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Justified by Faith Alone (Today's Issues)

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There are some, perhaps many, in our day who think there is a possibility of evangelical churches and the church of Rome being united one day. They believe that perhaps the differences between them are not as great as they have been in the past. This booklet by R.C.Sproul would be a strong corrective to any whose thinking is along those lines. The way a person is justified is the most important doctrine related to a person's salvation. Mr. Sproul highlights one of the most significant differences between the evangelical understanding of justification and the church of Rome's teaching on justification on pages 12-13."Justification refers to a legal action by God by which he declares a person just in his sight. ... Catholics agree that justification occurs when God declares a person just. However,when evangelicals speak of forensic justification,...what is tacit is the assumption that God declares people to be just who in themselves are not just. Rome teaches that God declares people to be just only when they are in fact just." The Evangelicals insist upon the ground of a person's justification being the righteousness of Christ alone(based upon His perfect obedience to the law of God)whereas the Roman Catholic Church teaches that the ground of a person's justification is the work of Christ plus the work of the believer. Until there is agreement here there can never be reconcilliation that would be Biblically based. Another very helpful feature of this booklet is the concise chart on pages 46-47 which detail the significant differences(consisting of 11 points), between the Reformation view and the Church of Rome's view on justification by faith. This booklet is short but very helpful and concise on this vital issue.

Martin Luther famously said that justification by faith alone "the article by which the church stands or falls." So certain of its importance to the Christian faith was Luther that it became the crucial dividing issue between the Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches.

Today, however, many evangelicals "know" that we are justified by faith alone but are not entirely sure what it means. And because of this uncertainty, we begin to ask--does it really make sense? And is it really that important?

In his (very) short book Justified by Faith Alone, R.C. Sproul answers that question with a resounding yes as he lays out the Roman Catholic and Protestant doctrines of justification.

One of Dr. Sproul's greatest gifts as a teacher is his ability to clearly and charitably examine positions with which he disagrees. In doing so, he manages to clear up a great number of misconceptions that Protestants have regarding Romanism.

A key example is whether or not Roman Catholicism offers a works-based salvation. Sproul argues that it is, in fact, not accurate to make this claim. As he examines Roman Catholic teaching, he reveals that faith in Christ is essential to salvation... it's just not all you need. The congregant's works of penitence, his acts of contrition, are also required. In essence, the Roman Catholic position is that of faith in Christ plus works equal justification (Justification = Faith + Works).

The Protestant position, however, is that faith in Christ alone brings justification, and our works are our response to and the evidence of our right standing before God (Faith=Justification + Works).

Sproul is also quick to address the common complaint against the Protestant position, which is that it is Antinomianism. In this error, we are saved by faith in Christ alone (justification), and there need be no evidence of saving faith (Faith=Justification - Works). However, the Scriptures are clear that one who says that he has faith, but there is no evidence of it in his life is a liar (cf. James 2:14-26).

Justified By Faith Alone is an important book, one that I believe readers of all ages and stages would benefit greatly from. Read the book, and gain a greater understanding and appreciation for this crucial doctrine--and praise God that it is by faith in Christ alone that we are saved.

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The review is based upon an audio production of this book provided through ChristianAudio's reviewer program

There is probably no other resource on the topic of Justification that says so much in so few pages. I admit that this was a tough read at times but the information in here is right to the point. It points out the differences between Roman Catholic justification and Evangelical justification in a well thought out and well reasoned way.

I highly recommend it.

This is the most concise, simple and clear explanation of the biblical position of justification by faith alone that I have found. For the sake of the gospel, I hope more Christians prepare themselves to truly understand the biblical position and importance in the work of Christ on the cross. Sproul does a great job.

So, recently I had the privilege of reviewing Sproul's "Justification by Faith Alone" via ChristianAudio
and for such a short book/listen, I'm impressed with Sproul. I don't have much experience with Sproul, other than his classic "The Holiness of God" (which you should read, if you haven't already), but let me give you a brief and honest review of the book. Sproul starts our with a phenomenal critique of evangelicalism and their common misconception of what justification by faith alone is meant by our reformation fathers; the first two chapters dedicated to delving the general understanding of what justification is, and justification according to the Roman Catholic faith. If there is anything I can stress about this book, the third chapter is the most pivotal towards your understanding of justification by faith alone. We evangelicals are renown for blurring the line between justification and sanctification (the process of regeneration) and teaching our congregations that the terms are synonymous (which is a theological tragedy). Sproul does an incredible job with this subject, highly recommend this book if you desire knowledge in this area.

As a seminary guy, I find this book an incredible tool for the layperson and scholar alike. Scholars may use this as a crash course of the theology & history of justification by faith alone; laymen of the church will find that this book is directly to the point, no nonsense, and enjoyable.

