The doctrine of justification by faith alone is a central issue in Reformed theology, which emphasizes the substitutionary death of Christ and the imputation of His righteousness to believers. This concept is distinct from the Roman Catholic view of justification, which requires faith, sacramental confession, and works of satisfaction. The Protestant Reformers, such as Luther and Calvin, argued that faith is the instrumental cause of justification, and that it is not a work that can be done by humans, but rather a gift from God that brings about salvation.
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