Faculty Report on Norman Shepherd
CJM Archives, St. Louis
and Hewitson, Page 43
Faculty noted in their report to the board that they were not untied in their understanding concerning Shepherd’s thinking on justification:
In view of the importance of the question at issue and the fact that some members of the faculty believe that these questions have not been resolved [Shepherd’s understanding of (W.C., ch. 11, sec, 2) as well as questions 70 and 73 of the Larger Catechism] while other members believe that progress has been made in reaching a better understanding the faculty wishes to continue discussion and to bring a further report to a later meeting of the board.”
WCF 11:2 — Faith, thus receiving and resting on Christ and His righteousness, is the alone instrument of justification:[4] yet is it not alone in the person justified, but is ever accompanied with all other saving graces, and is no dead faith, but works by love.[5]
LCQ. 70. What is justification?
A. Justification is an act of God’s free grace unto sinners,[286] in which he pardoneth all their sins, accepteth and accounteth their persons righteous in his sight;[287] not for any thing wrought in them, or done by them,[288] but only for the perfect obedience and full satisfaction of Christ, by God imputed to them,[289] and received by faith alone.[290]
LCQ. 73. How doth faith justify a sinner in the sight of God?
A. Faith justifies a sinner in the sight of God, not because of those other graces which do always accompany it, or of good works that are the fruits of it,[304] nor as if the grace of faith, or any act thereof, were imputed to him for his justification;[305] but only as it is an instrument by which he receiveth and applieth Christ and his righteousness.[306]