Western Juridical Justification

Here are two videos again from ArchBishop Lazar. It is an excellent summary of Western Juridical Justification as spawned from the medieval cultural idea of the “duel.” Lazar argues that this stems from Anselm of Canterbury (who grabbed the baton from Augustine), after he abandoned the traditional redemption motif of Ransom (LK 11:21-22) in favor of a view with more legal ramifications. The product, with some extra evolutions and massaging from the Reformers, is Western Juridical Justification as we know it. For many Western Christians, it is *THE* model of Salvation. However, as Lazar points out succinctly, it has not always been so.

Part 1

Part 2 (I don’t know what happened to the sound on part 2. I think we should save up $200 bucks and send it to him for a new Flip UltraHD camera…)

The synopsis of Western Salvation being a “duel” is bang on. You have a duel of sorts between the Father and the Son. Such division in the God head is strange to say the least. Also, the idea that fear drives faith in Christ also contradicts the theology that says “God is love”.  Why would anyone want to be part of a freaky-deaky tyrannical God that doesn’t really “forgive” anyone! He must have justice! Christ picks up our tab — but that’s not forgiveness. Forgiveness is clearly seen the parable of the Prodigal Son/Loving Father. It isn’t seen in Western Juridical Justification.

The next point, that such a vision of God breeds Atheism, is also interesting. I love how ArchBishop Lazar contrasts Western fear/legality with the life of Theosis. It makes more and more sense to me all the time!

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