Dr. John Piper’s The Future of Justification: A response to N. T. Wright (PDF; 2.2mb) is the latest addition to the Protestant debate on the so called “New Perspective on Paul.” Thoughtful readers will be encouraged by Piper’s forward in that while he disagrees with Wright’s “retelling of the story of justification,” Piper carefully engages Wright’s writings on this topic (even sending a draft to Wright, who himself returned a lengthy reply) to give as fair and honest a critique as possible. So, don’t expect this book to merely bash N. T. Wright or to claim everything Wright wrights is wrong. In Piper’s words:
My conviction concerning N. T. Wright is not that he is under the curse of Galatians 1:8–9, but that his portrayal of the gospel—and of the doctrine of justification in particular—is so disfigured that it becomes difficult to recognize as biblically faithful. It may be that in his own mind and heart Wright has a clear and firm grasp on the gospel of Christ and the biblical meaning of justification. But in my judgment, what he has written will lead to a kind of preaching that will not announce clearly what makes the lordship of Christ good news for guilty sinners or show those who are overwhelmed with sin how they may stand righteous in the presence of God.
[...] As critical as this book is of Wright’s understanding of the gospel and justification, the seriousness and scope of the book is a testimony to the stature of his scholarship and the extent of his influence. I am thankful for his strong commitment to Scripture as his final authority, his defense and celebration of the resurrection of the Son of God, his vindication of the deity of Christ, his belief in the virgin birth of Jesus, his biblical disapproval of homosexual conduct, and the consistent way he presses us to see the big picture of God’s universal purpose for all peoples through the covenant with Abraham—and more. In this book, my hope, most remotely, is that Wright might be influenced to change some of what he thinks concerning justification and the gospel. Less remotely, I hope that he might clarify, in future writings, some things that I have stumbled over. But most optimistically, I hope that those who consider this book and read N. T. Wright will read him with greater care, deeper understanding, and less inclination to find Wright’s retelling of the story of justification compelling (pp. 15-16).
I am looking forward to reading Piper’s work myself, for a variety of reasons:
- To my knowledge this book is one of the first popular-level engagements of the New Perspective by a conservative evangelical pastor.
- Wright’s writings are so voluminuous that it will be interesting to see what parts (i.e. which books, articles, commentaries, lectures, etc.) of Wright’s writings Dr. Piper chose to focus on the most.
- Because one of the key issues in the debate (in terms of classic Reformed covenant theology) is the nature and purpose of the covenant of works (with its correlatives of Christ’s active and passive obedience), and since Piper was trained in the Fuller tradition, which repudiates classic covenant theology, I am curious to see how Piper deals with Christ’s active obedience in relation to justification and imputation of Christ’s righteousness.
Buy The Future of Justification: A response to N. T. Wright or read the free eBook online (PDF; 2.2mb).
Related: View Dr. Piper’s sermons on the doctrine of justification.
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Lo, point three is particularly interesting in light of the fact that people like Mark Karlberg (??) has stated that Piper is a heretic for denying the covenant of works. But on the other hand, Piper receives compliments from Douglas Wilson, who though sympathetic at times with Wright, also agrees with Piper’s denial of the covenant of works.