Adult Class - Spring Semester
Merit, Sin, and Salvation: A Theological Journey from the Medieval Church to Today
March - May 2026
Continuing our study of sin, this course will examine late medieval theology, particularly its understanding of merit. Beginning with the late medieval theologians and moving into the culture of Renaissance Catholicism, we will explore Martin Luther’s reaction to the Catholic Church and his proposal for rightly understanding the Gospel.
At the same time, we will consider some of the implications of Luther’s response that continue to shape the church today. The class will also examine N. T. Wright’s interpretation of the Apostle Paul (often called the “New Perspective on Paul”) and conclude with more recent discussions surrounding union with Christ, including an examination of Federal Vision theology.
Recommended Resources:
- Moorman, Mary C. Indulgences: Luther, Catholicism, and Imputation of Merit. Emmaus, 2017
- Wright, N.T. What Saint Paul Really Said. Eermans, 2014.
- Wilkins, Steve and Duane Garner, Ed. The Federal Vision. Athanasius Press, 2014.
At the same time, we will consider some of the implications of Luther’s response that continue to shape the church today. The class will also examine N. T. Wright’s interpretation of the Apostle Paul (often called the “New Perspective on Paul”) and conclude with more recent discussions surrounding union with Christ, including an examination of Federal Vision theology.
Recommended Resources:
- Moorman, Mary C. Indulgences: Luther, Catholicism, and Imputation of Merit. Emmaus, 2017
- Wright, N.T. What Saint Paul Really Said. Eermans, 2014.
- Wilkins, Steve and Duane Garner, Ed. The Federal Vision. Athanasius Press, 2014.
- Session 1 – Late Medieval Merit Theology Unraveling the confusing conception of grace and merit in later medieval Catholic theology.
- Session 2 – Merit Distortion Examine the roots of merit theology and its distortion of the Gospel.
- Session 3 – Martin Luther’s Reaction See how Luther challenged the system of merit, emphasizing God’s law, human sin, and justification by faith alone.
- Session 4 – Martin Luther’s Incompleteness Consider aspects of Luther’s response that left questions.
- Session 5 – New Perspective on Paul Survey N. T. Wright’s reinterpretation of Paul, justification, and covenant membership, and its impact on understanding sin and righteousness.
- Session 6 – Federal Vision and Union with Christ Explore modern debates on union with Christ, federal headship, and imputation, and their connection to merit, grace, and redemption.