Revision #13545
Imputation
Localized for English-speaking readers (msgbatch_01GvFKF6zaroxwZ2RCatyoPp)
Status: approved
Changes from the previous English revision
= ## Definition and Meaning
=
- The Korean term for imputation, *jeonga* (轉嫁), is a Sino-Korean word meaning "to transfer and lay upon." In everyday usage it carries a negative sense, as in "shifting blame," but in theology it refers to God's regarding the sin or righteousness of one person as belonging to another. Protestant theology commonly speaks of three imputations:
+ In theology, imputation refers to God's reckoning the sin or righteousness of one person as belonging to another. Protestant theology commonly speaks of three imputations:
=
- - **The imputation of Adam's sin**: the understanding that the first man's sin is credited to all humanity. This is connected with the doctrine of the Fall.
- - **The imputation of human sin to Christ**: used to explain the atonement accomplished on the cross.
- - **The imputation of Christ's righteousness to believers**: the central concept of the doctrine of justification, according to which a person is declared righteous not on the basis of his or her own works but on account of the righteousness of Christ.
+ - **The imputation of Adam's sin**: the first man's sin is credited to all humanity. This teaching is connected with the doctrine of the Fall.
+ - **The imputation of human sin to Christ**: this concept is used to explain the atonement accomplished on the cross.
+ - **The imputation of Christ's righteousness to believers**: this is the central concept of the doctrine of justification. According to this doctrine, a person is declared righteous not on the basis of his or her own works but on account of the righteousness of Christ.
=
= ## Biblical and Historical Background
=
- The New Korean Revised Version (Gaeyeok Gaejeong) generally renders this concept with the verb *yeogida* ("to count" or "to regard"). The key passages are Genesis 15:6 and Romans 4:3-8, which quotes it ("it was counted unto him for righteousness"). Romans 5:12-19, which contrasts Adam and Christ, and 2 Corinthians 5:21 ("that we might be made the righteousness of God in him") are also frequently cited in support.
+ Scripture commonly expresses this concept with the language of "counting" or "reckoning." The key passages are Genesis 15:6 and Romans 4:3-8, which quotes it ("it was counted unto him for righteousness"). Romans 5:12-19, which contrasts Adam and Christ, and 2 Corinthians 5:21 ("that we might be made the righteousness of God in him") are also frequently cited in support.
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- During the Reformation, Martin Luther spoke of an "alien righteousness" that comes from outside the person, and John Calvin explained justification as the reception of Christ's imputed righteousness. This understanding was incorporated into Question 60 of the Heidelberg Catechism and Chapter 11 of the Westminster Confession of Faith. The Catholic Church, by contrast, has emphasized since the Council of Trent that righteousness is actually infused into the person and renews him or her. In recent years, some scholars who support the "New Perspective on Paul" have raised fresh questions about the biblical basis of the concept of imputation. This discussion is ongoing.
+ During the Reformation, Martin Luther spoke of an "alien righteousness" that comes from outside the believer, and John Calvin explained justification as the imputation of Christ's righteousness. This understanding was set out in Question 60 of the Heidelberg Catechism and Chapter 11 of the Westminster Confession of Faith. The Catholic Church, by contrast, has emphasized since the Council of Trent that righteousness is actually infused into the person and renews him or her. In recent years, some scholars who support the "New Perspective on Paul" have questioned the biblical basis of the concept of imputation, and the debate continues.
=
= ## Practice in Korean Churches
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- Presbyterian churches, especially denominations that identify themselves as Reformed, follow the Westminster Standards in teaching the doctrine of imputation as central to justification. They often emphasize that even Christ's life of obedience to the law (his active obedience) is imputed to believers.
+ Among Korean Protestant churches, Presbyterian bodies, especially denominations that identify themselves as Reformed, follow the Westminster Standards and teach imputation as central to justification. They often emphasize that Christ's life of obedience to the law (his active obedience) is also imputed to believers.
=
- Methodist and Holiness churches, following the tradition of Wesleyan theology, accept that the righteousness of Christ is imputed. They emphasize, however, both justification, by which believers are counted righteous, and sanctification, by which they are actually made holy. John Wesley's concern that the doctrine of imputation could be used to make light of holy living is also frequently mentioned within this tradition.
