Beyond Justification: Liberating Paul’s Gospel
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
Paul proclaims in 90 percent of what he wrote that we have been set free, resurrected, and transformed through Christ at the behest of a loving God. This gospel proclamation can be found wherever he speaks of being “in Christ.” But this gospel and its account of salvation has been captured by “another gospel,” which also lays claim to being Paul’s account of salvation. And this gospel is retributive, conditional, and ultimately damaging. “Justification Theory,” as we call this false account, lays claim to just under 10 percent of what Paul wrote. The presence of both these gospels within Paul’s interpretation causes numerous acute problems. He is, to name just a few, fundamentally confused, frequently harsh, and unavoidably anti-Jewish. If we reread Paul’s justification texts, however, paying more attention to the original historical circumstances within which they were composed, then they turn out to say something subtly but significantly different. Paul’s justification texts can be interpreted carefully, faithfully, and consistently, in terms of his usual gospel—our transformation in Christ. Thus Justification Theory is never activated. Paul’s true gospel is thereby liberated from its long captivity to a false alternative. We can now see a kinder, gentler, and more consistent, apostle.
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- Explores the “Justification Theory”.
- Analyzes Paul’s justification texts.
- Urges to see a kinder, gentler, and more consistent, apostle.
- Foreword by Brian Zahnd
- Acknowledgments
- Abbreviations
- Introduction
- 1. God’s Truth
- 2. God’s Love
- 3. God’s Salvation
- 4. Justification Theory: A Brief Description
- 5. Melanchthon’s Solution, and Its Central Dilemma
- 6. Three Further Problems
- 7. The Teaching of Contempt
- 8. A New Perspective on Jews—from E. P. Sanders
- 9. A New Perspective on Paul—from J. D. G. Dunn
- 10. A New Perspective on Paul—from N. T. Wright
- 11. Our Solution Begins
- 12. Understanding Romans Chapters 1 through 2
- 13. Understanding Romans Chapter 3
- 14. The Faith of Jesus
- 15. The Presence of Scripture
- 16. Abraham Is on My Side
- 17. Paul’s Great Statement of Faith
- 18. Understanding Romans 10
- Conclusion
- Appendix
- Bibliography
- Author Index
- Subject Index
- Scripture Index
There has never been a more complex and confusing idea in theology or biblical studies than justification by faith. And there has never been a scholar who has been more consistently helpful in thinking through this cardinal doctrine than Douglas Campbell. Campbell and DePue courageously intervene in troubled readings of Paul’s thought, which means they intervene in troubled readings of Christian life. This text rescues and restores a Christianity born in the freedom of God. I hope more people will see this beacon.
—Willie James Jennings, associate professor of systematic theology and Africana studies, Yale Divinity School
Every time I read a Douglas Campbell work on the apostle Paul’s gospel, I wonder if I have Paul wrong. Campbell’s apocalyptic gospel challenges not only the standard views, and the new perspective, and the Paul within Judaism perspectives, but it challenges even lines in Paul’s own writings. Whatever one thinks of the apocalyptic gospel as framed by Campbell and DePue, it is pastoral, it is filled with hope, and it is grounded entirely in a God who liberates humans utterly in Jesus Christ. You can disagree with them, but you cannot ignore them. If you ignore them, you will miss the glory of the gospel.
—Scot McKnight, professor of New Testament, Northern Seminary
A powerful argument for hearing Paul’s gospel apart from the theory of justification. It is exciting to engage with the authors’ fervor for a gospel about Spirit-enabled participation in Jesus’s death and resurrection, resulting in transformative, life-giving liberation from sin and death. Deep concern for Jewish people and the condition of the church, combined with scholarly skill executed with graciousness, make this essential reading. The book offers challenge and refreshment to both scholars and church communities.
—L. Ann Jervis, professor emerita of New Testament, Wycliffe College, University of Toronto
- Title: Beyond Justification: Liberating Paul’s Gospel
- Authors: Douglas A. Campbell, Jon DePue
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Print Publication Date: 2024
- Logos Release Date: 2025
- Pages: 322
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
- Subjects: Bible.—Epistles of Paul—Theology; Bible.—Epistles of Paul— Criticism, interpretation, etc; Justification (Christian theology)—Biblical teaching; Justification (Christian theology)—History of doctrines; Faith—Biblical teaching
- ISBNs: 9781532678981, 9781532679001, 1532678983, 1532679009, 9781532678998, 1532678991
- Resource ID: LLS:JSTFCTNLBRTGSPL
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2025-06-09T15:40:15Z