Is "Justification by Faith" the Gospel?? A review of 'Beyond Justification' by DePue and Campbell

Follow me on Goodreads: / joel-wentz
What does "justification by faith" really mean? And is it really the center of the Gospel? How important is it in the New Testament? In Paul's letters? Why is it such a prominent idea in Protestant-Evangelicalism, and is it possible that we need to radically rethink the whole idea? These are just a few of the questions that Depue and Campbell tackle in their ambitious, but highly readable, new volume on Paul.
00:00 - Introduction
00:27 - Main Idea
04:36 - Research
06:54 - Readability
08:35 - Reaction

[@stephengorman1025]

The Gospel was announced clearly by John the Baptist, 'Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the Sin of the World.' Jesus confirmed this by saying 'If I be lifted up I will draw all people to myself' and praying 'Father forgive them they know not what they do.' The Spirit has been sent to write God's Law on our hearts to enable the Church to witness (by word and deed) to the truth, goodness and beauty of Christ. The aim is the reconciliation of all things (Colossians 1v15-20) and the fulfilment of the original covenant 'Let us make Mankind (Adam) in our image. Romans 11v32-36. To God be the Glory, Grace and Peace

[@RighteousReport]

Good Review 🙏🏾. I think we must keep in mind letter readers and different voices. What caused me to accept it is Paul's Christology in that he would never consider anything "clearly" revealing God other than Jesus. Especially creation. Those people weren't atheists they believed false gods created everything. Also, the consistent use of "them" in chapter 1, which is consistent with how he flips it on the "you" to the teachers who are judging "them." Nor would he say the doers of the law are justified. Considering he flips it on its head in his conclusion of that thought. It's a mockery. But yes, The Deliverance of God is good!

[@anthonybarber3872]

Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ...Romans 5:1-2.

[@silentgreybox]

I would love to see N.T. Wright seriously engage with this newer generation of scholars (that I guess are largely under the "Paul within Judaism" umbrella?) in some forum. It sometimes feels to me like the younger scholars overstate their differences at least a tad, but I'm no academic.

[@jeromemausling6324]

There is a video online of Campbell "attacking" Wright in a panel discussion. Shameful display by Campbell. (I think it's on the Duke uni channel)

[@thomasalbinholmes2538]

Great, great stuff. Thank you Joel

[@warrenroby6907]

You convinced me to read this book.

[@JoshWashington]

11:25 Seriously, you just have to read Luthers preface to Romans to see this... "The first duty of a preacher of the Gospel is, through his revealing of the law and of sin, to rebuke and to turn into sin everything in life that does not have the Spirit and faith in Christ as its base. Thereby he will lead people to a recognition of their miserable condition, and thus they will become humble and yearn for help. This is what St Paul does...."

[@jeromemausling6324]

This is a misrepresentation of gospel preaching. Nowhere in the NT is there an appeal to the law as prelude to preaching the gospel. The law was part of the covenant of Israel for the nation of Israel. The law was not written for gentiles and isn't a prerequisite for preparation of the gospel message. 2 Cor 3 ... direct reference to the law written with God's own finger is referred to a ministry of death

[@Joesfosterdogs]

I wish you would discuss much more on how you deal with "wrestling with it" and how this may cause uncertainty within...how do you deal with this uncertainty in all your readings?

[@alanhawkins_44]

Brian Zahnd is the signal that he’s headed toward a viewpoint from the early Greek Fathers.

[@jeromemausling6324]

What do you mean by this?

[@JoshWashington]

Campbell writing a short book? I don't believe it. It must be pseudonymous.

[@stephengorman1025]

Try reading Paul an Apostle's Journey it is both short and illuminating.

[@brianmidmore2221]

Is Paul explaining the gospel in Romans? He does this in 1 Cor 15. I think he is explaining who are the people of God. Those who believe in Jesus both Jew and Gentile are God's people (the righteous). There is no condemnation for these people because they walk in the Spirit. I.e they are on the path of righteousness.

[@harrygarris6921]

Post reformation there was a re-imagining of the gospel message away from the resurrection and towards the atonement and justification. It's clear that this was not about recovering the gospel that the apostles themselves preached, because if that was the goal it would closely resemble St. Peter's Pentecost sermon in Acts 2. The atonement + justification gospel message sounds nothing like St. Peter's sermon, or the Corinthian creed in 1 Corinthians 15 either. It's not an attempt to be apostolic it's more about neatly packing a specific theological paradigm into an elevator pitch.

[@brianmidmore2221]

@@harrygarris6921 For Paul the Law is negative when in the flesh (his Jewish heritage) but positive when in the Spirit. The cross and resurrection have not negated the Law but transformed it. Nowhere does he suggest that the Law in the flesh is the starting point for the Gentiles. They do not have the Law in the flesh but through faith in Jesus they now have the Law written on their heart and as a result do the the Law.

[@harrygarris6921]

@@GrayBlanket I already said, Acts chapter 2.

[@GrayBlanket]

@@harrygarris6921 Yes you did say Acts 2. And 1 Cor 15. Apologies for my misread and irrelevant comment question (now deleted). Thank you, sir!