Justification in Perspective : Historical Developments and Contemporary Challenges

The last thirty years have seen much scholarly debate surrounding the Protestant doctrine of justification. These discussions have especially been fueled by the development of the "New Perspective on Paul," which goes against the traditional understanding of first-century Judaism as a legalistic and works-based system and so changes our understanding of Paul's writings on justification in the New Testament. This major work presents a historical survey of the doctrine's development from the early church through the Reformation and on to today. Contributors include Henri Blocher, Tony Lane, Bruce McCormack, Carl Trueman, David Wright, and N. T. Wright. Though these distinguished authors have different perspectives, they approach the topic graciously, making for a constructive dialogue that will help pastors, students, and interested laypersons wrestle with this important theological issue. Contents Preface Bruce L. McCormack 7 Abbreviations 11 1 Edinburgh Dogmatics Conference Sermon Mark Bonnington 15 2 Justification in the Early Church Fathers Nick Needham 25 3 Justification in Augustine David F. Wright 55 4 Simul peccator et justus: Martin Luther and Justification Carl Trueman 73 5 Calvin’s Doctrine of Justification: Variations on a Lutheran Theme Karla Wübbenhorst 99 6 A Tale of Two Imperial Cities: Justification at Regensburg (1541) and Trent (1546–1547) Anthony N. S. Lane 119 7 Justification and the ordo salutis A. T. B. McGowan 147 8 Justitia aliena: Karl Barth in Conversation with the Evangelical Doctrine of Imputed Righteousness Bruce L. McCormack 167 9 The Lutheran-Catholic Declaration on Justification Henri A. Blocher 197 10 The Doctrine of Justification in Paul and Beyond: Some Proposals Simon Gathercole 219 11 New Perspectives on Paul N. T. Wright 243 List of Contributors 265 Scripture Index 267 Subject Index 269 Edinburgh dogmatics conference sermon / Mark Bonnington Justification in the early Church Fathers / Nick Needham Justification in Augustine / David F. Wright Simul peccator et justus: Martin Luther and justification / Carl Trueman Calvin's doctrine of justification: variations on a Lutheran theme / Karla Wubbenhorst A tale of two imperial cities: justification at Regensburg (1541) and Trent (1546-1547) / Anthony N.S. Lane Justification and the ordo salutis / A.T.B. McGowan Justitia aliena: Karl Barth in conversation with the evangelical doctrine of imputed righteousness / Bruce L. McCormack The Lutheran-Catholic Declaration on justification / Henri A. Blocher The doctrine of justification in Paul and beyond: some proposals / Simon Gathercole New perspectives on Paul / N.T. Wright. This important collection draws together diverse voices, committed to an irenic engagement, to explore the historical development and contemporary understandings of the Protestant doctrine of justification. Justification in Perspective assesses major contributions of the Christian tradition to the subject. This volume constitutes a progress report on the state of the Protestant doctrine of justification in the midst of challenge and change and serves as a way station to greater understanding and resolution. Contributors include Mark Bonnington, Nick Needham, David F. Wright, Carl Trueman, Karla Wubbenhorst, Anthony N.S. Lane, A.T.B. McGowan, Bruce L. McCormack, Henri A. Blocher, Simon Gathercole, and N.T. Wright. - Publisher A diverse group of international theologians explores the historical development and contemporary understandings of the Protestant doctrine of justification.