unpacking justification

In this series I describe my understanding of Paul's teaching on justification. This is certainly a "working hypothesis," a reconstruction based on my understanding of the relevant Pauline texts within their broader historical and conceptual contexts, an understanding which is inevitably limited by the constraints of my own reading and research to this point and thus subject to constant self-critique as that understanding changes and expands. I don't comprehensively cite references along the way - this is not an academic paper, after all - but I do try to reference enough of the primary sources to substantiate specific points, and readers who are familiar with the primary and secondary literature will surely hear echoes of that literature throughout. Readers are encouraged to read this series in light of these things, to read each post in light of the whole series, to take this proposal and "try it on for size" to see if it indeed makes good sense of Paul's statements within their context.

Toward an Initial Description:

• The Terminology of Justification
• The Covenantal Dimension of Justification
• An Initial Description of Paul's Teaching on Justification

Some Further Observations:

• The Reality of Integrated Covenantalism
• The Mechanics of Representation and Substitution
• The Problem of God's Hidden Righteousness
• The Matter of Gentile Inclusion
  

Toward an Expanded Description:

• The Broader Dimensions of Justification
• An Expanded Description of Paul's Teaching on Justification
  

Some Further Questions:

• The Problem with Torah-Righteousness and the Solution of Christ-Righteousness
• First Century Jewish "Soteriology" and "Works-Righteousness"
• The Doctrine of "Imputation"
• Judgment of Believers according to Works
• Justification and the Gospel

A Concluding Summary

Note: This series is also available as a single PDF file here.