The Future of Justification: A Response to N. T. Wright

by John Piper

Overview

Pastor John Piper thoroughly analyzes the teachings of Bishop N. T. Wright on the topic of justification and sounds a call to discernment for the entire church.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781581349641
Publisher:	Crossway
Publication date:	11/28/2007
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

John Piper (DTheol, University of Munich) is the founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and the chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. He served for 33 years as the senior pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and is the author of more than 50 books, including Desiring God; Don’t Waste Your Life; This Momentary Marriage; A Peculiar Glory; and Reading the Bible Supernaturally.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments     9
Introduction     13
On Controversy     27
Caution: Not All Biblical-Theological Methods and Categories Are Illuminating     33
The Relationship between Covenant and Law-Court Imagery for Justification     39
The Law-Court Dynamics of Justification and the Meaning of God's Righteousness     57
The Law-Court Dynamics of Justification and the Necessity of Real Moral Righteousness     73
Justification and the Gospel: When Is the Lordship of Jesus Good News?     81
Justification and the Gospel: Does Justification Determine Our Standing with God?     93
The Place of Our Works in Justification     103
Does Wright Say with Different Words What the Reformed Tradition Means by "Imputed Righteousness"?     117
Paul's Structural Continuity with Second-Temple Judaism?     133
The Implications for Justification of the Single Self-Righteous Root of "Ethnic Badges" and "Self-Help Moralism"     145
"That in Him We Might Become the Righteousness of God"     163
Conclusion     181
A Note on the Purpose of the Appendices     189
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     191
Thoughts on Law and Faith inGalatians 3     197
Thoughts on Galatians 5:6 and the Relationship between Faith and Love     203
Using the Law Lawfully: Thoughts on 1 Timothy 1:5-11     207
Does the Doctrine of the Imputation of Christ's Righteousness Imply That the Cross Is Insufficient for Our Right Standing with God?     211
Twelve Theses on What It Means to Fulfill the Law: With Special Reference to Romans 8:4     215
Works of N.T. Wright Cited in This Book     227
Scripture Index     229
Person Index     235
Subject Index     237
A Note on Resources: Desiring God     240

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"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, Former Vice-Principal and Senior Research Fellow and Emeritus Faculty Member, Moore Theological College, 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; cofounder, The Gospel Coalition

"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 and Professor of Biblical Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky

"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 J. Köstenberger, Senior Research Professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

"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, Executive Director of Cultural Engagement, Howard G. Hendricks Center, and Senior Research Professor of New Testament 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