+ Korean Methodist and Holiness churches, following the tradition of Wesleyan theology, accept that the righteousness of Christ is imputed. They emphasize, however, both justification, by which believers are counted righteous, and sanctification, by which they are actually made holy. John Wesley's concern that the doctrine of imputation could be used to make light of holy living is frequently cited within this tradition.
=
- Baptist and Pentecostal denominations also generally share the understanding that the righteousness of Christ is given through faith. The extent to which the term "imputation" appears in their denominational documents, however, varies.
+ Korean Baptist and Pentecostal denominations also generally hold that the righteousness of Christ is given through faith, though the extent to which the term "imputation" appears in their denominational documents varies.
=
= In preaching and hymnody, the concept is often expressed through the metaphor of "putting on the robe of righteousness." Sermons that interpret the wedding garment of Matthew 22:11-12 as the righteousness of Christ also draw on this understanding.
Imputation is a theological concept according to which the sin or righteousness of one person is regarded as belonging to another and is credited to that person. It is used chiefly in the Protestant doctrine of justification to mean that the righteousness of Christ is credited to those who believe.
Imputation is the theological concept that the sin or righteousness of one person is reckoned to another and credited to that person's account. It is used chiefly in the Protestant doctrine of justification, where it refers to the righteousness of Christ being credited to those who believe.
Full revision
Imputation is the theological concept that the sin or righteousness of one person is reckoned to another and credited to that person's account. It is used chiefly in the Protestant doctrine of justification, where it refers to the righteousness of Christ being credited to those who believe.
Definition and Meaning
In theology, imputation refers to God's reckoning the sin or righteousness of one person as belonging to another. Protestant theology commonly speaks of three imputations:
- The imputation of Adam's sin: the first man's sin is credited to all humanity. This teaching is connected with the doctrine of the Fall.
- The imputation of human sin to Christ: this concept is used to explain the atonement accomplished on the cross.
- The imputation of Christ's righteousness to believers: this is the central concept of the doctrine of justification. According to this doctrine, a person is declared righteous not on the basis of his or her own works but on account of the righteousness of Christ.
Biblical and Historical Background
Scripture commonly expresses this concept with the language of "counting" or "reckoning." The key passages are Genesis 15:6 and Romans 4:3-8, which quotes it ("it was counted unto him for righteousness"). Romans 5:12-19, which contrasts Adam and Christ, and 2 Corinthians 5:21 ("that we might be made the righteousness of God in him") are also frequently cited in support.
During the Reformation, Martin Luther spoke of an "alien righteousness" that comes from outside the believer, and John Calvin explained justification as the imputation of Christ's righteousness. This understanding was set out in Question 60 of the Heidelberg Catechism and Chapter 11 of the Westminster Confession of Faith. The Catholic Church, by contrast, has emphasized since the Council of Trent that righteousness is actually infused into the person and renews him or her. In recent years, some scholars who support the "New Perspective on Paul" have questioned the biblical basis of the concept of imputation, and the debate continues.
Practice in Korean Churches
Among Korean Protestant churches, Presbyterian bodies, especially denominations that identify themselves as Reformed, follow the Westminster Standards and teach imputation as central to justification. They often emphasize that Christ's life of obedience to the law (his active obedience) is also imputed to believers.
Korean Methodist and Holiness churches, following the tradition of Wesleyan theology, accept that the righteousness of Christ is imputed. They emphasize, however, both justification, by which believers are counted righteous, and sanctification, by which they are actually made holy. John Wesley's concern that the doctrine of imputation could be used to make light of holy living is frequently cited within this tradition.
Korean Baptist and Pentecostal denominations also generally hold that the righteousness of Christ is given through faith, though the extent to which the term "imputation" appears in their denominational documents varies.
In preaching and hymnody, the concept is often expressed through the metaphor of "putting on the robe of righteousness." Sermons that interpret the wedding garment of Matthew 22:11-12 as the righteousness of Christ also draw on this understanding.