The Chemnitz Forum Announces:
The Chemnitz Conference, 2026
Objective Justification
June 8–9, 2025
St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church
9035 Grant Ave,
Brookfield, IL 60513
Speakers
Rev. Dr. Gregory Schultz
Rev. Dr. Roland Ziegler
Rev. Andrew Preus
Rev. Paul Rydecki
Rev. Martin Diers
Registration
Online — $65
Day of conference — $75
Objective Justification
Justification is the doctrine on which the Church stands or falls. While all Confessional Lutherans are united on the doctrine of Justification by Faith, there is a difference among us on how one is to understand the relationship between the Universal Atonement which Christ accomplished by His suffering and death, and how this atonement is declared and applied to the world.
The Synodical Conference, under C. F. W. Walther, adopted the term “Objective Justification” to address the distinction between what the Atonement accomplished and how the Atonement is declared to the world. In brief, Objective Justification is the Father’s declaration that the world is reconciled through Christ’s suffering and death, and the sins of the world are forgiven. But this can only be applied by faith, such that only he who believes this is thereby justified, his faith counted as righteousness.
However, this understanding was rejected by other Lutheran bodies then and now. Even today, there is a lack of agreement around how Objective Justification is to be understood, even among those who confess it. This has made the doctrine difficult to discuss with those who reject it.
At this conference we hope to bring clarity to both sides of the discussion, so as to arrive at a clear and common understanding both of the doctrine itself, and the points of disagreement with those who reject it.
Conference Format
The Chemnitz Conference is not a typical free conference, but a venue to identify and clarify points of disagreement, and if possible to arrive at a common understanding.
Confession requires clarity both regarding the theses of the doctrines which we confess, and their antitheses. Without such two-fold clarity, there is no hope of arriving at true unity and a common confession.
Where there are disagreements, we seek to understand the positions of both parties so well that one side can express the position of the other in a way that both agree is accurate.
First Day
The Conference will begin with Rev. Martin Diers, the Chairman of the Chemnitz Forum, presenting draft articles on Objective Justification, followed by our first speaker.
Second Day
Our remaining three speakers will present. The conference will close with a moderated panel at which our speakers will critique the draft articles presented at the beginning of the conference. We will open the floor for questions.
Comments
After each presentation, time permitting, the speakers will take questions.
We ask all attendees to keep our goals in mind as they ask questions. We are not here to be contentious, but to understand the positions of all parties accurately.
Questions may be asked by both clergy and adult male laity. Women and children are welcome to attend the conference, but we respectfully ask that they refrain from asking questions.