THE Difference between a GOOD DOG-matician and a BAD DOG-matician
Let's take, for example, the doctrine of Justification. This doctrine is the chief teaching of the Christian Church. The Good Dog(matician) will gather and define terms that the Bible addresses; on the other hand, the Bad Dog(matician) has a tendency not to define his terms but rather jumbles them all together treating them as synonymous.
There are several theological doctrines that are related to Justification. The Good Dog(matician) will observe their use in Holy Writ (giving him that halo look about him); while the Bad Dog(matician) starts with a preconceived notion much like Rev. C.F.W. Walther did in his Easter sermons of an Easter absolution of all sinners. And, we know that to absolve a person is to release that person from sin (forgiveness),
The confessors in the Apology of the Augsburg Confession, Article IV on Justification, sec. 76-78 begins with defining Justification thus: "First, forgiveness of sins is the same as justification according to Psalm 32:1...We obtain the forgiveness of sins by faith in Christ...Therefore we are justified by faith alone, justification being understood as making an unrighteous man righteous or effecting his regeneration." So there, in just a few sentences, we have the terms "forgiveness" being the same as "justification", "righteousness", and "faith" (without there is NO justification).
To the last point, a Good Dog(matician) named Martin Chemnitz, in his Enchiridion, says this: "For justification cannot take place without righteousness (of Christ)" Romans 3:22, 24. Not only that, but Chemnitz (the second "Martin" of the Reformation) asks this question (#149) "Are all men justified because of this righteousness of the Son of God?" Then, instead of giving a resounding "NO!" he gives this answer that blackens the eye of the Bad Dog(matician): "The way is broad that leads to damnation, and there are many that walk in it. M 7:13."
But that doesn't stop the Bad Dog(matician) from publishing falsehoods, oh no-no-no! Here is what the 2005 LCMS Small Catechism states about the forgiveness of sins: Question 180, Why do you say, "I believe in the forgiveness of sins"? Answer: I believe in the forgiveness of sins because through Christ God has DECLARED (emphasis mine) pardon and forgiveness to ALL SINFUL HUMANITY. (emphasis mine).
Compare that confession with a Good Dog(matician) by the name of Heinrich Christian Schwan in his 1905 Small Catechism (also see the LCMS 1941 Small Catechism): Question #195: Why do you say, "I believe in the forgiveness of sins"? Answer: Because by the Scriptures I am assured that God by grace, for Christ's sake, through the Gospel, daily and richly forgives all sins to me and ALL BELIEVERS. (emphasis mine).
The process can go on and on, the sophists on the one hand trying to disgrace and actually condemn the theologians that actually take the Scriptures in context to reveal the true Word of God.
Do you remember the Good Dog(matician) that stated that justification cannot take place without righteousness and used Romans 3:22, and 24? But those Bad Dog(maticians) also used Romans 3:23-24 to "prove" that God has already declared all forgiven and righteous in Christ Jesus, even all the sinners in the world. Now let's look at those verses in context: Romans 3:22-25 (NKJV) states clearly: "22 even the righteousness of God, THROUGH FAITH in ("of" in the TR) Jesus Christ, to all and on all WHO BELIEVE. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His GRACE through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a PROPITIATION by His blood, THROUGH FAITH, to demonstrate His RIGHTEOUSNESS, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,"
I will let this much sink in for those who (maybe) need to give my statements another look. But I would like to define just one more word as it is used by the people who say that anyone who doesn't believe that all have already been declared forgiven and righteous in Christ is to be damned. That word is "declare", which in the Cambridge dictionary is defined thus: "To announce something clearly, formally, publicly, or officially." Think! If God has already DECLARED everyone forgiven and righteous in Christ, why would anyone want to hear Law and Gospel preached? why would anyone ever desire to be born-again (literally born from above)? Why are people still in their sins according to John 3:18 and John 3:36? Why would anyone ever say "God declares" and then find out that what He declared isn't at all finished but needs a "second part" in the process of Justification.
The UOJ people indeed confuse the term atonement where Jesus, on the Cross of Calvary, accomplished everything for man's salvation, BUT make it synonymous with justification.
