• Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

The Biblical Doctrine of Imputation

KenH

Well-Known Member
Romans 4:6-8 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, saying,

Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven,
And whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.


THE BIBLICAL DOCTRINE OF IMPUTATION

by Pastor Bill Parker, Eager Avenue Grace Church, Albany Georgia

If you do not understand the biblical doctrine of imputation, or if you are among those who call it a “legal fiction” or “not real,” here is a great example for you. We have just heard that our president decided to eliminate student debt. I read this statement this morning –

“Just to be clear, there is no plan to eliminate student debt. There is a plan to transfer that debt to those that don’t owe it.”

If you are an American taxpayer, that student debt has been transferred by imputation (charging, accounting that debt) to you even though you had nothing to do with incurring that debt. That debt is now LEGALLY your debt. That debt is now REALLY your debt, and you will pay it with your tax dollars.

In the same way the sin-debt of everyone of God’s people was transferred by imputation to Christ even though He had nothing to do with incurring that debt. That sin-debt was made LEGALLY His debt. That sin-debt was made REALLY His debt, and He had to pay it with the price of His own blood.

But there is a major difference between that student debt imputed to the American taxpayers and the sin-debt of God’s elect imputed to Christ. The student debt that was imputed to American taxpayers was enacted without their consent. The vast majority are UNWILLING participants in this transaction. But the sin-debt that God the Father imputed to His Son was done so with His full consent according to the terms of the everlasting covenant of grace. Christ was (and is) a WILLING participant in this transaction. He WILLINGLY agreed to pay that sin-debt with the price of His blood, and He WILLINGLY did so on the cross (John 10:11-18). Because of this great act of willingness on the part of Christ as our Surety, Substitute, and Redeemer, His righteousness has been imputed to us. No sin can be laid to the charge of God’s elect because of what our Savior WILLINGLY, LEGALLY, and REALLY did for us in His death. Because of His WILLINGNESS to accept that debt as His own and pay it in full, we have His righteousness as our own by the same LEGAL and REAL transaction – imputation (Rom. 4:6-8; 8:32-34). Also, because of His WILLINGNESS to accept that debt as His own and because He paid that debt in full, we have the assurance of spiritual and eternal life unto glory (Rom. 8:10).
 
Last edited:

JonC

Moderator
Moderator
Bad illustration. We are talking about sin and the wages of sin NOT a financial debt.

A better example would involves sin. A man molests and kills a 3 year old girl and is arrested. At the trial a Christian wants to demonstrate love to the child molester-murderer and to the world, so he tells the judge he will take that persons sentence. The judge recognizes this to be just so he sentences the Christian to death and sets the molester free.
 

KenH

Well-Known Member
Bad illustration. We are talking about sin and the wages of sin NOT a financial debt.

A debt is a debt is a debt, regardless of the form it takes. Pastor Parker uses it in a good way to teach a clear Biblical doctrine. Christ used kings in his teaching.
 

JonC

Moderator
Moderator
A debt is a debt is a debt, regardless of the form it takes. Pastor Parker uses it in a good way to teach a clear Biblical doctrine. Christ used kings in his teaching.
Except Scripture speaks of the wages of sin, not a sin debt. What is presented is neither biblical or taught by Christ.

The closest I can see is the Law as a certificate against us.

But I'm always willing to learn. Which passages were you considering that presents sin as a debt man owes to God?
 

JonC

Moderator
Moderator
13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against Jehovah. And Nathan said unto David, Jehovah also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. 2 Sam 12
Yes. I agree. But that passage does not say that sin is a debt owed to God.

Sin is a transgression against God. Sin carries with it consequences or "wages". Sin is simply not a debt owed that must be paid.
 

KenH

Well-Known Member
Except Scripture speaks of the wages of sin, not a sin debt. What is presented is neither biblical or taught by Christ.

The closest I can see is the Law as a certificate against us.

But I'm always willing to learn. Which passages were you considering that presents sin as a debt man owes to God?

