Justification

The doctrine of justification stands at the center of our systematic reflection on the meaning of salvation as well as our piety, mission, and life together. In his two-volume work on the doctrine of justification, Michael Horton seeks not simply to repeat noble doctrinal formulas and traditional proof texts, but to encounter the remarkable biblical justification texts in conversation with the provocative proposals that, despite a wide range of differences, have reignited the contemporary debates around justification.
Building on his historical-theological exploration of justification in volume 1, in this second volume Horton embarks upon a constructive task of investigating the biblical doctrine of justification in light of contemporary exegesis. Here he takes up the topic of justification from biblical-theological, exegetical, and systematic-theological vantage points, engaging significantly with contemporary debates in biblical, especially Pauline, scholarship. Horton shows that the doctrine of justification finds its most ecumenically-significant starting point and proper habitat in union with Christ, where the greatest consensus, past and present, is to be found among Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestant theologies. At the same time, he proposes that the union with Christ motif achieves its clearest and most consistent articulation in forensic justification. The final chapter locates justification within the broader framework of union with Christ.
"This thorough, systematic, and far-ranging work advances a reading both distinctive and yet more traditional than many of today's dominant paradigms."--CRAIG KEENER, Asbury Theological Seminary
"Protestant and Catholic readers . . . will profit by wrestling with this learned historical study."--GERALD R. MCDERMOTT, Beeson Divinity School
"This is a volume bristling with theological insight and intellectual energy."--SIMON GATHERCOLE, University of Cambridge
"Very impressive and a major contribution to the clarification of the significant issues."--ROBERT KOLB, Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis
"A superb and engaging book, marked by a careful and generous listening to other theological traditions. It will not only reenergize the reader with a passion for understanding this long-running doctrinal conversation, but also challenge one to engage critically."--EDUARDO J. ECHEVERRIA, Sacred Heart Major Seminary

About the author

Michael S. Horton (PhD) is the J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics at Westminster Seminary California, founder and editor-in-chief of Sola Media, and host of the White Horse Inn, a weekly roundtable podcast on theology and culture. He is the author of more than thirty books, including Justification: Volumes 1 and 2 in Zondervan Academic’s New Studies in Dogmatics and The Christian Faith: A Systematic Theology for Pilgrims on the Way.
Michael Allen (PhD, Wheaton College) is the John Dyer Trimble Professor of Systematic Theology and Academic Dean at Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando, FL.
Scott Swain is Professor of Systematic Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida. He is author of several books, including The God of the Gospel: The Trinitarian Theology of Robert Jenson, and Trinity, Revelation, and Reading: A Theological Introduction to the Bible and its Interpretation. He serves as general editor (with Michael Allen) for T&T Clark’s International Theological Commentary and Zondervan’s New Studies in Dogmatics series.

 

Summary

The second of a two-volume project delving into the doctrine of justification. Michael Horton seeks not simply to recover a clear message of its role in modern Reformed theology, but also to bring a fresh discovery of the gospel in a time when contemporary debates around justification have reignited.
The doctrine of justification stands at the center of our systematic reflection on the meaning of salvation and grace as well as our piety, mission, and life together. And yet, within mainline Protestant and evangelical theology, it's often taken for granted or left to gather dust in favor of modern concerns and self-renewal.
Volume 2 embarks on the theologically constructive task of investigating the biblical doctrine of justification in light of contemporary exegesis. Taking up the topic from a variety of theological vantage points, Horton engages with contemporary debates in biblical, especially Pauline, scholarship.

• Part 1 draws out The Horizon of Justification from the Old Testament narratives of Adam and Israel.
• Part 2 defines The Achievement of Justification in the blood of Christ and seeks to lay the groundwork for understanding its extent.
• Part 3 focuses on The Gift of Righteousness, delving into a clear articulation of what justification means, its mechanism, and the role of works on the day of judgement.
• Part 4 proposes a way forward for Receiving Justification and understanding faith and justification within the broader framework of union with Christ.

Engaging and thorough, Justification shows that the doctrine of justification finds its most ecumenically significant starting point and proper habitat in unity with Christ, where the greatest consensus, past and present, is to be found among Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestant theologies.

Additional text

'All of these qualities elevate his work to such a high level that anyone who desires to adequately grasp and engage the Reformed view of justification in modern academia will have to read and interact with Horton's Justification... should be required reading in any course on soteriology... Horton's Justification is much more than a solid, convincing academic piece; it is a close look into what makes the gospel good news, filling believers with confidence and hope in Christ for this life and the one to come.'

Product details

• Authors: Michael Horton, Michael/ Allen Horton
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 30.11.2018
• EAN: 9780310578383
• ISBN: 978-0-310-57838-3
• No. of pages: 320
• Series: New Studies in Dogmatics; New Studies in Dogmatics
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > Christianity; RELIGION / Christianity / Catholic, RELIGION / Christian Church / History, RELIGION / Christian Church / Administration