Justification and Sanctification

How God declares sinners righteous and how he makes them holy: the key texts, the Reformation debates and how faith and works fit together.

Justification (being declared right with God) and sanctification (growing in holiness) are distinguished but not separated in Protestant theology. Catholic teaching (Council of Trent, 1547) understands justification to include inner renewal. The 1999 Joint Declaration between Lutherans and Catholics found significant agreement while differences remain.

Lessons

1. Declared Righteous (Galatians 2:15-21)
2. Imputed Righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:14-21)
3. Work Out Your Salvation (Philippians 2:12-18)
4. Be Holy (1 Peter 1:13-25)