Tom Wright working away in Bishop Auckland Palace

Here below (see the link) is an interesting but all too brief interview of Tom Wright as he talks about his forthcoming book on “Justification” (apparently out in May by IVP on this side of the water). What Tom is stressing is that final justification when the Christian stands before the judgment seat of Christ, does indeed involve the review of our moral actions inspired and empowered by the Spirit as well as our immoral acts as well. This contrasts with initial justification which is by grace and through faith. In addition he argues that Paul does not suggest that Christ’s moral righteousness is imputed to the believer. Rather initial justification has to do with forensic or legal right standing with God, not the imputation of Christ’s moral righteousness to the believer. I think Tom is 100% correct in this assessment, and I also agree that the whole discussion needs to be read more closely in light of the early Jewish context, not the much later Reformed systematic context. See what you think.

BW3

http://trevinwax.com/2009/01/13/interview-with-nt-wright-responding-to-piper-on-justification/