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Hermeneutical Problems: “Imputation” #2

Romans 5:12-19 Justification

Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds Romans 5:12-19, continuing his series on 'Hermeneutical Problems: Imputation.' He meticulously unpacks Paul's comparison between Adam and Christ, arguing for the positive imputation of Christ's righteousness to believers as the ground of justification. Martin addresses common objections to the doctrine of original sin and imputed righteousness, particularly the charge of 'unfairness,' by emphasizing God's sovereignty, man's inherent sinfulness, and the representative principle as the only hope for salvation. He clarifies that justification involves not merely the forgiveness of sins but a declaration of righteousness based on Christ's active and passive obedience.

3 illustrations in this sermon

Support for Corporate Sin from Genesis and Paul's Repetition
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President Roosevelt Declares War

In this part of the sermon: He supports the idea of corporate sin in Adam by referencing the curses in Genesis that affected the entire human race, not just Adam. Martin then shows how Paul repeatedly…

The declaration of war by President Roosevelt and Congress in 1941, representing the entire nation, illustrates how Adam acted as the God-appointed representative for all mankind, making his sin the sin of all he represented.

Now, let me illustrate when President Roosevelt and the Congress declared war on Japan in December 1941. Most Americans didn't have a say in the matter.

27:30 - 27:40 Read in full sermon
The Comparison Resumed: Adam's Disobedience vs. Christ's Obedience
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Thomas Goodwin's Giants with a Girdle

In this part of the sermon: Martin returns to the main comparison, explicitly stating that just as Adam's offense led to condemnation for all, Christ's righteous act and obedience lead to justification for…

Thomas Goodwin's analogy of two giants (Adam and Christ) with a girdle (belt), upon which the entire human race is hanging, illustrates the concept of humanity being corporately connected to either Adam or Christ.

And that we are all either connected to the one man, Adam, or the one man, Christ. You guys familiar with Thomas Goodwin's illustration of the, what does he use, the language of the, a big giant with a, with a, think of a huge giant with a, two huge giants with a girdle on them. That would, I guess that would mean in old Puritan language, you know, what would that be, a girdle, I guess. Belt, yeah, a belt.

40:13 - 40:39 Read in full sermon
Objection 2: Justification as Forgiveness Only
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Master and Two Servants

Driving home: You see, we can be forgiven and yet still be declared guilty. But in justification we are not merely forgiven, we are declared righteous.

An illustration of a master and two servants, one perfectly obedient and rewarded, the other disobedient but pardoned. This highlights that pardon from punishment is not the same as being entitled to the reward of perfect obedience, demonstrating the need for positive righteousness in justification.

It cannot entitle the sinner to positive blessings. Let me borrow an illustration. Suppose the owner of a large estate, before leaving for a trip, gave his servants ten commandments to be obeyed. While he was away, joined to this was the threat of punishment for the failure to obey, and the promise of reward if they did obey.

56:28 - 56:49 Read in full sermon
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