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Explorations in Biblical Theology
Justification by Grace through Faith: Finding Freedom from Legalism, Lawlessness, Pride, and Despair
The doctrine of justification as an alien, imputed righteousness has been under attack for several years. This biblical theology of justification traces how the doctrine unfolds in Scripture and how, in Christ, God provides everything needed for sinners to be made right with him. Whether we are struggling with legalism, lawlessness, pride, or despair, a biblical view of justification will lead us away from ourselves to the God who accepts us fully in Christ. The Explorations in Biblical Theology series addresses the need for quality literature that attracts believing readers to good theology and builds them up in their faith. Each title in the series combines solid content with accessibility and readability-a valuable addition to the library of any college student, thoughtful lay reader, seminarian, or pastor. Endorsements "Brian Vickers is both a brilliant scholar and a faithful teacher. In his new book, Justification by Grace through Faith , he offers both theological edification and spiritual encouragement." -R. Albert Mohler Jr. "In creative ways Vickers juxtaposes Adam, Abraham, Israel, and the Mosaic law respectively with their supreme and crowning counterpart-Jesus, the obedient second Adam, the fulfillment of the promise to Abraham, and the atonement as the goal of the Mosaic law." -Hans F. Bayer "Vickers has done the church a service, not by laboring through the recent challenges for a negative result, but by offering a positive, fresh exposition from the Scriptures. With breathtaking scope he traces Christ's imputed righteousness from the pages of Genesis all the way to Paul and James." -A. Andrew Das
- GenresTheology
240 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2013
57 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 2, 2025
4.5 stars
A recommended read for the educated layperson who wants to dig into the doctrine of justification in light of progressive revelation - informative and pastorally sensitive.
A recommended read for the educated layperson who wants to dig into the doctrine of justification in light of progressive revelation - informative and pastorally sensitive.
November 13, 2021
Well researched and written.
November 28, 2015
I was supposed to write a 1-page review of this book for school. This is my attempt to squeeze Vicker's excellent book into one page.
The issue of justification begins in the Garden of Eden. Vickers argues that there was a covenant between God and Adam (see esp. Hos 6:7). Jesus, the second Adam, is the solution to our exile from Eden (see Rom 5:12-21). Whereas we were counted as having sinned “in Adam,” we are counted as having obeyed “in Christ” (48).
Abraham is viewed by God as having fulfilled the standards of righteousness by his faith. Abraham’s faith is manifest in his obedience (circumcision in Gen 17 and sacrifice of Isaac in Gen 22). Imputation is a real transaction, not merely “God’s crunching numbers to make the justification equation add up” (74). Paul does not say that Abraham’s faith was perfect, but notes that he persevered over the long haul.
What about the OT law? The law was never intended to provide righteousness, but rather was an outflow of the Abrahamic covenant that established their relationship with God. As Vickers puts it, “The Sinai covenant is . . . a conduit through which the promise made to Abraham flows to its fulfillment in Christ” (119). The law explicates the blessings and curses of the father-son relationship established with Abraham. But “the law does not give the thing needed to keep it—a new heart” (114). This need would be met when the true Servant of God would keep the law.
Vickers defines works righteousness as any “attempt to establish righteousness in any way other than how God intends” (130).
Paul and James are in harmony but addressing different problems. Vickers explains, “Paul proves that his teaching of justification by faith apart from works is not novel but is the way people have always been made right with God. James is out to show that saving faith is evidenced in its actions” (151). Faith is the root; works is the fruit.
Perhaps the best chapter was the last where Vickers showed the application of this doctrine to everyday life. We all have “tendencies toward self-justification” (168), to the point that we can pride ourselves on not trusting in works (175)!
The issue of justification begins in the Garden of Eden. Vickers argues that there was a covenant between God and Adam (see esp. Hos 6:7). Jesus, the second Adam, is the solution to our exile from Eden (see Rom 5:12-21). Whereas we were counted as having sinned “in Adam,” we are counted as having obeyed “in Christ” (48).
Abraham is viewed by God as having fulfilled the standards of righteousness by his faith. Abraham’s faith is manifest in his obedience (circumcision in Gen 17 and sacrifice of Isaac in Gen 22). Imputation is a real transaction, not merely “God’s crunching numbers to make the justification equation add up” (74). Paul does not say that Abraham’s faith was perfect, but notes that he persevered over the long haul.
