Justification by Faith Alone

Features:

• A thoroughly documented overview of the New Perspective.
• Historical survey and analysis by an upcoming scholar who studied under E. P. Sanders
• A well-formed critique, with special attention to the doctrine of justification
• Employs both exegetical and theological analysis

With the help of several theologians, Gary L. W. Johnson and Guy P. Waters trace the background and development of two seemingly disparate movements that have surfaced within the contemporary church---the New Perspective(s) on Paul and the Federal Vision---and how they corrupt the truth of salvation by faith alone. By regaining a focus on the doctrine of grace, pastors, seminarians, and future leaders can regain the cohesion, coherence, and direction to truly build the church to withstand the attacks of false and empty doctrines.

Contributors include

• David F. Wells
• Cornelis P. Venema
• T. David Gordon
• Richard Phillips
• C. FitzSimons Allison
• David VanDrunen
• E. Calvin Beisner
• R. Fowler White
• John Bolt
• R. Albert Mohler, Jr.

Gary L. W. Johnson is adjunct professor at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Suzanne, live in Arizona and have four children.

Guy P. Waters is assistant professor of biblical studies at Belhaven College. He and his wife, Sarah, live in Mississippi and have two children.
     

This sequel to Sproul's popular Faith Alone includes the complete text of The Gospel of Jesus Christ along with thorough, point-by-point discussion and exposition. The significance of this latter affirmation is summed up by Christianity Today which noted that "a number of people have been stunned by the broad acceptance of this statement." It has been signed by "Methodist and Presbyterian, Pentecostal and cessationist, Baptist, Lutheran, Anglican and free church" leaders.

As Sproul explains, unity in the gospel touches the soul of the church itself and all of its members. "To be faithful to the Great Commission," writes Sproul, "we must get the gospel right."
     

The Boice Commentary Series combines careful scholarship and clear communication in a verse-by-verse and section by section reading of various biblical texts. James Montgomery Boice, a former pastor, combines thoughtful interpretation with contemporary insight for daily living, and explains the meaning of the text and relates the text's concerns to the church, Christianity, and the world in which we live.
     

"I do not know of any other book that sets forth so effectively and yet in such a brief form the real nature of Calvinism and the effect that it has had in history." Loraine Boettner

"This is a readable and happy account of Calvinism in history." Rousas Rushdoony

"This book sure-footedly guides us over the terrain of Calvinism's broadsweeping political and moral influence, concluding that Calvinism's evangelistic power results from the doctrines of grace, particularly justification by faith alone." Joel Beeke
     

"The New Perspectives on Paul and the Federal Vision have posed grave challenges to the biblical doctrine of justification by faith alone and to the covenant theology taught by the Scripture. I am therefore extraordinarily grateful that the faculty of Westminster Seminary California has provided the church with this fine collection of essays. Readers will find in it able, thorough, and biblical responses to the New Perspectives and to the Federal Vision. They will find no ground---exegetical, theological, historical, homiletical---untraversed. Reformed ministers, elders, or students cannot afford to bypass careful study of this volume."
Guy Prentiss Waters
     

Fifteen 23 minute messages on 5 CDs.
     

What makes the attack especially dangerous is that it consists of a development of a doctrine of the covenant that is popular in Reformed and Presbyterian churches. The newest form of the age-old attack on the gospel of salvation by sovereign grace is covenant doctrine. It called itself the "federal vision," that is, "covenant vision."

The Covenant of God and the Children of Believers defends the Reformed faith against the current attack by exposing the doctrine of the covenant from which the attack arises. This is something that few, if any, of the opponents of the federal vision have done. At the same time, the book sets forth the doctrine of the covenant that safeguards and promotes the gospel of sovereign grace, demonstrating that this covenant doctrine is biblical, confessional, and traditionally Reformed.

Since the controversy centers around the inclusion of the children of believers in the covenant, this book emphasizes the rightful place of children in the covenant of grace and the proper rearing of them. These are truths of the greatest practical importance for godly parents, as also for Reformed churches and Christian schools. Consideration of the inclusion of children in the covenant enables the author to distinguish the covenant views of the Protestant Reformed Churches, Baptists, the Netherlands Reformed Congregations, and the Canadian Reformed Churches ("liberated"). Leading representatives of these churches and traditions join in the discussion.

An entire chapter is devoted to the comfort of godly parents at the death of infant children.

All those who are concerned about the contemporary controversy over justification, as well as those who simply have an interest in the covenant of God with the children of believers, will benefit from this book.
     

"Justification by faith alone, that central doctrinal feature of the Reformation, has proven to be a controversial issue down through the years. This is not surprising, since it undermines the perennial human desire to have human merit as the basis for salvation. But this doctrine is eminently biblical. Moreover, it glorifies God and puts human beings in their place in a God-centred universe.

"Controversy erupted over this doctrine towards the end of the Puritan era, and it has to be admitted that Richard Baxter, such a good guide to Puritan views on ethical issues, was behind the theological errors to which Benjamin Keach ably responds in this vital work. But why reprint this work from a bygone day and old controversy? For the simple fact that theological error on this issue is not relegated to the past. As significant sectors of Evangelicalism careen towards theological disaster in our day, this issue of how a person is made right with God has again become a matter of debate and acrimonious dispute. And here Keach can help us.

"So read this work! Defend with your last breath the biblical doctrine herein recommended! And glorify the God who justifies the wicked!" - Dr. Michael Haykin

Benjamin Keach (1640-1704) was an important Particular Baptist preacher, author, and ardent defender of Baptist principles, even against Richard Baxter. Often in prison and frequently in danger for preaching the Gospel, he was the first to introduce the singing of hymns in the worship of English congregations.
     

Accordint to Piper, Wright's confidence that the church has gotten it wrong for 1,500 years, given his enormous influence, set off warning bells for Christian leaders such as himself, a pastor and New Testament scholar. According to Piper, if Wright's views find a home in the church, not only could the doctrine of justification be distorted for generations to come but the New Testament writers' original intent could be silenced. This book is a call from John Piper to all Christians, citing his warnings against "fresh" interpretations of the Bible and his plea to hold fast to what he considers the biblical view of justification.
     

• Scripture: Inerrant & Revealed
• Theology: Traditional/Conservative Reformed
• Wider Tradition: Protestant/Evangelical
• Audience: Pastors/Laity
• Uses: Scripture Study, General Reading, Devotional

In a day when the essential message of the gospel is being assaulted by either Legalism or Antinomianism -Evangelical protestantism, which claims the heritage of the Reformation, is in danger of repudiating its history by embracing a gospel that fundamentally denies the message of the Reformers.

Debates on Catholicism and lordship salvation underscore the rampant confusion within evangelicalism over the precise meanings of salvation, justification and saving faith. This book clarifies the issues by clearly setting forth the biblical Reformation teachings of the gospel and savation. Softcover, 202 pages.