Getting the Gospel Right: Assessing the Reformation and New Perspectives on Paul (Cornelis P. Venema)

Description

Every generation of Christian believer faces the challenge of proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ with integrity and in conformity to the teaching of the Scriptures.

But what do the Scriptures teach with regard to the central message of the gospel? Were the Reformers correct to insist that the good news of God’s gracious and free acceptance of guilty sinners, on the basis of the obedience and atoning sacrifice of Christ, lies at the heart of the gospel? Or are we to accept the ‘new perspectives’ on Paul’s teaching, which have been advocated in recent years by those who have made a fresh study of the relevant historical sources?

Since the new perspectives challenge some of the basic features of the traditional Protestant understanding of justification, they require careful study and thoughtful evaluation. Nothing less than the shape of the evangelical church’s proclamation of the gospel today is at stake.

Table of Contents

Preface    vii

1.    INTRODUCTION    1

2.    THE REFORMATION PERSPECTIVE ON PAUL    5

‘Justification’: A Judicial Declaration of Acceptance with God    8

‘By Grace Alone’: The Basis for Free Justification    12

‘Through Faith Alone’: The Instrument of Justification    16

Key Features of the Reformation Perspective    19

3.    A ‘NEW PERSPECTIVE’ ON PAUL    23

A New View of Second-Temple Judaism: E. P. Sanders    26

A New View of the ‘Works of the Law’: J. D. G. Dunn    31

A New View of ‘Justification’: N. T. Wright    35

4.    A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE NEW PERSPECTIVE    59

An Exaggerated View of Sanders’ Achievement    60

The ‘Works of the Law’ in Paul’s Epistles    65

‘The Righteousness of God’ in Paul    71

The Nature of ‘Justification’    74

‘Substitution’, ‘Imputation’, and ‘Faith’    80

A ‘Final Justification’ on the Basis of Works?    83

5.    CONCLUSION    89

Product Details

Title: Getting the Gospel Right: Assessing the Reformation and New Perspectives on Paul 

Author: Cornelis P. Venema

Publisher: Banner of Truth

Pages: 112 

Binding: Paperback

Size: 18.1 x 12.0 x 0.8 cm

ISBN: 9780851519272