Universal Justification

Abstract

In this 1984 convention essay, Dr. Siegbert W. Becker defends the doctrine of universal justification—the teaching that God, through Christ’s atonement and resurrection, has forgiven the sins of all people. Becker distinguishes universal (or objective) justification from subjective justification, emphasizing that forgiveness is not contingent on faith but is a completed act in God’s heart. He warns against confusing this with universalism and stresses the necessity of faith to receive the benefits of forgiveness. Drawing on Scripture, Becker shows that Christ’s resurrection is God’s verdict of acquittal for the world, and that justification is inseparable from the doctrines of atonement and resurrection. He critiques modern theology’s rejection of substitutionary atonement and affirms that only universal justification provides the believer with true assurance. Faith does not cause forgiveness—it receives it. Becker concludes with a plea for the church to hold fast to this foundational doctrine. Abstract generated by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4)