Arminians, reacting against Calvinism, taught that God's grace extends to all, and man must be persuaded to make a decision to accept that grace. Lutherans, contrary to Calvinists, accept universal grace, but believe that man is capable of rejecting grace. Contrary to Arminians, Lutherans believe that man is incapable of accepting grace. Man becomes righteous as a result of the infused grace of the Sacraments. Righteousness is actual.
Perfection is required for eternal life.
While Purgatory has lost favor, it remains a necessary part of the system. Justification is the defining truth of the Reformation. The perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ is, by the grace of God, imputed to the sinner. The righteousness that saves is an alien righteousness received by faith. The nineteenth century witnessed the rise of Evangelical Revivalism.