Walter Mostert’s Thought on Justification

The study analyzes four macro-areas of Walter Mostert’s theology of justification in dialogue with alternative approaches as a source of relevant theological insights. Mostert avoids both subjectivism and objectivism, understanding theology as the soteriological answer to sin as the usurpation of God’s salvific prerogative. Justification is God’s saving act, received in faith as one’s being-in-Christ. It establishes an anthropology in which the human being is defined not by personal deeds but by the gifted Gospel. Justification is thus distinct from ideological thinking and its theory-praxis model. It founds the Church and serves as the basis for ecumenical consensus. Despite certain one-sided aspects, Mostert’s theology allows for a clear articulation of the Gospel.

• By (author) Nicola Mariani