Welche Rechtfertigung braucht der Mensch?

The reception of the doctrine of justification is a striking touchstone for the theological quality of sermons and their relevance in the everyday lives of listeners. In both respects, it proves to be a problem: sermons that refer to the topos of justification usually do so in the speech act of assertion; and they often claim the justification of the sinner for experiences for which no justification is needed at all, which paradoxically gives them a »legal« note. This homiletical practice is, among other things, the consequence of inconsistent but highly effective anthropological premises concerning human freedom and dignity. This article takes the view that part of the challenge of a justifying sermon is not simply to proclaim freedom and dignity as a gift, but to support the audience in appropriating, deepening and consolidating them as an attitude.