TH015-812 - The Doctrine of Justification and Pastoral Ministry

  • 2,976 Standard Tuition Fee
  • 12
    Credit Points
  • 0.125 EFT 
  • 8
    AQF level
  • Category advanced unit
    C
  • theologyUnit Discipline

Prerequisites

24cps TH/PC

Exclusions

Prior to 2020, this unit content was delivered under the unit code TH705-4.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

1. Demonstrate Advanced knowledge and understanding of, and the research underlying, the doctrine of justification by faith and its application in Christian ministry

B. Be able to

1. Examine recent scholarship on leading theological and practical issues associated with the doctrine of justification by faith

2. Demonstrate Advanced skill in utilising diverse scholarship in Identifying and applying the pastoral and practical implications of the doctrine of justification by faith

3. Present Research-Aware evidence-based perspectives on the doctrine of justification by faith and its application in Christian ministry

C. Be in a position to

Applying Advanced perspectives and skills from ‘The Doctrine of Justification and Pastoral Ministry’ to ministry practice and Christian living as a reflective practitioner

Content

1. The Biblical Doctrine of Justification by Faith: Exegesis of key texts and exploration of the relationship between such themes as: justification and salvation history, justification and the atonement, the nature of righteousness, the nature of faith, the nature of obedience, the place of the law, and the role of works in the final judgment.

2. The History of the Doctrine of Justification by Faith: Historical development of the doctrine of justification through the early Patristic authors, Augustine, the medieval period, Luther, Calvin, Cranmer, Westminster, Trent, Baxter, Wesley and Barth and ecumenical attempts at joint statements since 1990.

3. Contemporary Challenges and Current Questions: for example: the Lordship-Salvation controversy; the impact of the "Sanders revolution"; and the rise of the New Perspective(s) on Paul; the challenge of the Finnish Lutherans; the current debate over the imputation of Christ's righteousness.

4. Pastoral and Practical Implications of the doctrine of Justification by faith: on the Christian life (including prayer, holiness, worship and assurance) and Christian ministry (including the practice of preaching, the task of evangelism, the exercise of authority and the nature of counselling).

Set Readings

Recommended:

Allen, R.M., Justification and the Gospel: Understanding the Contexts and the Controversies. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2013.

Augustine, “The Spirit and the Letter,” in Augustine: Later Works (ed. John Burnaby). Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, p. 193-250.

Beilby, J.K. & Eddy, P.R. (eds.), Justification: Five Views. Downers Grove: IVP, 2011.

Calvin, J., Institutes of the Christian Religion (ed. J.T. McNeill; tr. L.F. Battles), Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1960, Book III.

Carson, D.A., O’Brien, P.T., & Seifrid, M.A. (eds.), Justification and Variegated Nomism: Volume 1 - The Complexities of Second Temple Judaism. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001.

Carson, D.A., O’Brien, P.T., & Seifrid, M.A. (eds.), Justification and Variegated Nomism: Volume 2 - The Paradoxes of Paul. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2004.

Chester, S.J., Reading Paul with the Reformers: Reconciling Old and New Perspectives. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2017.

Clark, R. Scott (ed.), Covenant, Justification, and Pastoral Ministry: Essays by the Westminster Seminary California. Phillipsburg: P&R Publishing, 2007.

Husbands, Mark & Treier, Daniel J (eds.), in Justification: What’s at Stake in the Current Debates. Downers Grove/Leicester: IVP/Apollos, 2004.

Johnson, G.L.W. & Waters, G.P. (eds.), By Faith Alone: Answering the Challenges to the Doctrine of Justification. Wheaton: Crossway, 2006.

Luther, M., “Preface to the Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans, 1522,” in Martin Luther: Selections from his Writings (ed. J. Dillenberger). New York: Anchor, 1961, pp. 19-34.

Luther, M., “Two Kinds of Righteousness, 1519,” in Martin Luther: Selections from his Writings (ed. J. Dillenberger). New York: Anchor, 1961, pp. 86-96.

McCormack, B.L. (ed.), Justification in Perspective: Historical Developments and Contemporary Challenges. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2006.

McGrath, A. Iustitia Dei: A History of the Christian Doctrine of Justification. 4th ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2020.

Oden, T.C., The Justification Reader. Classic Christian Readers. Grand Rapids/Cambridge: Eerdmans, 2002.

Schreiner, Thomas R. Faith Alone: The Doctrine of Justification: What the Reformers Taught and Why It Still Matters. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2015.

Stanley, A.P. (ed.), Four Views on the Role of Works at the Final Judgment. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2013.

Westerholm, S., Justification Reconsidered: Rethinking A Pauline Theme. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2013.

Westerholm, S., Law and Ethics in Early Judaism and the New Testament. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2017.

Wright, N.T., Paul and the Faithfulness of God. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2013.