Thursday, July 2, 2009

Righteousness is reconciliation is forgiveness

Calvin's Institutes (1559)
Book 3 of 4 - How We Receive the Grace of Christ

Chapter 11:21-23 - Forgiveness only by Christ's righteousness
21. Receiving the righteousness of Christ by faith is the same as reconciliation with God and forgiveness of sins. Isa 59:1-2; Rom 5:8-10.
22. 2 Cor 5:19, 21; Rom 4:6-8; Ps 32:1-2; Luke 1:77; Acts 13:38-39. Augustine says rightly that our righteousness lies in our forgiveness, not our virtue.
23. We receive the righteousness of Christ, His obedience, by imputation of it from outside of us. We receive it by union with Him. This is like Jacob putting on Esau's clothes, and so pleasing Isaac and receiving his blessing (Ambrose's illustration, which Calvin uses).

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