Reformed theology regards justification by faith as a central soteriological principle that determines the final destiny of the individual. It stands in absolute antithesis to the supposedly universal but futile endeavour of humanity to justify itself by its ethical and religious works. It assumes a forensic or judicial framework: at the final assize no one will be be justified—and therefore escape condemnation to hell—by anything that he or she has done; only those who have faith in the atoning death of Christ, etc., will be justified. It is essentially a metaphysical notion. Narrative has nothing to do with it.
My pragmatic-eschatological interpretation is that justification by faith presupposes the call of God to pursue a hazardous and uncertain course or to stand firm under threatening conditions. The right response to such a call is belief, trust, faith, faithfulness. Habakkuk 2:4 is seminal: when the wrath of God comes upon Israel, the righteous will live by their faithfulness (cf. Rom. 1:17). At some point in the future those who take that difficult and narrow path will find that they were right to do so—they will find that they were justified all along, despite the incredulity and antagonism of those around them.
Posts Tagged → faith
Yawning at Tigers by Drew Dyck
If you are looking for a book that seeks to highlight the awesome holiness and majesty of God and yet connect that to his infinite love and pursuit of His people you will enjoy this book. That said, I think the story of scripture is a bit more complicated than what is presented here; but perhaps that is asking too much of a book of this nature.
Continue readingThe First Time We Saw Him by Matt Mikalatos
If you are interested in a creative and well intentioned attempt to place the life of Jesus into the language and culture of today, you will enjoy this book. But if, like me, you are looking for something a little more ambitious or challenging you might be disappointed.
Continue readingThe First Time We Saw Him by Matt Mikalatos
If you are interested in a creative and well intentioned attempt to place the life of Jesus into the language and culture of today, you will enjoy this book. But if, like me, you are looking for something a little more ambitious or challenging you might be disappointed.
Continue readingScripture and the Authority of God by N.T. Wright
I found it to be an interesting and thought-provoking look at the subject of the authority of scripture. Anyone wrestling with the place of scripture in the life of the church and in the wider world would do well to read this book.
Continue readingScripture and the Authority of God by N.T. Wright
I found it to be an interesting and thought-provoking look at the subject of the authority of scripture. Anyone wrestling with the place of scripture in the life of the church and in the wider world would do well to read this book.
Continue readingThe Book of Jonah by Joshua Max Feldman
All in all, I was impressed with Feldman’s imagination and fearlessness in tackling a work like this. And the first half of the novel showed great promise. I am just not sure he quite pulled it off in the end.
Continue readingThe Book of Jonah by Joshua Max Feldman
All in all, I was impressed with Feldman’s imagination and fearlessness in tackling a work like this. And the first half of the novel showed great promise. I am just not sure he quite pulled it off in the end.
Continue readingThe Question That Never Goes Away by Philip Yancey
This is a slim book, roughly 176 pages, and Yancey spends time discussing both his past and the events surrounding these tragedies and his role in their aftermath. So if you are expecting an in-depth theological exploration of the problem of evil or theodicy this is not it. Rather it is a meditation on, and exploration of, these events and Yancey’ thinking as it has evolved and developed over the years.
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