Justification, Volume 1

Description

The first of a two-volume project delving into the doctrine of justification. Michael Horton seeks not simply to recover a clear message of its role in modern Reformed theology, but also to bring a fresh discovery of the gospel in a time when contemporary debates around justification have reignited. The doctrine of justification stands at the center of our systematic reflection on the meaning of salvation and grace as well as our piety, mission, and life together. And yet, within mainline Protestant and evangelical theology, it's often taken for granted or left to gather dust in favor of modern concerns and self-renewal. Volume 1 is an exercise in historical theology, exploring the doctrine of justification from the patristic era to the Reformation. This book: Provides a map for contemporary discussions of justification, identifying and engaging principal sources: Origen, Chrysostom, Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, John Duns Scotus, William of Ockham, Gabriel Biel, and the magisterial reformers. Studies the transformations of the doctrine through Aquinas, Scotus and the nominalists leading up to the era of the Reformation and the Council of Trent. Concludes by examining the hermeneutical and theological significance of the Reformers' understanding of the law and the gospel and the resultant covenantal scheme that became formative in Reformed theology. Engaging and thorough, Justification will not only reenergize the reader-whether Protestant or Catholic-with a passion for understanding this essential and long-running doctrinal conversation, but also challenge anyone to engage critically with the history of the Church and the heart of the gospel.

Michael Horton (PhD) is Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics at Westminster Seminary in California. Author of many books, including The Christian Faith: A Systematic Theology for Pilgrims on the Way, he also hosts the White Horse Inn radio program. He lives with his wife, Lisa, and four children in Escondido, California. Michael Allen (PhD, Wheaton College) is the John Dyer Trimble Professor of Systematic Theology and Academic Dean at Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando, FL. Scott Swain is Professor of Systematic Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida. He is author of several books, including The God of the Gospel: The Trinitarian Theology of Robert Jenson, and Trinity, Revelation, and Reading: A Theological Introduction to the Bible and its Interpretation. He serves as general editor (with Michael Allen) for T&T Clark's International Theological Commentary and Zondervan's New Studies in Dogmatics series. He is a regular blogger at Reformation21.

