The Regensburg Article 5 on Justification: Inconsistent Patchwork or Substance of True Doctrine?

Description

The question of the justification of sinners is one of the most complex regions of Christian theology. The Regensburg article on justification proposed a solution that it was hoped would be acceptable to both sides, Protestant and Catholic. In 1541 at the Regensburg Colloquy, three leading Protestant theologians (Melanchthon, Bucer, and Pistorius) and three leading Catholic theologians (Eck, Gropper, and Pflug) debated with the aim of producing a commonly agreed statement of belief. The colloquy as a whole eventually failed, but it began with a statement on justification by faith agreed by all the parties, Article 5", leading to an initial burst of optimism. There were two contrasting reactions to Article 5. Some, like Calvin, maintained that it contained the substance of true doctrine; others, like Luther, called it an inconsistent patchwork. These two rival assessments have persisted over the centuries. The aim of this book is to decide between them. It does so by viewing the article in the light of the publications of the key participants and observers, as well as by comparing it with the Tridentine Catholic Decree on Justification. Anthony Lane puts the Regensburg article under the microscope, offering both a wide-ranging study of the article's history and a line-by-line analysis of its content, presenting the original Latin text together with an English translation and running commentary. Cover Series Regensburg Article 5 on Justification Copyright Dedication Contents Preface Abbreviations Introduction 1. The Regensburg Colloquy Background The Regensburg Colloquy Article 5 The Rest of the Colloquy 2. Reactions to Article 5 Contemporary Protestant Reactions Contemporary Catholic Reactions Modern Assessments 3. After Regensburg Debates over Article 5 The Cologne Reformation The Second Colloquy of Regensburg (1546) The Council of Trent, Decree on Justification (1546–​47) 4. Double Righteousness and Double Justification Double Righteousness Prior to Regensburg The Origin of the Regensburg Formula Double Righteousness after Regensburg Double Justification Justification of the Ungodly and Justification of the Godly Justification of Works as well as Persons Double Formal Cause of Justification Conclusion 5. Text and Commentary The Text The Commentators The Commentary Conclusion 6. Inconsistent Patchwork or Substance of True Doctrine? The Issues Doctrines Not Covered by Article 5 Ambiguities in Article 5 Duplex Iustitia Reliance upon the Testimony of Works The Nature of Justifying Faith The Role of Fiducia The Participants Melanchthon Bucer Calvin Contarini Gropper Pflug Conclusion: Inconsistent Patchwork or Substance of True Doctrine? Sed contra Concerns Conclusion Appendix: The Drafts of Article 5 1. The Worms Draft 2. Melanchthon’s Draft (with translation) 3. Eck’s Draft (with translation) 4. Gropper’s Draft (with translation) 5. The Final Version (with translation) Glossary of Latin Terms Bibliography Appendix Index