Jun 6, 2007
Tom Schreiner, professor of NT at Southern Seminary was interviewed recently on the issue of justification. This was a major doctrinal difference during the Reformation between Rome and the Protestants. Many of the recent converts to Catholicism from evangelical philosophical circles have cited a resolvable doctrine of justification as one of the things that permitted them to leave to Rome.
The new perspective on Paul, early Judaism (Covenantal Nomism), and justification has contributed to this conversation. There is a brief introduction to the New Perspective at the Resurgence. I just finished listening to this and found it a helpful introduction. There are notes and the audio available.
This is a very important doctrine as it strikes to the heart of the biblical gospel - how are sinful human beings made righteous before God.
Comments
The intro at the resurgence is a helpful summary and a good introduction, but he does get some stuff wrong; I wouldn't take it as Scripture.
On a related note, check out NT Wright's What Paul Really Said. It's worth reading, and it's only 190 pages. WPRS lays out in a simple fashion what NTW says about The Righteousness of God and justification by faith. It's a good intro to his thinking on the subject, and aside from that, some brilliant insights into the Trinity and the Kingdom of God in Scripture. Plus, it'll correct some of the things in the resurgence article (which only quoted from one lecture NTW gave) that don't quite get NTW right.
Posted by: Benjamin Schellack | June 11, 2007 10:44 AM
What, you mean that audio deal I listened to wasn't Scripture!?! Smile. Thanks, I'll grab the book.
I also had this web site and resources recommended to me: http://studycenter.net/NTWright-Justification.htm
Posted by: Reid Monaghan | June 11, 2007 02:36 PM
Scriptura: (Lat) literally, "something written".
By definition, then, the audio cannot have been Scripture ("something written":)
The audio lectures, though I've only heard the first one, seem quite good. They get at NTW's strong points, while also laying out the trouble spots. Good stuff.
Posted by: Benjamin Schellack | June 12, 2007 04:43 AM
It also looks like John Piper will be weighing in on the discussion on justification by faith: http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/671/
Posted by: Benjamin Schellack | June 13, 2007 07:04 AM
Yes, I am guessing he will be refuting Wright and will come down very much for the reformation view. His PhD is in New Testament so he will probably do a very thorough job. I am sure it is going to be a great read. Hopefully charitable as well.
Posted by: Reid Monaghan | June 13, 2007 10:07 AM
Sorry to keep going on this old thread. They posted an excerpt from Piper's book at desiring God:
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/2007/2190_God_Is_for_Us_Christ_Obeyed_and_Died/
The PCA also published a report on the federal vision, a movement in the PCA community that sees NTW as a source of new theological inspiration: http://www.pcaac.org/2007GeneralAssembly/Fed%20%20Vision%20Rept%20%205-11-07.pdf
Posted by: Benjamin Schellack | June 14, 2007 08:56 AM
Ben, I read the piper gig yesterday - can't wait for the book.
Yes, the PCA doc on Federal Vision is not favorable - I read this a few weeks back. If you want to get in trouble in the PCA just be NPP and FV and the old guard will git ya.
They debated the resolution yesterday and it passed with a huge majority. If you read it you can see that departure from the Westminster Confession is a bad deal.
Posted by: Reid Monaghan | June 14, 2007 09:21 AM