In Justified by Faith Alone, R. C. Sproul describes the differences between the Roman Catholic church's doctrine of justification and that of the evangelical church. This debate was central to the Reformation and yet the author says that it is commonly misunderstood.

After introducing the reader to the meaning of justification and explaining the importance of the debate, he proceeds to explain each of the two viewpoints and then provides further explanation of the Reformation arguments. I found this book - barely more than a pamphlet, really - to be quite interesting. I learned a great deal from it and my understanding of the topic was helped by it. I was pleased by the care with which Sproul explained both sides, avoiding a one-sided debate.

I should point out that this book is neither a light overview nor a Biblical study of the topic. It is much more focused on the historical than the practical and therefore uses numerous Latin phrases that had significance to the Reformers as well as upper-level English that many might find confusing.

Regardless, I am glad that I listened to the audiobook. The book was aided by the exceptional narration and recording quality. The narrator's voice was warm and his enunciation was excellent.

If Latin and college-level English don't bother you, I encourage you to listen to this audiobook. You won't regret it.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this audiobook free from the christianaudio Reviewers Program ([...]). I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing these things in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The battle between Roman Catholics and Protestants on their view of Justification is still as hot and controversial as ever. While many who are both inside and outside the church see the two as part of the same family, those who are more in the know are aware of the fact that each sees the other as the confused brother who misunderstood the Father.

Historically, the two sides strongly disagree on whether justification is imputed by faith alone or infused by faith plus works; additionally, there is quarreling on whether one must be baptized, pay indulgences, make penance and if one may lose his or her salvation.

R. C. Sproul wrote Justified by Faith Alone (A very short book) almost like an essay which he then expanded and sectioned out into a book. Chapter one just does a cursory overview of the issue between Roman Catholics and Protestants, but devotes one chapter to each in an effort to explore the two views separately.

In the final chapter, Sproul sums everything up well and breaks up Justification, Faith and Works in an easy to understand manner that you can write out and take with you anywhere. They are:

Roman Catholicism: Faith + Works = Justification
Protestant: Faith = Justification + Works
Antinomian: Faith = Justification - Works

Overall, the book is good with a few fancy Latin terms thrown in which always make the experience enjoyable. However, along with the lack of scriptural references, the audio book format made it somewhat hard to follow as I often got the impression that the whole publication was bullet points that were being read out loud, which can get dreary at times. But seeing as the book is just barely over an hour long, it is similar to listening to an English accented Ben Stein lecture on History for one period in High School; which is not a stab at the reader, but the format of the book.

In conclusion, I give this book a good rating mainly because while the style of the book is somewhat dull, the content is worth a read; especially if you are engaged with people over the topic.

Sola fide et simul justus et peccator! (By faith alone and at the same time just and sinner)

Review done for christianaudio Reviewers Program [...]

R.C. Spoul goes back to the time of the Reformation to explain the doctrine that justification is by faith in Christ alone. Although their were many doctrines debated during the time of the Reformation, one doctrine stood at the center of everything. How is a person saved? Are they justified by faith? Or are they justified by works? Sproul shows the reader in depth the arguments of the Reformers, led by Martin Luther, against Rome and the Papacy.

Sproul's goal is obviously not a in depth Biblical study of "justification by faith", but and in-depth portrayal of the arguments for it against Rome. This is a historical narrative more than a Biblical narrative. The text is layered with quotes from Martin Luther, John Calvin, Roman leaders, among others. After reading/listening to this book, you will have a full understanding of the stance the Reformers took and the stance of Rome. I was happy to hear the Roman views discussed in depth. This gives the reader a good contrast.

This book is not a light read. If you are studying the doctrine of "Justified by Faith Alone," this may not be a good starting point. Since Sproul does not do a direct Biblical Study of the doctrine in this book, you may consider coming back to this book after some Biblical foundation so you will not get lost in the historical narrative.

That being said, this is an excellent, well organized, concise book. It is a must read if you are studying the period of the Reformation.

One of my favorite quotes from the book:

"Having a personal relationship with Christ does not save us unless it is a saving relationship. Everyone has a personal relationship with Jesus. Even the Devil has a personal relationship with Christ. but, it is a relationship of estrangement, of hostility to Him. We are all related to Christ, but we are all not united to Christ, which union comes by faith and faith alone."

My one disappointment in the audio book is R.C. Sproul does not narrate. Having listened to Sproul on the radio and podcast, I would have liked to hear his voice.

Original review can be seen on my blog [...]

Review done for christianaudio Reviewers Program [...]

Trevor T.

Great book. Everyone should read to understand justification by faith alone.

Since I reject the reformation doctrine, I seek to have the author's creed in hand in preparation for debates. The Scriptures do not teach "justified by faith alone," rather, the Scripture teaches "justified by faith." There is a difference.