The Imputation of the Active Obedience of Christ in the Westminster Standards

by Alan D. Strange

In this book, Alan D. Strange investigates the Westminster Assembly and the Westminster Standards to determine whether they affirmed the imputation of Christ's active obedience as necessary for our justification. He also gives a survey of church history before and during the Reformation to see how the Assembly relates to the tradition before it. This study also reflects on the relation of imputation to federal theology, modern challenges to the doctrine, and important rules for interpreting the confessional document. Table of
1. An Initial Approach to the Westminster Assembly's Understanding of Christ's Active Obedience
2. Antecedents to Active Obedience in the Ancient and Medieval Church
3. Active Obedience in the Reformation before the Westminster Assembly
4. The Work of the Westminster Assembly and Active Obedience, Part 1
5. The Work of the Westminster Assembly and Active Obedience, Part 2
6. The Imputation of Christ's Active Obedience throughout the Westminster Standards
7. Active Obedience and Federal Theology
8. The Place of Active Obedience in Confessional Interpretation

Genres: Theology

176 pages, Paperback

Published September 15, 2019

Reviews

[Marc Scaturro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great treatment of the importance of the active obedience of Christ along confessional lines. Very helpful in refuting the New Perspective on Paul stuff and Federal Vision. Nice little read.

[Steve · Rating 2 out of 5]

After referring back to Robert Letham's excellent section on active obedience in his "The Westminster Assembly: Reading its Theology in Historical Context" (pp 250-264), where Letham sets out a careful summary of the complex debate at the assembly, the different parties and the final statement included in the WCF - "whole obedience" - this being a statement aimed to satisfy both parties.

This book contains little exegesis on this issue, which does not help the author's case.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good book on the Westminster Standards doctrine of Imputed Righteousness addressing whether the WCF affirms active obedience and imputation. Strange affirms that the majority view of the Westminster Assembly was affirming active obedience although later confessions such as the Savoy Declaration of Faith and 1677 London Baptist Confession (using the language of the Savoy) are more explicit in their chapter on Justification.

WCF 11.1 1644 version states, "...but by imputing the obedience and satisfaction of Christ unto them..." The 1646 revision adds the word "whole".

The Savoy Declaration of Faith and the 1677 London Baptist Confession of Faith state the following in chapter 11.1 on Justification, "...but by imputing Christ's active obedience to the whole law, and passive obedience in his death, for their whole and sole righteousness..."

The first 5 chapters address historical debates in the Westminster Assembly on active obedience and responds to some other historical views that view the WCF as not affirming active obedience. I enjoyed Chapter 6 as Strange traces the doctrine of justification and imputed righteousness through the entire WCF rather than focusing narrowly on Chapter 11 and shows that when viewed as the whole the WCF clearly affirms the imputed righteousness of Christ.

There is a chapter addressing Federal Vision and the New Perspective on Paul which is useful and a good rebuttal of some historical revisionism advocated by some of their proponents that the WCF does not affirm imputed righteousness.

This is a very useful book for understanding justification in the WCF and debates that occurred during the time that helped shape the language of later confessions such as the Savoy Declaration and 1677 London Baptist Confession.

[Pat Phelps · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, enjoyed the book. I always find Dr. Strange to be knowledgeable (well informed) on any subject he attempts to tackle. In the “Imputation of the Active Obedience of Christ in the Westminster Standards” is no different.

I found his arguments that the WCF contained the active obedience of Christ, to be credible. I personally think he made a strong case in spite of a clear statement by the assembly on the subject. I also found his argument regarding the actual purpose of the assembly to be a very interesting point.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the subject matter of active obedience in the Westminster Confession.

“Take up and Read” - Saint Augustine

[Andrew Hoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Moderately helpful. The strongest section is Ch. 5 “The Work of Westminster Assembly and Active Obedience” where Dr. Strange provides an overview of the debates and specific revisions related to active obedience. Unfortunately there is a fair bit of useless or repetitive information. There are also parts where mere assertion takes the place off careful argumentation (which would be helpful), esp. in Ch. 7 where he deals with New Perspective on Paul, Federal Vision, and others who have questioned the Covenant of Works.

[Jacob London · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good historical survey of the active obediance of Christ. I agree with Machen, "No hope without it"!

[Hobart · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I was never going to get this (and 15 others) properly written up, so I posted quick, tweet-length thoughts about some things that have needed reviewed for far too long:
I love this series. Strange packs so much material into this tiny package. Excellent stuff.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short book helped me understand the vital importance of the doctrine of Christ’s active obedience as well as the comfort that’s to be found in it. It’s a sound work of historical theology while being easy to follow. I also understand the basic outlines of covenant theology better than I have before. This book definitely filled some gaps in my knowledge.