Justification (theology) facts for kids

This painting by Fra Angelico shows the Harrowing of Hell, a story related to God's power to save.

In Christianity, justification is a special idea. It means that God forgives a person's sins. This happens because they believe in Jesus Christ. It's like being declared "not guilty" in God's eyes.

What Justification Means

Justification is God's act of making someone right with Him. It means a person is pardoned for their sins. This pardon comes through faith in Jesus. It's not about earning God's favor through good deeds. Instead, it's a gift from God.

Justification in the Bible

The idea of justification is found in the Bible. It appears in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. Many parts of the Bible talk about how people can become right with God.

Justification and the Reformation

The idea of justification was very important during the Protestant Reformation. This was a big change in Christian history. It happened in the 1500s.

Martin Luther's View

Martin Luther was a key leader of the Reformation. He taught that people are made right with God by faith alone. This idea is called "Sola fide". Luther believed that good works are important, but they come after a person is justified by faith. They do not cause justification.

Catholic Teaching

The Catholic Church also teaches about justification. They stress that good works are part of what makes a Christian acceptable to God. They see faith and good works working together.

Coming Closer Together

In recent times, the views of Protestants and Catholics on justification have become more similar. Many discussions have helped them understand each other better.

See also

In Spanish: Doctrina de la justificación para niños