Justification and the Gospel: Understanding the Contexts and Controversies

by R. Michael Allen

Seeking to move beyond current heated debates on justification, this accessible introduction offers a fresh, alternative approach to a central theological topic. Michael Allen locates justification within the wider context of the gospel, allowing for more thoughtful engagement with the Bible, historical theology, and the life of the church. Allen considers some of the liveliest recent debates as well as some overlooked connections within the wider orbit of Christian theology. He provides a historically informed, ecumenically minded defense of orthodox theology, analyzing what must be maintained and what should be reconfigured from the vantage point of systematic theology. The book exemplifies the practice of theological interpretation of Scripture and demonstrates justification's relevance for ongoing issues of faith and practice.

Genres: Theology, Christian

208 pages, Paperback

First published November 15, 2013

About the author

R. Michael Allen (PhD, Wheaton College) is Kennedy Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Knox Theological Seminary in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He is ordained in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and is the author of several books.

Reviews

[Samuel Kassing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent treatment of the Protestant doctrine of justification. It is published through Baker Academic so it is fairly technical. But, it aptly defends the Reformed understanding of justification and shows how movements like NPP are mistaken. It also shows the proper place of justification in the economy of salvation and Christian theology in general. If you are looking for a place to understand the relationship between justification and sanctification I would highly recommend this work.

[Sam Dyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

(4.5) This book is fairly technical but I found it really helpful in outlining the areas of debate surrounding the doctrine of justification and offering a clarifying perspective.

Especially impressive was the tone in which the book is written. Allen’s argument seemed to remove heat from debates and discussion - he is very gracious to those on his or the other side of each exegetical or dogmatic debate and frequently asserts what he thinks those he disagrees with get right.

For several areas of debate, he reframes the question being argued helpfully - I found this especially so when he deals with justification’s place alongside participation and other loci of doctrine. He asserts that justification is the grounds of the gospel without being its goal and that it has at times been elevated unhelpfully. This allows him to put participation and sanctification in their most fitting theological place.
His slight reframing of the argument around the genitive of pistis christou was also very helpful.

I thought perhaps the final chapter on the church lacked great relevance but the vast majority of the book was extremely clarifying on a hotly debated issue.

Allen’s insistence on dogmatic theology bringing much needed scriptural clarity was very insightful and I found particularly interesting the idea that justification is frequently expounded even where the word itself is not used.

[Hunter Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

How does one make sense of all the contemporary controversies surrounding the doctrine of justification? This book is the answer. Allen offers an insightful analysis of justification studies and helpful conclusions. I would especially recommend this book for its treatment on the New Perspective and its bridging of Aquinas' and Calvin's thoughts.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review on my blog: http://wp.me/pf2RR-t4