When it comes to the theology of salvation in Christianity, perhaps one of the biggest divides is between the Catholic concept of increasing in justification and the Protestant concept of justification as a single event. This divide is evident in the way each tradition approaches the question of how one is saved – is it a process or a one-time event? In this article, we will explore the differences between these two theological concepts.
The Catholic Concept of Increasing in Justification
Catholics believe that justification is a process that begins at baptism and continues throughout one’s life.1 This process involves cooperation between God’s grace and the individual’s actions to grow in holiness and righteousness. This cooperation is what Catholics refer to as “works”.2 The idea is that as the individual engages in good works, they grow in grace and their justification increases.3
Catholics also believe that justification can be lost through sin.4 If someone commits a mortal sin (i.e. a grave, deliberate offense against God), they are separated from God’s grace and in need of the sacrament of confession in order to be reconciled with God and increase in justification once again.
The Protestant Concept of Justification as a Single Event
Protestants, on the other hand, hold to the concept of justification as a single event that happens at the moment of faith in Christ.5 They believe that justification refers to the act of God declaring the sinner to be righteous based on the imputed righteousness of Christ.6
Protestants reject the idea that good works play a role in justification, arguing that they are a result of justification rather than a cause of it.7 They believe that good works flow from saving faith but are not necessary for salvation itself.8 Protestants also reject the idea that justification can be lost through sin, arguing that once someone is justified, they are always justified.
Comparison and Contrast
At first glance, these two concepts of justification might seem to be at odds with each other. However, there are some similarities. Both Catholics and Protestants believe that justification is necessary for salvation and that it is a result of God’s grace. Additionally, both agree that there is a need for cooperation between God and humanity.
The primary difference, then, is in the understanding of what happens after justification. Catholics see this as a process that continues throughout one’s life, while Protestants see it as a one-time event. Protestants focus more on the imputed righteousness of Christ, while Catholics focus more on the righteousness that is infused in the believer.
Another difference is the role of good works. For Catholics, good works are seen as necessary for justification, while for Protestants, they are not. There is also a difference in the view of sin and its effects. Catholics believe that someone can lose justification through sin, while Protestants believe that justification is always secure.
Conclusion
These two concepts of justification reflect broader theological differences between Catholicism and Protestantism. Though there are some similarities, the distinction between increasing in justification and justification as a single event has remained a point of disagreement. While both traditions hold to the importance of grace in salvation, they differ on the role of good works and whether justification can be lost. Ultimately, this disagreement highlights the complexity of understanding salvation in Christianity.
Footnotes:
1 Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1987
2 Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2010
3 Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1995
4 Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1861
5 Westminster Confession of Faith, 1646
6 Romans 4:5-8
7 Ephesians 2:8-9
8 James 2:14-26
May 25, 2023
trailreeves
i12go4God 
3 responses to “Justification: Process or Event?”
Joel Parker
May 25th, 2023 at 23:14
Thank you for this blog post brother. I found it concise. Of course, having come from a Catholic background and leaving it for Protestantism, I disagree with the Catholic definition of justification. I would ask the question since, in Catholic eyes, justification is a lifelong process, can it be said that an individual can be “half-way” justified or “one-quarter” justified? I’m sure you see my point. Justification is defined as being declared righteous in God’s sight and I don’t see how anyone can be 1/2 or 1/4 righteous. One is either righteous in God’s sight or one is not. Now, the lifelong process a believer experiences where they mature in holiness I would call sanctification not justification. Some author, I can’t remember who (maybe Tozer) made the statement that some protestants make the error of assuming that once a person is justified, they can leave behind good works for a sort of greasy grace where all that is needed is a profession of faith in Christ. I believe, with the author of the book of James, that good works are a necessary indicator of a person’s true commitment to Jesus. Either way, Love you Brother, Joel
trailreeves
May 25th, 2023 at 23:24
The Catholic Church teaches that justification is a process that begins with initial justification but continues throughout a person’s life. Here are a few Bible verses that Catholics use to support this teaching:
1. James 2:24: “You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.” Catholics interpret this verse to mean that we are not just justified by faith alone, but also by the good works that we do.
2. Philippians 2:12-13: “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Catholics see these verses as evidence that our salvation is a joint effort between us and God.
3. Colossians 1:24: “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church.” Catholics interpret this as meaning that our sufferings can help to complete what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ for the sake of the Church.
4. 1 Corinthians 3:15: “If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.” Catholics believe that this verse teaches that while a person may be saved through faith, their works will be tested by fire and some may not withstand the test. This implies that our salvation is an ongoing process that includes the development of good works over time.
Overall, Catholics believe that while initial justification is important, justification is a process that requires ongoing effort and good works on our part, as well as the grace of God.
trailreeves
May 25th, 2023 at 23:28
To be fair: Protestants believe in sola fide, in which they hold that justification is a one-time event that occurs by faith alone in Jesus Christ. Here are some Bible verses that Protestants use to support this belief:
1. Romans 3:26-28: “For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.” Protestants interpret this passage as saying that justification comes by faith alone, and not by any good works or observance of the Law.
2. Romans 5:1: “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” This verse highlights the past tense nature of justification, indicating that it is something that has already been accomplished.
3. Galatians 2:16: “yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” This passage reinforces the belief that justification comes through faith alone, and not by any works of the Law.
4. Ephesians 2:8-9: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” This verse emphasizes that salvation is by grace alone, and cannot be earned by any good deeds or actions.
Overall, Protestants believe that justification is a one-time event that occurs through faith alone, and that good works are a result of that faith, rather than a prerequisite for it.