Gerðir kirkjuþings - 1995, Qupperneq 112

(30) Thls difference in Lutheran and Catholic understanding of justification represents
different concems and emphases. The difference has been described with the concep-
tual pair 'forensic' and 'effective/lO 0r more recently with 'proclamatory' and
'transformationaL'll But these are not mutualiy contradictory terms which 'cut
through everything we have in common, and make mutual condemnation compellingly
necessary-,'12 for both sides do affirm the concems of the other side and seek to
preserve the whole gospel including forgiveness of sins and the renewal of life, while
holding that justifícation is both unmerited and unconditional.
(31) - When according to Lutheran understanding faith suffices for justification before
God, then the renewal of life, without which faith cannot exist, is distinguished from
justification but not separated from it.
(32) - When according to Catholic understanding the renewal of life through the graœ
of justification is emphasized, then this renewal in faith, hope, and love is nothing else
than the response to God’s unfathomable gift of grace. It contributes nothing to
justification on the basis of which one could make an appeai before God.
4.5 The Relationship Between Law and Gospel
(33) Catholics and Lutherans confess together that people are justifíed by faith in the
gospel 'apart from works prescrit>ed by the law' (Rom 3:28). Christ has fulfiUed and
overcome the law and its works as a way to saivation. Catholics can agree when
Lutherans state that the law as a way to saJvation is fulfilled and overcome through
the gospel, and that in this sense Christ is not a lawgiver as was Moses.
(34) At the same time, however, Catholics and Lutherans confess that God’s com-
mandments remain vaiid for those who are justified and that Christ in his teaching
and life gave expression to the demands of God’s will, to wliich also the justified owe
obedience.
(35) Since the justified remain exposed to the onslaught of sin tiiroughout their lives,
they also remain exposed to the law’s accusatdon and, believing the gospel, they tum in
faith iinreservedJy to God’s merciful grace in Christ, which aione declares and makes
them just.
and Bonaventura’s 'hat>ere est haberi' quoted by P. Fransen, in: MySaJ IV/2
(Einsiedeln 1973) 933.
9 Cf. DS 1530.
10 Condemnations, 48.
11 Jusrífication by Faith, 8,20,90f.
12 Condemnations, 47.
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