A Pauline Theology of Justification

Book excerpt: Paul’s teaching about justification is always important for understanding the apostle and for Christian theology. And, for that same reason, it is always debated. James B. Prothro’s book looks at the apostle’s words about righteousness, faith, the Mosaic law, and life in Christ to connect the dots of Paul’s thought and to bring Paul into dialogue with major theological traditions. He offers an account of justification that is both forensic and thoroughly participatory, God’s gift of forgiveness, friendship, and new life in Christ through the Spirit.