The controversy started with Shepherd saying that works were a way of salvation, and treated as an instrument. Works were seen as the other side of the coin of faith. He referred to James 2:24 in defence. (Reformers would see ‘justification’ as demostrative, not declarative.)
Main points of the 1976 paper, “The Relation of Good Works to Justification in the Westminster Standards”:
1) Not only faith, but also concrete actions of repentance are necessary as the way of justification
2) In addition, works that take time, including the diligent use of the outward means of grace are necessary for justification.
3) Good works are necessary to maintain a person in the state of justification.
4) The call of the gospel message for obedience is not different from the call for faith.
Allegations from the commission(pp. 56ff):
1) Shepherd’s presentation of his views are confusing and will be misunderstood.
2) Shepherd’s view of the covenant is erroneous since it leads to the idea the elect can become reprobate.
3) Shepherd’s original view that works were an instrument of justification were erroneous and had not been repudiated.
‘Problematics in Shepherds Views’ given in the Seminary’s defence of Shepherd’s dismissal:
1) The confessional emphasis on faith as the alone instrument in justification is muted.
2) Shepherd rejects the Covenant of works and any place for merit for Adam. He makes faithful obedience the condition of all covenants. This rejects the westmister structure.
3) This covenantal dynamic changes the doctrine of assurance, ignoring the inner witness of the Spirit.
Possible causes of the controversy:
1) Shepherd was misunderstood. But there was extensive and intensive study!
2) Shepherd represented a strand within the Reformed tradition not reflected in the Seminary. However, it is difficult to see the differences over the doctrine of justification in the presbyterian and reformed confessions.
3) Personality conflict. Not likely.
Palmer concludes that the differences were over the substance of his views.
Summary of Shepherd’s formulations:
1) justification has been seen through the Roman legal model and this is inadequate. It must be seen in terms of covenant. It must not be reduced to a legalistic courtroom.
2) Election is seen through the static model of God’s unchanging decrees. Instead it must be seen through covenant.
3) Church membership and the sacraments must define genuine position and experience in the covenant of grace.
4) Faith and its benefits cannot be abstracted from one another. The way of faith is the way of obedience and vice versa.
Categories: RobertsonOP, ShepherdN, Justification
