Justification (theology)

===Eastern Christianity===
Eastern Christianity, including both [[Eastern Orthodoxy]] and [[Oriental Orthodoxy]], tends to not have a strong emphasis on justification as compared to [[Catholicism]] or [[Protestantism]], seeing it as part of the concept of "[[Theosis (Eastern Christian theology)|theosis]]"; justification is often viewed by Eastern theologians as too highly forensic and they reject it.<ref>{{cite book |last=Nassif |first=Bradley |title=Three Views on Eastern Orthodoxy and Evangelicalism |publisher=Zondervan |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-310-86436-3 |editor=Gundry |editor-first=Stanley |location=Grand Rapids, MI |page=39 |chapter=The Evangelical Theology of the Eastern Orthodox Church |editor2=Stamoolis |editor-first2=James |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4N49G8LPayMC&pg=PA39}}</ref> The Greek term for justification ({{lang|grc|δικαίωσις}}, ''dikaiōsis'') is not understood by most Eastern theologians to mean simply being pardoned of one's sins. In large part, this de-emphasis on justification is historical. The Eastern church sees humanity as inheriting the disease of sin from Adam, but not his [[Original sin|guilt]]; hence, there is no need in Eastern theology for any forensic justification.<ref>Orthodox Church in America, online doctrine. {{cite web|url=http://www.oca.org/OCchapter.asp?SID=2&ID=20|title=Redemption|access-date=2006-05-12|archive-date=2011-06-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607062916/http://www.oca.org/OCchapter.asp?SID=2&ID=20|url-status=dead}}; Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America web site {{cite web|url=http://www.goarch.org/print/en/ourfaith/article8038.asp|title=The Dogmatic Tradition of the Orthodox Church}}</ref>

The Orthodox see salvation as a process of ''[[Theosis (Eastern Orthodox theology)|theosis]]'', in which the individual is united to Christ and the life of Christ is reproduced within him. Thus, in one sense, justification is an aspect of theosis.<ref>Bishop Dmitri, Orthodox Christian Teaching, (Syosset, New York: Orthodox Church of America, 1983), p. 77.</ref> However, it is also the case that those who are baptized into the church and experience [[Chrismation]] are considered to be cleansed of sin.<ref>{{cite web |author=Mastrantonis |first=George |date=1996 |title=The Fundamental Teachings of the Eastern Orthodox Church |url=http://www.goarch.org/en/ourfaith/articles/article7063.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070222052844/http://www.goarch.org/en/ourfaith/articles/article7063.asp |archive-date=22 February 2007 |publisher=[[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America]]}}</ref> Hence, the Orthodox concept of justification cannot be reconciled to Protestant concepts, while it is in partial agreement with some Roman Catholic concepts. In the words of one Orthodox Bishop:

{{blockquote|Justification is a word used in the Scriptures to mean that in Christ we are forgiven and actually made righteous in our living. Justification is not a once-for-all, instantaneous pronouncement guaranteeing eternal salvation, regardless of how wickedly a person might live from that point on. Neither is it merely a legal declaration that an unrighteous person is righteous. Rather, justification is a living, dynamic, day-to-day reality for the one who follows Christ. The Christian actively pursues a righteous life in the grace and power of God granted to all who continue to believe in Him.<ref>Holy Trinity Orthodox Mission, Bishop Alexander (editor), {{cite web| url=http://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/catechism_ext.htm| title=The Orthodox Church}}</ref>|author=Bishop Alexander}}

"The Holy Spirit effects the vocation, the illumination, the conversion, the justification, the rebirth in Baptism and the sanctification in the Church..."<ref>The Road to Unity:  The agreed statements of the joint Old Catholic – Orthodox Theological Commissions IV/2 October 7, 1983.</ref>