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Examined Doctrine

Tim Keller on Justification

1950 – 2023 · PRESBYTERIAN (PCA)
STANDARD SCHOLARLY ACCOUNTAFFIRMS°
STANCE

Forensic — righteousness imputed, not infused

THE POSITION

Forensic imputation, and characteristically pressed as the answer to both moralism and irreligion — the elder-brother and younger-brother problem in Luke 15.

WHY THERE IS NO QUOTATIONNo quotations. The published work is in copyright, so these positions are paraphrased rather than reproduced.

SCRIPTURE
ROMANS 4:5 · BSB

5 However, to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.

18 OTHERS HOLD THIS

Jacobus ArminiusCalvinJonathan EdwardsThe Church of Eleven22 Statement of FaithJosh HowertonSecond London Baptist ConfessionLutherJohn MacArthurPhilip MelanchthonGavin OrtlundJohn OwenJustin PetersJohn PiperR.C. SproulCharles Haddon SpurgeonWesleyWestminster ConfessionZwingli
Includes being made righteous, not only declaredAUGUSTINE · CHRYSOSTOM
By infused grace, mediated sacramentallyAQUINAS
See all 25 figures on justification →

ABOUT THIS FIGURE

Founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian, New York. Known for apologetics addressed to urban skeptics and for a notably winsome register.

READ ACROSS 9 LOCI, NONE QUOTED
Everything Tim Keller holds →
Cite this page

"Tim Keller on Justification", Examined Doctrine, July 2026 edition, https://examineddoctrine.com/position/keller/justification (archived at https://examineddoctrine.com/editions/2026-07/position/keller/justification).

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