Justification - (Spectrum Multiview Books) by James K Beilby & Paul Rhodes Eddy (Paperback)

About the Book

James Beilby, Paul R. Eddy and Steven E. Enderlein moderate this five-way discussion on the Pauline doctrine of justification. The traditional Reformed view, the progressive Reformed view, the new perspective, the deification/theosis view and the Roman Catholic view are each given a fair hearing.

Book Synopsis

James Beilby, Paul R. Eddy and Steven E. Enderlein moderate this five-way discussion on the Pauline doctrine of justification. The traditional Reformed view, the progressive Reformed view, the new perspective, the deification/theosis view and the Roman Catholic view are each given a fair hearing.

Review Quotes

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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?"

"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."

About the Author

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).

Michael F. Bird is lecturer in theology at Ridley College in Melbourne, Australia. Previously he served at Crossway College in Australia and Highland Theological College in Scotland. He is the author of several books, including Jesus and the Origins of the Gentile Mission and The Saving Righteousness of God: Studies on Paul, Justification and the New Perspective, as well as numerous essays, articles and reviews.

James D. G. Dunn was for many years the Lightfoot Professor of Divinity in the Department of Theology at the University of Durham. Since his retirement he has been made Emeritus Lightfoot Professor. He is credited with coining the phrase "New Perspective on Paul" during his 1982 Manson Memorial Lecture.

Veli-Matti Käkkäinen is professor of systematic theology at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. He has published numerous articles in international journals of theology. His books include Pneumatology (Baker), Christology (Baker), Toward a Pneumatological Theology (UPA), An Introduction to Ecclesiology (InterVarsity Press), Trinity and Religious Pluralism (Ashgate), The Doctrine of God (Baker) and One with God (Liturgical Press).

Steven E. Enderlein is associate professor of biblical studies at Bethel University.

James K. Beilby is professor of systematic and philosophical theology and Paul Rhodes Eddy is professor of theology, both at Bethel University. Together they have also edited Divine Foreknowledge: Four Views, The Nature of the Atonement: Four Views and the award-winning The Historical Jesus: Five Views.

Horton (Ph.D., Wycliffe Hall, Oxford and the University of Coventry) is associate professor of historical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Escondido, California. He has also studied at the International Institute of Human Rights in Strasbourg and was a research fellow at Yale University. In addition, he is a past president of Christians United for Reformation, current president of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, host of the White Horse Inn radio broadcast and editor of Modern Reformation Magazine. Horton's other works include Made in America: The Shaping of Modern Evangelicalism (1991), Beyond Culture Wars: Is America a Mission Field or a Battlefield? (1994), Where in the World Is the Church? A Christian View of Culture and Your Role in It (1995), We Believe: Recovering the Essentials of the Apostles' Creed (1998), A Better Way (Baker, 2002) and Covenant and Eschatology (Westminster/John Knox, 2002).