Gospel Guidebook: Getting and Keeping It Right  

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Categories of Positional and Experiential Justification

The words "justify" and "justification" have various meanings depending on the context, but when discussing the "justification of sinners," especially in Romans 3-5, it is important to distinguish between the different categories of justification. In particular, there are three categories of justification that should be kept in mind when studying the topic of justification.

1. Positional Forensic Justification (PFJ) = Justification from God's point of view that was accomplished at the cross for sinners who were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world (i.e., divine foreknowledge).

2. Experiential Forensic Justification (EFJ) = Justification from the sinner's point of view at the moment of individually believing in Christ. It is the personal appropriation and experience of PFJ.

3. Experiential Ethical Justification(EEJ) = Justification/vindication from the presumably forensically (both positionally and experientially) justified man's point of view at the moment of a good work that restores fellowship with God or brings glory to God and oneself. (EEJ is part of the sanctification process.)

Some examples for the Greek verb dikaioo (to justify)