4 - 1998

Joint Declaration on Justification

Professors' Statement on the "Joint Declaration"

The "Joint Declaration on Justification" provokes controversy in Protestant theological circles. More than 160 professors of theology supported a statement written by colleagues that basically doubted that a "consensus on fundamental truths of the doctrine of justification with the JD" has been reached.

The university teachers of theology, exercising their responsibility for theology and Church, declare:

I.The justification of the sinner through faith alone, according to Protestant doctrine, is the fundamental reality in the life of a Christian and of the church. It is the basis from which doctrine, order and practice of the church are to be defined and judged. Therefore the "Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification" (JD) cannot be concerned with a single aspect of theology. Rather, it deals with the basis and the whole, with the issue where one may "weaken or give in on nothing" (Luther, Articles of Schmalkalden), with which the church stands or falls. A consensus in the doctrine of justification must therefore, first, show undiminished the truth of justification by faith alone and, secondly, directly find expression in the relationship of the consenting churches to one another by their mutual recognition of the other as a church of Jesus Christ and in the recognition of their public office of the ministry of proclamation of justification.

II.Because the doctrine of justification deals with the basis and the whole of Christian truth, we turn to the synods and church leadership of the Lutheran churches in Germany who are presently discussing the "Joint Declaration". The JD claims to present a "consensus in basic truths of the doctrine of justification" between the Evangelical Lutheran churches and the Roman Catholic church. All the remaining differences in this teaching are only "differences in the language of theological expression and emphasis". However, the JD does not offer such a consensus. No consensus was reached about the insight, which is decisive for the Lutheran churches, that justification by grace alone is properly proclaimed only when it is thereby clear that God, who works upon the sinner solely through grace, first of all justifies the sinner through his Word alone and through the sacraments administered according to this Word (CA 7), and secondly, the sinner is justified through faith alone. No consensus was reached about the insight, which is decisive for the churches of the Reformation, that faith is assurance of salvation. No consensus was reached about the justified as sinners. No consensus was reached about the meaning of good works for salvation. An inadequate consensus was reached about the relationship between law and gospel. Completely inadequate is the insufficient attention given the Old Testament in the JD. The view of the Reformers that the gospel of the justification of the sinner is also clearly testified to in the Old Testament is mentioned nowhere. The impression (see page 2) (continued from page 1) given is of the opposite. No consensus is reached about the function of the doctrine of justification as a criterion for teaching and life of the church. The statement of the JD that "Lutherans underline the unique meaning of this criterion" and that "Catholics see themselves as bound by several criteria" exclude each other.

III.If the JD's claim to present a doctrinal consensus is affirmed, then it threatens to become normative for the interpretation of the Lutheran confessional writings. That means, however, that the confessions henceforth are to be interpreted in the light of a teaching about grace which indeed represents justification "by grace alone" but not the insight, which was basic for the Reformation, that this gracious event takes place precisely and solely through faith. That would mean that they were to be interpreted on the basis of a presupposition which, precisely according to the Reformation understanding of justification, has been overcome.

IV.Thus the community with the Protestant churches in Germany which do not belong to the Lutheran World Federation is called into question at the same time. This is also true for the Leuenberg Church Fellowship.

V.The consensus claimed by the JD implies no ecclesiological and practical consequences whatsoever. It would bring recognition neither of the Lutheran churches as a church of Jesus Christ (JD, n. 9) nor of their office of ministry. Therefore nothing is won for eucharistic fellowship. Here we see on the one hand what it means that the Roman Catholic church maintains additional criteria beside the doctrine of justification for the life and teaching of the church (par. 18). On the other hand it is a sign that the JD represents a building block within a whole specific ecumenical program whose realisation first will bring the full recognition of Protestant Christianity on the part of the Roman church and full communion with it. It is the program which leads by way of a series of doctrinal consensuses toward the integration of the Protestant clergy, too, in the structure of the Roman Catholic hierarchy. Only in this way will Protestant Christianity be recognized from the Roman Catholic side and then eucharistic fellowship be possible.

VI.The Protestant churches already welcome their Catholic sisters and brothers in Christ at the Table of the Lord in accord with justification by faith alone. VII.On the basis of these reservations we call for the rejection of the JD in the present form. If nevertheless the rejection of the JD in every aspect is not wanted, then in any case it must be clearly stated that the JD does not present a "consensus in basic truths of the doctrine of justification".

Signatures of over 160 professors and university teachers follow. The text appeared in epd-Dokumentation 7/98. Translation of complete text.