Not of Works

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The teachings of the Reformed theologian, Norman Shepherd, are of great concern to many of his colleagues. In this book the author demonstrates that this concern is frequently based on misreadings. Profoundly mistaken, the criticisms are largely directed to views that are alien to Shepherd . Christ’s Church will be blessed if misunderstandings are removed and thoughtful theological reflection is given to the positions Shepherd really holds, doctrines that can be aptly summarized in quotations of 16th century Reformed theologians, such as the following:

We, indeed, allow that good works are required for righteousness: we only take away from them the power of conferring righteousness, because they cannot stand before the tribunal of God (John Calvin, 1551).

. . . we confess with Paul that no other faith justifies ‘but faith working through love’ [Gal. 5:6]. But it does not take its power to justify from that working of love (John Calvin, 1559).

. . . justification by faith is reconciliation with God, and. . . this consists solely in the remission of sins. . . (John Calvin, 1559).

Therefore, as he died for all, in respect to the sufficiency of his ransom ; and for the faithful alone in respect to the efficacy of the same, so also he willed to die for all in general, as touching the sufficiency of his merit, that is, he willed to merit by his death, grace, righteousness, and life in the most abundant manner for all. . . (Zacharius Ursinus, 1577).

. . . man can merit nothing from God. . . . Nor is the obedience of Christ meritorious in this respect, as though it added any thing to God, but it is called meritorious on account of the dignity of his person because he who suffered was the Son of God (Zacharius Ursinus, 1577).

But you will say, that the good and holy works of Christ our Mediator have wrought some part at least of that satisfaction, whereby God’s justice was appeased for us, and some part of that merit whereby God’s favour was purchased for us? I answer, these works did serve properly for no part of satisfaction or merit for us : for that, to speak properly, the death of Christ and his passion only did satisfy God’s justice, and merited his mercy for us (Robert Rollock, 1597).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ralph F. Boersema, B.A., M.Div., Th.M.
Born in 1949 in the Netherlands, Ralph immigrated to Canada with his family in 1951. His Bachelor of Arts degree was obtained at Waterloo Lutheran University, Waterloo, ON, Canada in 1968. He then studied at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia–M. Div., 1972; Th. M., 1974. A certificate was obtained from the Theological College of the Canadian Reformed Churches in 1973. Doctoral studies at the University of South Africa were interrupted when he developed blindness in 1992. Ordained to the ministry of the Word in 1973, he served the Canadian Reformed Church in Calgary for three years and then served as a missionary in Brazil for 21 years, in service of Maranatha Canadian Reformed Church, Surrey, BC, Canada. Currently he lives in Bristol, VA, USA, and is the president of the International Reformed Theological College. His study of this justification controversy was started only in late 2004 because his busy ministry in Brazil from 1979 to 2000 kept him from becoming immersed in North American discussions. In addition to this book, Ralph is a contributor to Obedient Faith, a festschrift in honor of Rev. Norman Shepherd.