Background for the Reader
Dr. Larry J. Kane is a
Seventh-day Adventist lawyer and church elder in Indiana. He has published
what he titles Analysis of the Doctrine of Universal "Legal"
Justification. He seeks to refute the message of the 1888 Message
Study Committee regarding justification by faith. A number of readers have
contacted us to inquire if we would please comment on his views.
Larry J. Kane’s
Principle Contentions
In his Analysis of the
Doctrine of Universal "Legal" Justification Dr. Kane says:
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He
"rejects the proposition of a universal legal
justification."
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It
is not taught in Scripture.
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The
"all men" of Romans 5:18 and the "all" of Romans
3:23, 24 are only those who believe, not the entire human race.
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Paul’s
parallels between the "all men" in condemnation "in
Adam" and the "all men" acquitted by Christ are not to
be taken literally.
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E.
J. Waggoner did not teach a legal justification accomplished at the
cross. (Kane does not mention A.T. Jones’s teaching).
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"Legal
justification" comes only "at the point of conversion,"
not at the cross.
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The
doctrine of a legal justification at the cross does not help clarify
the repentant sinner’s understanding of the saving grace of God, nor
motivate him to greater devotion to Christ.
Introduction
We do not wish to contend
with brethren; we would much rather "press together" in
effectively proclaiming the Good News to the world. But we must know for
sure what the "Good News" is! When I read Dr. Kane’s paper I
sighed, and wished for the sake of peace and harmony that I could just
surrender all my convictions and give in to him. But then I thought of all
the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy evidence that Dr. Kane either ignores or
denies. That evidence constrains my conscience to speak out. We must
understand the cross more clearly.
He says that it is
"Romans 5:12-18 … and specifically verse 18, that is relied upon
most heavily by the 1888 MSC (Message Study Committee) in support of the
doctrine of a universal ‘legal’ justification." This alerted me
immediately; there are a score of other Bible and Spirit of Prophecy
statements that require this understanding, none of which Dr. Kane
recognizes.
The 1888 Message Study
Committee is not alone in holding this view. Others see in the sacrifice
of Christ a legal justification effected for "all men" which is
not merely provisional or conditional, but is accomplished. Dr. Arnold
Wallenkampf teaches the same in his What Every Christian Should Know
About Being Justified (R&H, 1988, chapter 5. Wallenkampf has
served as a member of the Biblical Research Institute of the General
Conference). Elder Neal Wilson, while General Conference president, took
the same position in his Week of Prayer reading for 1988. Elder Jack
Sequeira presents the same in his widespread meetings, with Elder Robert
Folkenberg’s approval and support. There are numerous pastors and
thousands of church members who rejoice in the solid Good News they see in
this doctrine.
This of course does not
necessarily prove that the view is correct. The Bible must settle the
issue. Dr. Kane however should make clear that he opposes the views of
this entire group, and not single out the 1888 Message Study Committee
alone.
Perhaps he has
misunderstood the Good News we have sought to proclaim. The fault may lie
with us in not making it as clear as we should. If so, we pray that this
"response" may help resolve misunderstandings. We welcome his
"Analysis" for it drives us again to our knees in prayer and to
our Bibles for further study. We take such critiques seriously, for we
want to know the truth. One must be careful both ways:
The man who once so
wisely said, "Be sure you’re right, then go ahead,"
Could well have added
this, to wit, "Be sure you’re wrong before you quit."
Let us bear in mind that
the real issue is not a mere tempest in a theological teapot. Rather, it
is: what did Christ accomplish on His cross? What is the real truth of
"Christ and Him crucified"? What is the Good News that will
reach human hearts and motivate to true obedience? What truth will
penetrate to the deepest recesses of the human soul, deliver from
addictions, and reconcile alienated hearts to God? What is the "third
angel’s message in verity" that will lighten the earth with glory?
Dr. Kane says this
doctrine does not help to clarify the gospel nor motivate to devotion to
Christ; but we would respectfully inquire, What truth will be effective in
fulfilling the gospel commission? The Arminianism which has constituted
our usual understanding for many decades has failed to accomplish that
God-given task. Rather, lukewarmness and worldliness have permeated the
world church. We inquire, How is ‘the gospel … the power of God unto
salvation?" What missing element will recover that lost power?
We are indebted to Jones
and Waggoner for prompting us to see in Scripture this idea of
justification by faith and the legal foundation on which it rests. We find
the motif appearing frequently in the writings of both the 1888
messengers. They in turn derived the idea from Scripture. We find Ellen
White supports it.
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