'Respectfully yet relentlessly pressing Horton's many conversation partners in New Testament, this thorough, systematic, and far-ranging work advances a reading both distinctive and yet more traditional than many of today's dominant paradigms. Horton also exposes some of our blind spots, properly challenging mischaracterizations of the Reformers. In contrast to some New Testament scholars driven too much by modern philosophic premises, Horton is often more faithful to ancient interpretations relevant to the biblical cultures. As a New Testament scholar, I profited repeatedly from his historical context for various theological approaches in modern New Testament scholarship.' * Craig Keener, F. M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies, Asbury Theological Seminary * 'This is a superb theological study that creatively retrieves the doctrine of justification from the patristic era to the Reformation. Horton seeks to revitalize the contemporary ecumenical discussion regarding justification by showing not only the enduring merits of the Reformation's exegetical, theological, and pastoral legacy, but also its hermeneutical and theological superiority to alternative views, namely, Roman Catholic, Radical Orthodoxy, the new perspective on Paul, and new Finnish interpretations. Some of his interpretations are questionable, for example, 'the triumph of Nominalism occurred with the Counter-Reformation (Council of Trent) rather than with the Reformation.' Still, I came away from reading this engaging book marked by a careful and generous listening to others, both reenergized with a passion for understanding the long-running doctrinal conversation about God, grace, and justification and challenged to engage critically the author's vision.' * Eduardo J. Echeverria, professor of philosophy and systematic theology, Sacred Heart Major, Archdiocesan Seminary of Detroit * 'This is a serious and important work coming from a leading Reformed theologian. It concerns a pivotal doctrine that was at the heart of the Reformation and that continues to provoke differences between Protestants and Catholics. Both Protestant and Catholic readers-not only scholars but also theologically interested laity-will profit by wrestling with this learned historical study.' * Gerald R. McDermott, Anglican Chair of Divinity, Beeson Divinity School * 'It is not often one finds a book ranging across the three 'CDs'--the Damascus Document, Augustine's City of God, and Barth's Church Dogmatics! This is a volume bristling with theological insight and intellectual energy. Add to that Horton's learning and clarity, and you have that rare thin--a gripping and intelligent treatment of justification.' * Simon Gathercole, reader in New Testament, University of Cambridge, fellow and director of studies in theology, Fitzwilliam College * 'Doctrine, as the Reformers never tired of saying, flows from and leads back to Scripture. Michael Horton has demonstrated this thesis with Justification, a project that is at once a rich and rigorous exegetical investigation of the doctrine of justification and at the same time a model of theologically engaged scriptural interpretation. As all theology must, this book drinks from the well of Scripture as it walks the path of reading and doctrine towards the horizon of praise and proclamation. The result, both exegetically informed and theologically significant, is good news 'for your bones and mine' (Luther): God justifies the ungodly in Christ, an unconditioned gift given in the word of promise that creates faith.' * J. A. Linebaugh, lecturer in New Testament, Cambridge University, fellow, Jesus College * 'This work is very impressive and a major contribution to the clarification of the significant issues. Horton anchors his presentation of the Protestant Reformers' teaching on the justification of the sinner in an extensive, carefully wrought exploration of the biblical roots, and he anchors conceptualizations of the relationship between sinners and their Creator within a covenantal framework that takes seriously both the sacramental nature of how God operates and the re-creative power of the gospel delivered by Christ. He challenges false interpretation of the Reformers' understanding of justification with thorough, perceptive assessments of patristic and medieval doctrines of justification, providing an alternative that capitalizes on the sixteenth-century insights to address the twenty-first- century person in the midst of the turmoil of our times.' * Robert Kolb, professor emeritus of systematic theology, Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis * 'These two volumes on Justification are not only enormously good but enormously important. I'm so grateful for them and I think they could be and should be game-changing for evangelicalism...Charles Taylor's A Secular Age and your work on Justification are the two most important books I've read in the last 10 years (at least)...I'd have every ministry student working in western culture read and master the arguments of both. If I had my way I'd find a way to have three full courses--one devoted to Taylor, one to Horton's Justification, and one to the Institutes--in each course the entire work would be read and distilled.' * Tim Keller, Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City * 'Writing with theological and pastoral passion, Horton is a formidable polemicist who never loses sight of his central concern, so that his book is both an exciting debate and a moving witness to the Pauline, Lutheran, and Calvinist Gospel... Horton's very readable volumes are a major theological statement that may rouse from their slumbers the despisers of the Reformation and the Pauline message. I would like to see them in the hands of every student of theology.' * Fr. Joseph O'Leary, Modern Theology * 'Over 900 pages of some of the most important research done on the doctrine of justification from a Protestant perspective in the last several decades... This two-volume work is indispensable reading for any interested in rebutting current critiques of justification by grace alone through faith alone.' * Mark Mattes, Lutheran Quarterly * 'In summary, Horton's Justification is a robust articulation of the doctrine that successfully manages to situate the doctrine historically, articulate its theological importance, reflect upon its biblical foundations, and to engage firmly but charitably its contemporary critics. It will be a valuable resource to students of the doctrine for years to come... a rich reward is in store.' * Guy Prentiss Waters, Themelios * 'All of these qualities elevate his work to such a high level that anyone who desires to adequately grasp and engage the Reformed view of justification in modern academia will have to read and interact with Horton's Justification... should be required reading in any course on soteriology... Horton's Justification is much more than a solid, convincing academic piece; it is a close look into what makes the gospel good news, filling believers with confidence and hope in Christ for this life and the one to come.' * Lucas Sabatier M. Leite, Reading Religion (American Academy of Religion) *