in a pile.  I would suggest, however, that Scripture speaks of a much better “place” to find this treasure rather than in Luther’s “pile.” Let’s take a look.

Turning To God’s Word What happened at the cross?
First things first.  What happened at the cross?  

~ God made him who had no sin to be sin for us. 2 Co 5:21a

Here we learn…that 1) Christ was, in-and-of-himself, without sin and 2) he became sin for us.  

Therefore, we can say that according to his own life under the law, Jesus was without sin.  He was sinless. Yet, we can also legitimately say that at the cross Jesus became sin. He became actually guilty of all sin. In fact, he became every sinner’s sin. Jesus did not go to the cross merely carrying our sin as though he put our sins in a bag and slung them over his shoulder. No!  He became sin. 

At the cross, Jesus became actually and fully guilty of all sin of all time. It was as though he had become a murderer, a blasphemer, a thief and a liar. Not because he was guilty of sin in-and-of-himself, but because he became so totally and completely intertwined with all of humanity that he became full guilty – fully sinful – in your place and mine. Therefore, God the Father could rightly and justly pour out the full force of his wrath on Jesus in our place. More than this, God could now legitimately justify and forgive each of us because of what had happened to Christ. Christ became sin.

Now, if we have that squared away in our thinking, let’s see what happened next. Note that these first two verses are agreed upon by many theologians (Lutheran or otherwise) as referring to Christ (“me” = Christ).

~ He who vindicates me is near. Isaiah 50:8a

~ Without controversy, the mystery of godliness is great: God was revealed in the flesh, justified [vindicated] in the spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, and received up in glory. 1 Tim 3:16 (WEB)  Bracketed note is mine.

A number of Lutheran scholars have concluded (and I agree) that the gist of these verses is that after Christ died guilty of our sin, he, himself, needed to be justified (vindicated) on our behalf. Christ, himself, needed to be declared “right with God,” having paid the full penalty for sin.

Where Is Justification Found?
This being the case, the question becomes, “Where is our justification to be found?”  

Sadly, proponents of UOJ would emphatically state (numerous people have been disfellowshipped for disagreeing) that this justification has been made a reality (applied though, not fully credited) for all people, including the unbeliever. From a UOJ perspective, it is assumed that Christ’s own justification (vindication) automatically equates to the justification (vindication) of all people.

“In other words, what if God has not applied justification, forgiveness and righteous to each unbeliever’s personal account, but instead has applied AND credited each unbeliever’s personal justification, forgiveness and righteousness to…

I’m going to pause and repeat that in a different way so as to encourage you to truly ponder what I’ve just said.  UOJ A-S-S-U-M-E-S (it does not prove) the justification of Christ automatically equates to the justification of all. That is an enormous assumption!

Here are, quite possibly two of the most important questions you will ever hear regarding the topic of justification.

  1. Does Christ’s justification = the justification of all, or does it simply mean Christ, himself, has been justified on behalf of all?
  2. Does forgiven sin automatically = forgiven sinners?

In other words, in answer to our previous question (Where is our justification to be found?), proponents of UOJ conclude our justification is found in each and every individual – having been applied to the believer and the unbeliever alike. Though somehow not fully credited apart from faith.

But is this true? Or, is it over-reaching as a flawed interpretation of Scripture? Is it being read into the text, rather than drawn from the text?

Is Justification Found In A Pile?
What about Luther?

Is justification like a treasure “lying in a pile” as Luther suggests? Or, does Scripture offer us a better/fuller solution?

Soooo…does this treasure (our justification) lie in a pile? Hmmm. What if it is to be found stored up (so to speak) not in a place, but in a person? And, what if it were not only our justification, but also our forgiveness, our redemption, our acquittal, our righteousness, our life, our salvation and on and on…? What if all are to be found, not in a pile, but in Christ ? Now, there’s a radical thought. 😮

Further, what if one could argue that justification, forgiveness and righteousness have not only been acquired but fully applied and credited? 

Oh, but let’s be careful….

I am not suggesting that these have been applied and credited to each and every individual, rather that they have been applied and credited to one account and one account only…until, through faith, each is distributed to each individual believer’s account.

Is Justification Found In A Person?

Justification in ChristThink of it this way (here it comes…this is my favorite part 😁), what if God has not applied justification, forgiveness and righteous to each unbeliever’s personal account, but instead has applied AND credited each unbeliever’s personal justification, forgiveness and righteousness to Christ’s account?  

Stop…let that sink in.

What if this were essentially what so many proponents of JBFA have been trying to suggest for years, but without fully gasping all of the details in their own theology?  What if we were to give these details a name and call them “Justification In Christ” (JIC)?  And, what if this justification were both applied AND credited to each individual’s account exclusively by or through faith A-L-O-N-E?

What if the truth of Scripture actually brings both sides of the debate together? What if, in a very real sense, JBFA and UOJ are both true?  

Don’t Take My Word For It
Is this a viable possibility?  Maybe you don’t believe me?  Good!  You shouldn’t take my word for it.  How about looking to God’s word instead?

Please pay careful attention!  The following is what God has to say about justification, forgiveness, righteousness, etc…like it or not…believe it or not.  This is what we might call God’s objective truth on the matter…will you subjectively believe it?

Where is our justification and redemption to be found?  God’s, answer…in Christ.

~ For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Ro 3:23-24 (NKJV)  

Where is our reconciliation to be found?  Again…in Christ.

~ All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. 2 Co 5:18-19 

Where is our forgiveness?  In Christ.

~ Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Eph 4:32 

Where is our salvation?  In Christ.

~ Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 2 Tim 2:10 

Where is our righteousness?  In Christ.

