Justification: God's Plan & Paul's Vision

This book is part of a continuing conversation between Wright and John Piper, who wrote  The Future of Justification: A Response to N.T. Wright  in response to some of Wright's earlier writings on Pauline theology. This is then Wright's response to Piper. The book divides into 2 (almost equal) parts. The first part is Wright's more direct response to Piper's book, combined with a restatement and clarification of some points, though these will be familiar to readers who have followed the same route that I did ( What St Paul Really Said  ->  Paul: Fresh Perspectives  - >  The Future of Justification: A Response to N.T. Wright ). The second half is an exegesis on the key sections in Paul's writing relating to the theme of justification.As the publishers chose to publish in the name of `Tom' rather than `N.T.' one might expect this to be at the more "everyday" level, more akin to  Simply Christian  or  Surprised by Hope  than his work on the Christian Origins and the Question of God series. Don't let this lull you into a sense that there isn't much to think through. Wright's argument needs a great deal of care and attention in order to follow it. Indeed, one of his criticisms of Piper and other critics is that they have cherry-picked their objections, failing to see the bigger picture. There are flashes in the first half of some of Wright's exasperation which some have taken to be slightly less than gracious. I must admit that I have some sympathy with this view, as the introduction comes across as though this was a book that Wright was compelled to write, which interrupted his schedule.I must confess that I found the 2nd half of the book much tougher than the first. This is where Wright goes into detail on the key passages relating to justification in Galatians and Romans, with an interlude looking at Philippians, Corinthians and Ephesians. The trouble stems from the fact that Wright doesn't include any of the texts he is talking about. So one is compelled to read this book in one hand and a bible in the other. Even then, the large sweeps Wright takes encapsulates large chunks of text at a time. While Wright is keen to show the "big picture" I couldn't help but get a little bit lost along the way. Speaking to others about the book, it appears several `gave up' at this point though I would strongly encourage anyone who has done so to try again.One of the great treats of the book is that at several places, Wright echoes Paul's writing style (especially his rhetorical questions) with the likes of, "What shall we say to these things?" or, "Where then is boasting in human traditions (including those of the Reformation)?" before going on to answer these questions himself. Having followed, chronologically by publication, some of the New Perspective writings, I'm not sure how accessible this book might be to those who haven't followed the same path. There are certainly a lot of riches to be discovered, though I would recommend tracing the journey that resulted in arriving here. But for anyone who wants to understand the background, the debate and the interpretations that are important to the New Perspective, then this would have to be core reading. The Future of Justification: A Response to N.T. WrightWhat St Paul Really SaidPaul: Fresh PerspectivesThe Future of Justification: A Response to N.T. WrightSimply ChristianSurprised by Hope

N.T. Wright is the kind of writer who takes me out of my comfort zone. Widely regarded as one of the greatest New Testament scholars alive today, this is his response to John Piper's response to him ("The Future of Justification"). It is a captivating read. What I've learned from N.T. Wright is that it is not faith in justification by faith that saves, but faith in Christ that saves. There are many believers around the world who may not be able to articulate the doctrine of justification in a way that would be satisfactory to certain brethren who are paid up members of the 'Frozen Chosen Brigade', but they love Christ nonetheless, and are looking to Him for their salvation. The implication of what Piper (and others) seem to be suggesting is that believers throughout Church history who have not had this 'forensic' understanding of the doctrine, are headed for oblivion. This is deeply troubling. The vast majority of professing Christians will be in hell because they couldn't say the right thing, in a mechanical fashion, about a particular doctrine?? I'm not comfortable thinking this way any more. Thank God that the Lord knows those who are His, irrespective of whether they are able to articulate this doctrine in a forensic manner or not.Wright is not always easy to read, but if you invest the time to engage him through this book, you will be challenged and richly rewarded. Wright is also very good at the 'Big Picture', 'Grand Narrative', and 'Drama of Redemption' - so if you enjoy Biblical Theology you will certainly enjoy Wright!For evangelicals who like to think outside the box, it's Five Stars!

Both for those of us Christians who are familiar with Professor Tom Wright’s writing, and even more for those who have yet to read him and have some catching up to do, it is high time that we accept his challenges to our motivation and discipleship. ‘For too long we have read scripture with nineteenth-century eyes and sixteenth-century questions. It’s time to get back to reading with first-century eyes and twenty-first-century questions’ (p 21). Exactly so! This is what he himself has been doing, brilliantly and eruditely, on our behalf for several decades. Now we we need to stop being dazzled, and join the revolution.This particular book, which Wright says he did not want to have to write, is a prime example of the ‘nineteenth-century eyes and sixteenth-century questions’ bit, in which he answers critics of his studies of St Paul with barely concealed exasperation. The irony of having to take on ‘sola scriptorum’ advocates who nevertheless want to stick with Reformation (sixteenth-century) tradition, rather than explore fresh first-century insights, is almost comical. (I have read Piper, by the way.) Much of the book focuses on justification and related theological and soteriological concepts (the jargon does rub off a bit). It needs to be said first, that there is a very great deal on which Wright and Piper et al do actually agree; and secondly, that many people will regard the ‘evangelical arm-wrestling’ which detailed exegesis seems to involve as largely irrelevant to daily discipleship. I’m fairly sure that our heavenly Father doesn’t regard it as that important either.However the book as a whole is fabulously rich in all sorts of things which really do matter, and demonstrates how Wright’s fascinating scripture-based insights can be woven together into an overarching structure which is truly breathtaking in its potential to shake up our thinking. These strands include God’s plan to redeem creation, initially through his chosen people Israel; his covenant faithfulness and how this expresses itself as God’s righteousness; the metaphor of the law court; the decisive action of God through his son to defeat sin and death, and end Israel’s state of exile; the reality of the physical resurrection of Jesus; the opening wide of the door to us Gentiles; and the ongoing, non-stop real-time story in which every single one of us has a continuing part to play. The first chapter contains two brilliant parables, of the sunrise - which takes us way beyond what one reviewer has aptly called ‘sin management theology’ - and of the jigsaw puzzle. Ponder them! Chapter 8 - ‘Conclusion’ - is a short but cogent summary of the scripture-centred riches of this book. Scattered throughout, to make us chuckle when we spot them, are brief parodies of Paul’s literary style.Five stars are not enough for a book of this importance. Read it! - and also ‘What St Paul really said’ (this is the one that Piper et al didn’t like but didn’t properly read), ‘Simply Jesus’, ‘Surprised by hope’, ‘Scripture and the authority of God’, ‘When you believe’. Read them all - and then let’s all get cracking. There’s clearly lots to do.

Tough scholarly stuff I needed (and still need) to get my head round. As a beginning theology student books like this by acknowledged scholars are essential - even better when they are also readable, but you can go back to bits you didn't understand and think about them afterwards. I do like this man's style.

Brought as a present for my son. He found it very informative.