Justification and Regeneration: Practical Writings on Saving Faith

by John Witherspoon, Kevin DeYoung (Editor)

Healthy doctrines of justification and regeneration have always been essential to the Christian's faith and knowledge of God. In the context of 18th century Great Britain and its American colonies, few treatments were as highly regarded as John Witherspoon's An Essay on Justification and A Practical Treatise on Regeneration, both reprinted in this volume.

Providing a careful summary of Witherspoon's life and thought, Kevin DeYoung's introduction and notes are an invaluable guide to these classic works. Justification and Regeneration is both milk and solid food for the Christian—an incisive study of the converted person's standing before God, along with a pastoral exploration of the power of that conversion.

Genres: Theology

207 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2022

About the author

John Knox Witherspoon was a Scottish-American Presbyterian minister and a Founding Father of the United States. Witherspoon embraced the concepts of Scottish common sense realism, and while president of the College of New Jersey (1768 – 1794; now Princeton University), became an influential figure in the development of the United States' national character. Politically active, Witherspoon was a delegate from New Jersey to the Second Continental Congress and a signatory to the July 4, 1776, Declaration of Independence. He was the only active clergyman and the only college president to sign the Declaration. Later, he signed the Articles of Confederation and supported ratification of the Constitution. In 1789 he was convening moderator of the First General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America.

Reviews

[Ben Hegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witherspoon is a great writer. In the essay on justification he clearly lays out how justification by faith alone does not lead to antinomianism. In the second essay he clearly lays out the sovereignty of grace in salvation. He can be a bit rambly and not so concise at times but he is almost devotional to read in what are essays on theological matters. He's very keen to speak of the Christian Life and that these things should affect the life of the believer. The regeneration essay finishes with a wonderful plea to the unconverted to come to Christ and receive Him. One negative for me is the KJV language English Scripture quotations (prose that isn't Scripture has modernised English) - had to keep looking up my ESV to see what the verses meant but that's not really an issue as good Christian books should be based on and bring us back to Scripture. Kevin DeYoung did a fine job of editing this work and writing the short introduction. Westminster Seminary Press did an excellent job in the typesetting and production of this fine volume. I would highly commend this book to anyone. It's fairly accessible to those non readers or those not into such theological works. Don't be intimidated by the fact that Witherspoon is no longer alive. It's accessible and very helpful. This book will inform and shape your consideration of the doctrines of justification, regeneration and indeed sanctification.

[Adam Kareus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two great works from John Witherspoon which would greatly edify anyone who reads them. Withersppon makes it clear that it is only grace alone which justifies a believer and that there must be a change in a person for them to become a believer.

[Nick Kinkead · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm grateful to Kevin DeYoung for bringing this gem of Witherspoons into view. He cuts where he needs to, but is quick to remind the reader of the Gospel and the need for Christ. This was one of the most pastoral books I've read in a while.