Gold Tried in the Fire - Robert J. Wieland
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Hence we propose to lay Bible commentators and<br />
<strong>the</strong> Reformers to one side for <strong>the</strong> moment and let<br />
<strong>the</strong> Bible itself expla<strong>in</strong> what it means by<br />
justification by faith. You will discover that it<br />
really matters what one believes regard<strong>in</strong>g<br />
justification!<br />
1. The Old Testament mean<strong>in</strong>g of justify <strong>in</strong> its<br />
primary sense was nei<strong>the</strong>r to make righteous nor to<br />
declare righteous, but to recognize evidence that<br />
says a person is righteous. Only <strong>in</strong> a secondary<br />
sense did it mean to declare righteous: "If <strong>the</strong>re be<br />
a controversy between men, and <strong>the</strong>y come unto<br />
judgment [court], that <strong>the</strong> judges may judge <strong>the</strong>m;<br />
<strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong>y shall justify <strong>the</strong> righteous, and condemn<br />
<strong>the</strong> wicked." Deuteronomy 25:1. It would be<br />
absurd for a Hebrew judge to "declare righteous"<br />
an accused person unless he had previously<br />
recognized evidence to support his <strong>in</strong>nocence. He<br />
must never make a snap decision of acquittal or<br />
condemnation without first laboriously exam<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />
all <strong>the</strong> available evidence. When <strong>the</strong> evidence<br />
confirms acquittal, he must not bl<strong>in</strong>d his eyes to it.<br />
He may not follow any subjective feel<strong>in</strong>gs on his<br />
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