Justification by Grace through Faith: Finding Freedom from Legalism, Lawlessness, Pride, and Despair (Explorations in Biblical Theology)

by Brian J. Vickers

Publisher:

P&R

, 2013

Overview

In this volume, Brian Vickers argues that justification is God’s declaration that sinners are made right with him through faith in Christ—whose life, death, and resurrection provide forgiveness and the righteousness God desires for his people. Vickers traces how the doctrine unfolds in Scripture, showing that in Christ, God provides everything needed for sinners to be made right with him. Upholding the practical impact of this doctrine, he argues that a biblical understanding of justification will combat legalism, lawlessness, pride, and despair.

Key Features

• Explores the idea of justification in Christ as a tool of faith and encouragement
• Features questions for study and reflection
• Includes a list of resources for further study on justification

Contents

• The Legacy of Adam
• The Obedient Second and Last Adam
• Not by Sight: Abraham and the Righteousness of Faith
• Abraham: Our Father according to the Faith
• The Law: Things by Which You Cannot Be Justified
• God’s Righteousness and Ours
• Faith Works: The Life of the Justified
• Freedom: Justification Applied
• Conclusion: The Biblical, Central, and Practical Doctrine of Justification

Top Highlights

“Justification is not the whole of salvation or of the gospel, but it provides what is necessary to make us right with God and reorients us toward God’s ultimate goal in creation and salvation of having a people who trust him and, as a result of that trust, obey him from the heart. The goal for which God created us is reached only through sinners’ being justified, forgiven, and counted righteous in Christ—all by grace through faith. Justification by faith is not the whole of the gospel, but there is no gospel without justification by faith.” (Pages 2–3)

“It is no exaggeration to say that every sin begins with a refusal to accept this truth about ourselves. Whether we acknowledge it or not, we are creatures and not the Creator. Contrary to what we so often seem to want to believe, we are not independent, autonomous beings. We are creatures, created in the image of God. In other words, our life is, from the beginning, not strictly our own.” (Page 12)

“There are many ways to describe salvation through Christ, but no description is complete unless it stresses this one thing: that help and hope, forgiveness and righteousness, and freedom and assurance are found only by turning away from ourselves to believe in Christ’s all-sufficient work.” (Page 2)

“We are created beings made to be absolutely dependent on God. This is how we were designed.” (Page 12)

“Only by grasping God’s justifying word can they turn to the accuser and say to the voices in their heads, ‘Yes, I am an ungodly sinner, but Christ lived, died, and rose for me, and now I am washed, sanctified, and justified in him—that is what God says, and he always speaks the truth.’” (Pages 188–189)

Endorsements

With breathtaking scope Vickers traces Christ’s imputed righteousness from the pages of Genesis all the way to Paul and James.

—A. Andrew Das, Donald W. and Betty J. Buik Chair and Professor of Religious Studies, Elmhurst College, Elmhurst, IL

Vickers’ new work is to be warmly welcomed. Here we find a clear and accessible and—most importantly—biblical restatement of what the Scriptures teach about justification.

—Thomas R. Schreiner, James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky

Product Details

• Title: Justification by Grace through Faith: Finding Freedom from Legalism, Lawlessness, Pride, and Despair
• Author: Brian J. Vickers
• Series: Explorations in Biblical Theology
• Publisher: P&R
• Print Publication Date: 2013
• Logos Release Date: 2016
• Pages: 240
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Justification (Christian theology); Grace (Theology)
• ISBNs: 9781596380509, 9781596385719, 9781596385726, 1596380500, 1596385715, 1596385723
• Resource ID: LLS:JSTFCTNGRC
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T00:59:02Z

About Brian J. Vickers

Brian J. Vickers has served as a Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is active in leading short-term mission trips, teaching overseas, and has written religious books and articles.