Our current adult Sunday school class has been on justification. We've looked at the historical Reformed Protestant and Roman Catholic views and have now moved onto the New Perspectives on Paul (NPP). I confess I was fairly ignorant of this modern deviation from the traditional and (what I would consider) biblical doctrine of justification. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around its logic because it seems so contrary to my understanding of what it means to be saved.
One might say that this is a strictly academic discussion and beyond the concern of the average believer in the pew. I probably would have thought the same 5-6 years ago, but no longer. The gospel message is too important to assume. Justification by faith alone in Christ alone is the doctrine on which the church stands or falls. If we confuse this doctrine, it can lead to eternal consequences not only for ourselves but for those we're trying to reach. If you don't believe me, consider what Paul wrote in Galatians:
One might say that this is a strictly academic discussion and beyond the concern of the average believer in the pew. I probably would have thought the same 5-6 years ago, but no longer. The gospel message is too important to assume. Justification by faith alone in Christ alone is the doctrine on which the church stands or falls. If we confuse this doctrine, it can lead to eternal consequences not only for ourselves but for those we're trying to reach. If you don't believe me, consider what Paul wrote in Galatians:
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. Gal. 1:6-9
Here's a video response to NPP from Sinclair Ferguson and Ligon Duncan. I especially like Ferguson's defense of the biblical view of imputation and the implication of denying the imputation of Christ's active obedience to the believer. This is one of a long list of resources available at Ligonier.org on NPP.
Update: Looks like I am having trouble embedding this video. You can watch it here.
Update: Looks like I am having trouble embedding this video. You can watch it here.
Thanks for the link Persis. This is not good.
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ReplyDeleteTo clarify...I meant the teaching of N.T. Wright was not good (not the link).
ReplyDeleteNot sure what Wright teaches but what I've gathered from the link, the totality of the gospel is Christ and Christ alone. Accepting this is hard on man's ego and man has fought this glorious announcement continually (we just discussed Acts 15). The Gospel is not a thing we do or a union but News proclaiming what Christ has done, and there is nothing left for us... except rejoice and believe; and even this we could not bring about ourselves.
ReplyDeleteWright is returning to an almost Roman Catholic view of justification. He sees justification in Galatians as referring to whether someone is in the church or not, NOT whether one is in Christ or not. So Luther got it all wrong and so have we if we hold to the historical reformed view.
ReplyDeleteI hate to be wrong... I take comfort in knowing that He is always right! I am in Christ and if Christ is the church then I am in the church. But if he's talking about the rc church or a brick and mortar building then I'm in trouble, NOT. Thanks for filling me in.
DeleteHe's an Anglican and isn't specifically referring to the RC church. But his view of justification is similar to the RC view where it's Christ plus our works (although I don't think he uses the word "works").
DeleteI pray God clears his vision. The first few verses of Galatians 3 come to mind. Thanks again for the info.
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