Podcast Summary

In this foundational episode on the doctrine of justification, John Calvin defines the "principal ground" on which the Christian religion must be supported. Calvin distinguishes between the 2-fold grace of regeneration and justification, arguing that while the former involves our inner sanctification, the latter is a forensic acquittal by which God, acting as a judge, deems us righteous through the imputation of Christ’s obedience. We explore how Scripture uses the term "justify" not to describe a change in our quality, but an acceptance into God’s favor and a reconciliation that covers our judicial guilt. Ultimately, Calvin reveals that our standing before God rests entirely on being "accepted in the Beloved," where our sins are no longer imputed to us because they were imputed to Christ.

Today’s Readings:

John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion Book 3, Chapter 11 (Sections 1–4)

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