Union with Christ and Its Bearing on New Character
Union with Christ and Its Bearing on New Character
Research in the area of union with Christ by the Finnish Luther School in recent decades provides a way of understanding the new character given in justification. The Finnish school has criticized recent Luther research as overlooking Luther’s teaching on union with Christ. Instead, reception of Christ’s grace and gifts requires participation in Christ’s body. While the Finns may be criticized for weaknesses in articulating forensic justification, their emphasis on union serves in the explanation of a new Christian character. Other elements of union are described to develop an anthropology of union. Union is relational, such that both Christ and the Christian retain their identity. Participation emphasizes a Christian’s share in Christ’s benefits and qualities. Adoption serves to emphasize the gracious nature of union, yet the full effect of union in making a Christian a child of God. Incorporation expresses the ecclesiastical and corporate character of union with Christ.
Keywords: union with Christ, relation, Hermann Lotze, Finnish Luther School, participation, perichoresis, adoption, incorporation
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