Book Review: The Future of Justification

Posted by Collin Brendemuehl - December 2, 2007 on 5:28 pm | In Evangelical Perspective, N T Wright | Comments Off The Future of Justification, A Response to N. T. Wright
by John Piper
Crossway Books
ISBN-13: 978-1-58134-964-1
ISBN-10: 1-58134-964-5

Serving the body as both a pastor and as a scholar his writing brings a flavor that goes beyond regular academic works. He brings a pastor desire for positive and productive interaction when the motivations of both parties are in line with the Lord's desires. At the same time he is a man of conviction and will not dismiss the polemic nature of Scripture or his efforts.

Piper, as always, is thorough. Piper goes through Wright's positions and the Scripture with a clear point-by-point approach. You won't be disappointed.

This paragraph (p. 34), as I read it, sets the theme for his effort:
Biblical theology, as over against systematic theology, is sometimes acclaimed as the discipline that has set us free from these possible distortions of systematic theology. Biblical theology aims to read the authors of Scripture along the trajectory of redemptive history in light of the authors' own categories that are shaped by the historical milieu in which they lived. Done properly, this is an essential part of responsible exegesis and theology. Those who submit their minds to the authority of Scripture, as N. T. Wright readily confesses that he does, will want to understand what the authors originally intended to say -- not what they can be made to say by later reinterpretation.
A work like this, written from a pastor, would be valuable and relevant to every pastor who desires to be up-to-date with theological discussions today.