Excerpt
“The subject matter of this book—justification by faith apart from works of the law—is serious. There is as much riding on this truth as could ride on any truth in the Bible” (p. 14).
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About the Book
N. T. Wright, a world-renowned New Testament scholar and bishop of Durham in the Church of England, has spent years studying the apostle Paul's writings and has offered a "fresh perspective" on Paul's theology. Among his conclusions are that "the discussions of justification in much of the history of the church-certainly since Augustine-got off on the wrong foot, at least in terms of understanding Paul-and they have stayed there ever since."
Wright's confidence that the church has gotten it wrong for 1,500 years, given his enormous influence, has set off warning bells for Christian leaders such as John Piper, a pastor and New Testament scholar. If Wright's framework for interpreting the New Testament text and his understanding of justification find a home in the church, not only could the doctrine of justification be distorted for generations to come, but the New Testament writers' original intent could be silenced. So Piper is sounding a crucial warning in this book, reminding all Christians to exercise great caution regarding "fresh" interpretations of the Bible and to hold fast to the biblical view of justification.
First Edition 2007
Crossway Books (Wheaton, Illinois)
Table of Contents
1. Caution: Not All Biblical-Theological Methods and Categories Are Illuminating
2. The Relationship between Covenant and Law-Court Imagery for Justification
3. The Law-Court Dynamics of Justification and the Meaning of God’s Righteousness
4. The Law-Court Dynamics of Justification and the Necessity of Real Moral Righteousness
5. Justification and the Gospel: When Is the Lordship of Jesus Good News?
6. Justification and the Gospel: Does Justification Determine Our Standing with God?
7. The Place of Our Works in Justification
8. Does Wright Say with Different Words What the Reformed Tradition Means by “Imputed Righteousness”?
9. Paul’s Structural Continuity with Second-Temple Judaism?
10. The Implications for Justification of the Single Self-Righteous Root of “Ethnic Badges” and “Self-Help Moralism”
11. “That in Him We Might Become the Righteousness of God”
12. Conclusion
Appendix One – What Does It Mean That Israel Did Not “Attain the Law” Because She Pursued It “Not by Faith But as though
It Were by Works”?
Thoughts on Romans 9:30–10:4
Appendix Two – Thoughts on Law and Faith in Galatians 3 197
Appendix Three – Thoughts on Galatians 5:6 and the Relationship between 203 Faith and Love
Appendix Four – Using the Law Lawfully: Thoughts on 1 Timothy 1:5–11 207
Appendix Five – Does the Doctrine of the Imputation of Christ’s Righteousness Imply That the Cross Is Insufficient for Our
Right Standing with God?
Appendix Six –Twelve Theses on What It Means to Fulfill the Law: With Special Reference to Romans 8:4
Translations
English-UK
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
ISBN: 9781844742509
Chinese-Traditional
Publisher: Kernel of Wheat Christian Ministries
Italian
Publisher: Alfa & Omega
Korean
Publisher: Revival and Reformation Press
ISBN: 978-89-6092-084-2
Portuguese
Publisher: Tempo de Colheita
ISBN: 978-85-61619-15-2
Related Resources
- What God Requires, Christ Provides (article)
- The Sufficiency of Christ’s Obedience in His Life and Death (article)
- Counted Righteous in Christ (book)
- Interview with John Piper about The Future of Justification (interview)
- Preaching Justification Undiminished (conference message)
- Faith and the Imputation of Righteousness (sermon)
About John Piper
John Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is the author of more than 50 books including Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist. John and his wife, Noël, have five children and twelve grandchildren.
Endorsements
“John Piper’s challenging yet courteous book takes issue with Tom Wright regarding Paul’s teaching on justification. This serious critique deserves to be read by all who want to understand more fully God’s righteousness in Christ and his justifying the ungodly.” —Peter T. O’Brien, Senior Research Fellow in New Testament, Moore Theological College, Sydney, Australia
“The so-called ‘New Perspective on Paul’ has stirred up enormous controversy. The issues are not secondary, and, pastor that he is, John Piper will not allow believers to put their trust in anyone or anything other than the crucified and resurrected Savior.” —D. A. Carson, Research Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
“In this captivating book John Piper defends the truth that justification is the heart of the gospel. Wright’s views are presented with scrupulous fairness. I found this book to be not only doctrinally faithful but also spiritually strengthening.” —Thomas R. Schreiner, James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
“I am very grateful to John Piper, pastor-scholar par excellence, for helping me understand better the doctrines of justification and imputation. Tom Wright’s interpretation of key biblical passages on the topic has some major problems, and Piper exposes many of them with great wisdom and skill.” —Andreas Köstenberger, Senior Professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology; Director of PhD/ThM Studies, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary; Founder, Biblical Foundations
"Piper's look at justification does this with a superb tone and a careful presentation of his case. Piper has put us in a position to hear both sides of the debate and understand what is at stake. Be prepared to be sharpened by a careful dialogue about what justification is." —Darrell L. Bock, Research Professor of NT Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary
"John Piper addresses a matter of crucial importance for the church, with a clear-headed command of the issues involved. By writing this book he has done us all, including N. T. Wright, a great favor." —Richard B. Gaffin, Jr. , Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology, Emeritus, Westminster Theological Seminary
