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Created: 1325307600000

Peter Martyr Vermigli on Union with Christ and justification

Notes

Summary

• 37-38) Opening question: how do justification and sanctification relate within Calvin's doctrine of our union with Christ. Can justification be said to be a priority or only part of a simultaneity (duplex gratia). The Answer lies with Vermigli.
  • (Sent letters to Calvin and Beza on Union with Christ) noted that he was in agreement with Calvin on his view
• 39-40 Thesis: Justification over sanctification in Calvin's (and Vermigli) view of union with Christ
• 41. Rankin: Mystical Union = Faith (justification) || Spiritual Union = Sanctification
  • Garcia: Mystical Union = Faith || Spiritual Union = Justification <-> Sanctification
    • Garcia views both Calvin and Vermigli similarly.
    • These are logical orders, therefore, logically they come together (42)
• Threefold understanding of Union with Christ:
• 42. Christ incarnation (incarnational union) Hebrews 2#14
• 43. Spiritual Union
  • Vermigli: "the other is effected by the Spirit of Christ, by which we are from our very regeneration renewed into the fashion of His glory."
• Between the two unions there exists a communion or relationship, this is the mystical union
• 44. point one: mystical union is a definite event corresponding to justification
  • Spiritual Union corresponds to the believers resurrection and glorification. I.E the consummation, the end
• 44-45) "Vermigli casts his sight upon the believer's glorification, which is set in motion by the incarnation, applied by the Spirit, and secured through the sanctification of the person until her glorification. Vermigli's spiritual union, then, has a decidedly eschatological cast to it."
• In his letter to Calvin there is a pattern of Election -> faith ->sanctification -> unto Christiformia (glorification)
• Point two: mystical union is prior to the later communion which is introduced through renovation. Using Ephesians 4#16,
  • 46. Incarnational union -> Mystical Union = Faith (justification) || Spiritual Union = Sanctification -> unto Glorification
• 46-47) Point 3: V's student Zanchi writes of the threefold union in a chronological order, which is similar to V's view, yet seems to include sanctification under the mystical union
• 48. Predestination: is rooted in God's decree through Christ's adoption.
  • Thus, V's Order of Salutis follows the order of Christ's: adoption, justification, sanctification, and glorification.
• 49. Regeneration: a part of his doctrine of union (possibly along the lines of Martin Bucer)
  • 50. At first was a outworking of justification, later development, it was given its own place before faith and justification
• 52. Justification: Justification is the head, the fountain, and main part of religion, what follows are the fruits that sprout from true faith. Works are not sufficient to earn redemption.
• 54. both logical and soteriological priority of justification
• Thus: V's justification was the gateway to a new life in Christ.
• 54-57) Conclusion
  • Calvin cannot be understood in isolation
  • 55. Tries to show that that Garcia's claim is inconsistent, (odd to bring this argument into the paper at its conclusion)
  • 56-57) V' had strong tie to Calvin (45 letters before publication of institutes, could there be some learning Calivn did from V?), taught Ursinus, was recommend to Pastor the Italian congregation in Geneva from Calvin,
  • Ultimately V' helps add extra weight behind Duncan Rankin's claim against that of Garcia's.
  • 57. It is clear that V saw justification and Sanctification as part of union with Christ, but gave priority to justification