Jesus used "debt" to illustrate "trepasses".

Matthew 18:23-35 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. (emphasis mine)
 

Van

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
I am humored at times by the misnaming efforts of the dark side.

The Inflation Reduction Act is actually the Inflation Production Act.

And the Biblical Doctrine of Imputation may be a destructive heresy.

Maybe we need a list?

KJVOism?

Water Baptism saves?

Christ came again already?

God does not desire all people to be saved?
 

KenH

Well-Known Member
I am humored at times by the misnaming efforts of the dark side.

200w.gif
 

JonC

Moderator
Moderator
Jesus used "debt" to illustrate "trepasses".

Matthew 18:23-35 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. (emphasis mine)
That was indeed an illustration about forgiveness. It is not a "sin debt".
 

kyredneck

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Looks like upon repentance, and he still suffered ramifications.

That word 'also', looks like to me David's forgiveness was in the works before David's repentance (besides, no need for David to admit to it, God already knew (Thou art the man)):

10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thy house, because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.
11 Thus saith Jehovah, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house; and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbor, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.
12 For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.
13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against Jehovah. And Nathan said unto David, Jehovah also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.
14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of Jehovah to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die. 2 Sam 12
 

JonC

Moderator
Moderator
Matthew 6:12; Luke 7:36-43.
Yes. We do trespass against God, and are in need of forgiveness.

But the context was not trespasses (unless you are arguing that "debts" in the passage are not referring to transgressions against God).

Is that your argument, that we have accumulated "sin debt" akin to financial accounting rather than transgressing God's law?
 

JonC

Moderator
Moderator
That word 'also', looks like to me David's forgiveness was in the works before David's repentance (besides, no need for David to admit to it, God already knew (Thou art the man)):

10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thy house, because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.
11 Thus saith Jehovah, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house; and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbor, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.
12 For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.
13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against Jehovah. And Nathan said unto David, Jehovah also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.
14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of Jehovah to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die. 2 Sam 12
I suspect so. God knew what would occur.
 

Martin Marprelate

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Yes. We do trespass against God, and are in need of forgiveness.

But the context was not trespasses (unless you are arguing that "debts" in the passage are not referring to transgressions against God).

Is that your argument, that we have accumulated "sin debt" akin to financial accounting rather than transgressing God's law?
Matthew 6:12. 'Forgive us our debts [Gk. opheilema] as we forgive our debtors.' We owe God a duty of righteousness and obedience which we are by no means able to fulfil. Praise God that we have a Surety in the Lord Jesus Christ.
 

JonC

Moderator
Moderator
Matthew 6:12. 'Forgive us our debts [Gk. opheilema] as we forgive our debtors.' We owe God a duty of righteousness and obedience which we are by no means able to fulfil. Praise God that we have a Surety in the Lord Jesus Christ.
I disagree.

Where you view the passage as telling us to forgive debts owed to us, I see this as speaking of forgiving others who have wronged us.

We ask God to forgive us as we forgive those who sin against us.

It is interesting how your presuppositions lead you to view the passage as a legal issue where mine leads me to view it as a spiritual issue.
 

Martin Marprelate

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
It is interesting how your presuppositions lead you to view the passage as a legal issue where mine leads me to view it as a spiritual issue.
It is, of course, both these things.
It is interesting how your presuppositions lead you to ignore the plain meaning of the words.
 

JonC

Moderator
Moderator
It is, of course, both these things.
It is interesting how your presuppositions lead you to ignore the plain meaning of the words.
Lol. It is funny that you fall back into that fallacy.

How do you know somebody cannot defend their ideas? Their claim is its "the plain meaning", "normal meaning", "obvious meaning", etc. It's a fools defense (not calling you a fool).

It seems like the "plain meaning" to you because of the contest you carry into the passage.

If God meant the passage to be a forensic accounting issue or legal declaration then you may be correct. BUT if the problem exceeds a legal issue, then you are wrong.
 
Top