Justification by faith

What it is: Lutheranism teaches that the sinner's justification before God is received by faith in Christ and not by autonomous human merits.

How the religion understands it: The righteousness of Christ is received as a gift of grace. Good works are the necessary fruit of faith, but not its meritorious foundation before God.

Context: This belief occupies a central position in Lutheran identity and is often described as the article by which the Church stands or falls.

Supportive

Apology of the Augsburg Confession IV

confession,apology,justification,lutheranism

Confessional development of the doctrine of justification.

Reference: Apology of the Augsburg Confession, Article IV.
Content: The text expands and defends the doctrine of justification by faith.
Use in debate: It is central to Lutheran theological self-understanding.

Augsburg Confession, Article IV

confession,augsburg,justification,lutheranism

Classic Lutheran article on justification.

Reference: Augsburg Confession, Article IV.
Content: The article teaches that human beings are justified freely through Christ by faith.
Use in debate: It is one of the most important confessional texts of Lutheranism.

Ephesians 2:8-9

bible,grace,faith,lutheranism

Salvation by grace through faith.

Reference: Ephesians 2:8-9.
Content: Salvation is described as the gift of grace through faith.
Use in debate: It supports the Lutheran emphasis on the primacy of grace.

Galatians 2:16

bible,lutheranism,justification,reformation

Justification through Christ and not by works of the law.

Reference: Galatians 2:16.
Content: The text insists on justification through Christ, not through works of the law.
Use in debate: It is central in the language of the Reformation and of Lutheranism.

Romans 3:28

bible,lutheranism,justification,faith

Central text for justification by faith.

Reference: Romans 3:28.
Content: Paul states that a human being is justified by faith apart from works of the law.
Use in debate: It is one of the most important texts in the Lutheran formulation of justification.

Contrary

James 2:24

bible,faith,works,justification,doctrinal-debate

Text of interpretive tension about faith and works.

Reference: James 2:24.
Content: The verse states that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
Use in debate: It functions as a text of interpretive tension in Protestant discussions about justification and sanctification.