~ We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. Col 1:28

~ God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him [in Christ] we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Co 5:21

→ How do we come to be in Christ ?  Well, you must decide for yourself in light of Scripture, but I would argue it comes by way of the means of grace through faith.  (See next verse, as well as, “How do we come to be in Christ?” below.) 

~ For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Gal 3:27-28 

Where is our new life/eternal life?  In Christ.

~ In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Ro 6:11 

~ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Co 5:17 

~ Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus. 2 Tim 1:1 

Where are our spiritual wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, redemption, forgiveness and grace to be found?  You guessed it…in Christ.

~ And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption. 1 Co 1:30 

~ To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus. 1 Co 1:2

~ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. Eph 1:7 

In fact, where are all of the incomparable riches of God’s grace to be found?  In Christ, of course.

~ You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 Tim 2:1

~ I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 1 Co 1:4 

~ In order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. Eph 2:7 

What is the real object of our faith?  Our own faith?  Our justification?  Our forgiveness?  UOJ?  No.  Let me ask it another way.  Where are all of the promises of God found and fulfilled?  In Christ.

~ For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. 2 Co 1:20 

In Christ, we are seated in the heavenly realms.  Pause and allow that one to sink in.  This, quite possibly, best demonstrates the point I am attempting to make with all of this.  Every spiritual blessing anyone could ever hope to have or imagine is so wrapped up in, hidden in, and encapsulated in Christ, that we (as believers) are even in heaven right this very minute…in Christ (go wrap your head around that one).  If this is true, how much more is our forgiveness, righteousness, acquittal, justification, etc. all wrapped up in, hidden in, and encapsulated in Christ?  

~ And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. Eph 2:6 

Though it be a mystery, the mystery is solved in Christ. 

~ And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ. Eph 1:9 

In Christ, every spiritual blessing is found and accomplished. 

~ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Eph 1:3 

~ According to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. Eph 3:11

How do we come to be in Christ?

~ And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Eph 1:13 

And, in Christ, we find our peace.

~ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:7 

~ Peace to all of you who are in Christ. 1 Peter 5:14

Whew! That was a lot. Wasn’t it so cool, though? Isn’t it awesome when we just allow God to do all of the talking on the subject of justification (or anything else)? Did I mention, that this is my favorite part of this site?

But wait…there’s still more.

God has justified the believer not the unbeliever

Outside of Christ
What about those who are not in Christ?  Do they stand acquitted, forgiven, righteous and justified? 

~ The Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment. 2 Pt 2:9 

~ Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? 1 Co 6:9 (NKJV) 

~ Whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. Jn 3:18 

~ Whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him. Jn 3:36

~ When he [the Spirit] comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:  in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me. Jn 16:8-9

~ If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven. Jn 20:23

Though proponents of UOJ think they have a valid response to these last 6 passages, there are serious flaws in the proposed solution (see Q & A, Category 1, Questions 4 & 5).

What the bible says about justificationConclusion
Nowhere in Scripture does God inform us that he has justified the whole world (as you’ll see when we get to the UOJ Proof Passages section of the site) other than with a justification that remains exclusively in Christ until distributed by faith. In other words, what God does say is that he has justified Christ and as a result, he justifies those who are in Christ.

~ He who vindicates me [Christ] is near. Isaiah 50:8a

~ Without controversy, the mystery of godliness is great: God was revealed in the flesh, justified in the spirit…. 1 Tim 3:16 (WEB)  

~ [All] being justified freely by his grace through the redemption which [is] in Christ Jesus; whom God has set forth a mercy-seat, through faith in his blood. Romans 3:24-25a (Darby)

~ Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1

~ And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13

~ For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified. Romans 10:10

Maybe it’s just me, but I can’t help but to conclude that the testimony of Scripture is clear.  As Christians, every blessing we have, everything we hope for, indeed, everything we are, is all wrapped up and encapsulated (I love that word in this context) only in Christ.

It looks something like this:

Justification in Christ - Table 3
Table 3

In keeping with JIC, one could legitimately argue that it would be correct to tell the unbeliever that God has fully and freely forgiven him in Christ.

On the other hand, one could also legitimately argue that it would be just as valid to tell the unbeliever, God will forgive him if/when he is granted the gift of faith in Christ.

For the record (just in case you were keeping a record), I didn’t come up with this stuff on my own. I did not come up with this just to create some theoretically viable way of bringing opponents from both sides together. (In fact, truth be told, I am loath to think of this as a possible form – though a very different form – of UOJ even though it would also serve as a form of JBFA. For years, I resisted presenting this truth in this way, because I became so opposed to UOJ.) Having said that, the reality is this…this is what the text of Scripture teaches. Go read the passages for yourself in context and see if they don’t still hold the same meaning compared to that which I have suggested.

Our justification, forgiveness and righteousness are found in Christ…A-L-O-N-E! 

I don’t see any way around it. (Though I’m sure many will cling to their previously held beliefs, over clinging to Scripture.)

Moreover, our good, gracious and just God has not granted these things to those who are not in Christ. Instead unbelievers remain separated, outside of this treasure which God has undeservedly bestowed upon those whom he has brought to himself…brought to himself, in Christ. The treasure is there for all. It is ready and waiting. It is a real (realized, actualized, not potential – more on this later) treasure. It is a treasure that lies, not in a pile, but in a person. It is distributed (credited) to individuals, freely by his grace through faith and through faith alone.  

But again, maybe that’s just me. As a Christian, you’ll have to decide for yourself how man comes to be forgiven, justified, acquitted, made righteous and the like. But as for me and my household, we’re going to cling to Christ as the object of our faith…not to faith itself…not to the false misleading doctrine of UOJ, not even to JBFA…not to anything else, but to Christ and to Christ alone.

Here we stand. We can do no other.

What about you?