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Key Doctrines

Justification

God's act of declaring a sinner righteous in his sight — the central word of the Reformation debate, defined differently across traditions.

Not To Be Confused With

Justification (a change of STANDING — declared righteous) is classically distinguished from sanctification (a change of CONDITION — made holy). Whether justification is purely declarative or also transformative is the crux of the debate.

A courtroom verdict word from dikaiosyne. Protestants confess justification by faith alone through imputed righteousness; Catholics by grace through faith with infused righteousness and cooperation. The full case is laid out in the disputed question.

Related Terms

Seen In These Debates

Related Word Studies

Justification — Definition | Theologos Media