What about the OT law? The law was never intended to provide righteousness, but rather was an outflow of the Abrahamic covenant that established their relationship with God. As Vickers puts it, “The Sinai covenant is . . . a conduit through which the promise made to Abraham flows to its fulfillment in Christ” (119). The law explicates the blessings and curses of the father-son relationship established with Abraham. But “the law does not give the thing needed to keep it—a new heart” (114). This need would be met when the true Servant of God would keep the law.
Vickers defines works righteousness as any “attempt to establish righteousness in any way other than how God intends” (130).
Paul and James are in harmony but addressing different problems. Vickers explains, “Paul proves that his teaching of justification by faith apart from works is not novel but is the way people have always been made right with God. James is out to show that saving faith is evidenced in its actions” (151). Faith is the root; works is the fruit.
Perhaps the best chapter was the last where Vickers showed the application of this doctrine to everyday life. We all have “tendencies toward self-justification” (168), to the point that we can pride ourselves on not trusting in works (175)!
April 19, 2013
Justification is a great doctrine to study in the Bible. It is so fundamental. Without it our salvation would be non-existent.
There is so much logic to how God accomplished our salvation. God can not disregard the Law that He gave. The Law shows the very character of God. He can not deny Himself.
How can God justify the guilty?
How can He forgive their sin and still be just?
Can a judge forgive the guilty without destroying justice and without becoming an unjust judge?
Vickers answers these and other questions in this wonderfully written book.
It was a joy to see God's plan unfolded in each page. All glory is given to the one who accomplished our salvation. It is not about us and what we do. It is about what Christ done. He is our righteousness. He took our punishment. We are righteous through Him. Works come because we are justified, not to accomplish it.
It is not of ourselves, so that we can not boast. We are totally reliant on God, who is both Just and the Justifier.
I had already read Vicker's book, "Jesus' Blood and Righteousness". That book was about imputation. This book covers some of the same ground, but focuses more on Justification.
I enjoyed this book. It is packed with good exegesis and I love a book with footnotes! It is neither a simplistic read nor a chore. He takes some deep truths and explains them to the satisfaction of the new and mature believer alike.
His section on James is great.
I highly recommend this book and give it 5 out of 5 stars.
I received this book free of charge from P&R Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
There is so much logic to how God accomplished our salvation. God can not disregard the Law that He gave. The Law shows the very character of God. He can not deny Himself.
How can God justify the guilty?
How can He forgive their sin and still be just?
Can a judge forgive the guilty without destroying justice and without becoming an unjust judge?
Vickers answers these and other questions in this wonderfully written book.
It was a joy to see God's plan unfolded in each page. All glory is given to the one who accomplished our salvation. It is not about us and what we do. It is about what Christ done. He is our righteousness. He took our punishment. We are righteous through Him. Works come because we are justified, not to accomplish it.
It is not of ourselves, so that we can not boast. We are totally reliant on God, who is both Just and the Justifier.
I had already read Vicker's book, "Jesus' Blood and Righteousness". That book was about imputation. This book covers some of the same ground, but focuses more on Justification.
I enjoyed this book. It is packed with good exegesis and I love a book with footnotes! It is neither a simplistic read nor a chore. He takes some deep truths and explains them to the satisfaction of the new and mature believer alike.
His section on James is great.
I highly recommend this book and give it 5 out of 5 stars.
I received this book free of charge from P&R Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 23, 2013
Justification, in the Biblical sense, is when a person is declared righteous before God. All professing Christians agree that such a declaration is necessary yet many differ on where this righteousness comes from, or how it is applied. Vickers takes an exploratory view of Scripture showcasing justification, unpacking how the righteousness that God requires does not come from within us and must be applied by grace through faith in Christ. Well written, and easy to recommend.
February 1, 2014
Great introduction to the doctrine of justification. It's not meant to be another book in the line of debates regarding justification, so it is helpful in that regard as well. Vickers shows a good handling of the relevant texts, but the real beauty in this book is when he shows the practical blessings in studying the doctrine. Highly recommended for anyone interested in learning more about justification by faith alone.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews