Justification: Five Views, Edited by James K. Beilby and Paul Rhodes Eddy
Justification
paperback
  • Length: 320 pages
  • Dimensions: 6 × 9 in
  • Published: September 28, 2011
  • Imprint: IVP Academic
  • Item Code: 3944
  • ISBN: 9780830839445

*affiliate partner

"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom 5:1). When Paul wrote these words he seemed confident he had made himself clear.

But for centuries the Pauline doctrine of justification has been a classic point of interpretation and debate in Christian exegesis and theology. And while in recent decades there have been moments of hopeful convergence among the various traditions of the Western church, the fine print often reveals more facets and distinctions than ever before.

This Spectrum Multiview volume focuses on five views of justification and calls on representative proponents to set forth their case and then respond to each other. The five views are:

  • Traditional Reformed (Michael S. Horton)
  • Progressive Reformed (Michael F. Bird)
  • New Perspective (James D. G. Dunn)
  • Deification, or Theosis (Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen)
  • Roman Catholic (Gerald O?Collins and Oliver Rafferty)

In addition, editors James Beilby, Paul R. Eddy and Steven E. Enderlein provide an extensive introduction to the issues informing this important debate. This distinguished forum of biblical interpreters and theologians offers a lively and informative engagement with the biblical, historical and contemporary understandings of justification. Justification: Five Views is not only a fascinating probe into Paul's meaning, it is also a case book in theological method.

Spectrum Multiview Books offer a range of viewpoints on contested topics within Christianity, giving contributors the opportunity to present their position and also respond to others in this dynamic publishing format.

"Of all the multiple views books, this one was needed most. It is also perhaps the best yet: getting Horton, Dunn, Bird, Kärkkäinen, O'Collins and Rafferty all at the table at the same time under the same roof is both a tour de force and a brilliant example of how their interaction can teach each of us. One word is needed most for the justification debate at work among (mostly) evangelicals, the word listen, and if you listen to the pages of this book you will see examples of not listening and listening. The challenge remains for all of us: will we listen again to the Scriptures to hear what it says about justification? Or will we impose our systems of thought on the Bible?"

Scot McKnight, North Park University

"Beilby and Eddy have raised the bar with regard to this multiple views genre, this time bringing together world-renowned scholars and theologians to engage a very hot topic. Reading Justification: Five Views is like being treated to five books by five masters of their craft, each going deep into the details at times but yet also stepping back to cover the forest ably enough for the less initiated to appreciate what is at stake. A must-read for those interested in the ecumenical implications of the doctrine of justification."

Amos Yong, Regent University School of Divinity

"No single volume could possibly cover all Christian views of the doctrine of justification. Justification: Five Views courageously selects five contemporary views and helpfully presents and critiques them. Each view is expounded and defended by a leading proponent and then critiqued by other contributors. Anyone interested in the current discussion about this crucial Christian doctrine must read this book. It sheds more light than heat in an area of theology almost burned over by heated polemics. Of all the 'views' books out there, this is one of the best."

Roger E. Olson, professor of theology, George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University

"A wonderfully useful book. After a superb historical survey of the issues to be debated, five influential approaches to the doctrine of justification by faith are presented and defended by credible and engaging representatives. I can think of no better introduction to these important debates than this outstanding volume."

Alister E. McGrath, King's College, London

"[T]his volume is well worth reading, and it is appropriate for students and scholars. The editors have done a fabulous job in organizing the material and assembling an all-star lineup. Readers will not be disappointed with this excellent resource."

Kevin P. Emmert, Trinity Journal, Spring 2014

"The strength of this text is realized from the concise and scholarly documentation of each contributor. The reader will greatly benefit by learning the diverse views of justification. Most importantly the text will aid students to better defend their personal position of justification. The editors did achieve their formula for a good multiple-views book: it addresses an important theological issue, the debate is clearly defined, and the conversation represents positions that are distinct from each other."

Joseph Bresnahan, Criswell Theological Review, Fall 2013
More

CONTENTS

Abbreviations
Preface

Part One: Introduction
Paul Rhodes Eddy, James K. Beilby and Steven E. Enderlein
1. Justification in Historical Perspective
2. Justification in Contemporary Debate

Part Two: Five Views of Justification
1. Traditional Reformed
Michael S. Horton
Responses:
Progressive Reformed
New Perspective
Deification
Roman Catholic

2. Progressive Reformed
Michael F. Bird
Responses:
Traditional Reformed
New Perspective
Deification
Roman Catholic

3. New Perspective
James D. G. Dunn
Responses:
Traditional Reformed
Progressive Reformed
Deification
Roman Catholic

4. Deification
Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen
Responses:
Traditional Reformed
Progressive Reformed
New Perspective
Roman Catholic

5. Roman Catholic
Gerald O?Collins S.J. and Oliver P. Rafferty
Responses:
Traditional Reformed
Progressive Reformed
New Perspective
Deification

Contributors
Author and Subject Index
Scripture Index

More

You May Also Like

James K. Beilby

James Beilby (PhD, Marquette University) is professor of systematic and philosophical theology at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota. He is the author of Thinking About Christian Apologetics and Epistemology as Theology, the editor of Naturalism Defeated?, and the coeditor of numerous volumes, including The Nature of the Atonement, Divine Foreknowledge, The Historical Jesus, and Justification. His written work has appeared in publications such as Faith and Philosophy, Philosophia Christi, Religious Studies, and Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society.

Paul R. Eddy

Paul R. Eddy (Ph.D., Marquette University) is Professor of Theology at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota. His books include John Hick's Pluralist Philosophy of World Religions (Ashgate), Across the Spectrum: Understanding Issues in Evangelical Theology (with G. A. Boyd, Baker) and Divine Foreknowledge: Four Views (with James Beilby IVP).