Paul and the Order of Salvation
Richard B. Gaffin, Jr.
Copyright © 2006 Richard B. Gaffin, Jr.
First published 2006 by Paternoster Press
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A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN 1-84227-418-X
1. The Order of Salvation and the Theology of Paul
Paul as Theologian—Some Foundations
The problem of interpreting Paul
Biblical theology and systematic theology
2. The Order of Salvation and the “Center” of Paul’s Theology
The “Center” of Paul’s Theology
The Center of Paul’s Theology and the Order of Salvation
Justification in the order of salvation
3. The Order of Salvation and Eschatology—I
Eschatology and Sanctification
Union with Christ and the resurrection
Historical and theological reflections
4. The Order of Salvation and Eschatology—II
The perspective of the Westminster Standards
This book began as four lectures given for the annual School of Theology of Oak Hill Theological College, London, in May 2004, later expanded to five lectures given at the Seventh Annual Pastors Conference, sponsored by the session of the Auburn Avenue Presbyterian Church, Monroe, Louisiana, in January 2005. I take the opportunity here to express publicly my thanks for the warm hospitality I enjoyed on both occasions.
These lectures are presented here in four chapters, structured somewhat differently than when they were given, with a brief Epilogue added. Otherwise, I have kept to their scope and content, expanding, for the most part only slightly, at a number of places. This is in keeping with the purpose of the lectures, to highlight matters which, it seem to me, pastors and other teachers in the church, and, ...
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About By Faith, Not by Sight: Paul and the Order of SalvationThis study of Paul’s theology of salvation argues that appreciating the believer’s union with Christ is central for understanding Paul’s theology of salvation. How, according to the teachings of Paul, does the individual receive salvation? That is the focal question behind By Faith, Not By Sight. Against some recent scholars, Gaffin argues that it is both a meaningful and an appropriate question to ask. So what does the application of salvation to sinners involve for Paul? Does he distinguish between salvation accomplished (historia salutis) and salvation applied (ordo salutis) and, if so, how, and how important is the latter for him? And what exactly is the place of justification in his theology? Gaffin argues that, “[t]he central soteriological reality is union with the exalted Christ by Spirit-created faith. That is the nub, the essence, of the way or order of salvation for Paul. The center of Paul’s soteriology…is neither justification by faith nor sanctification, neither the imputation of Christ’s righteousness nor the renewing work of the Spirit. To draw that conclusion, however, is not to ‘de-center’ justification (or sanctification), as if justification is somehow less important for Paul than the Reformation claims. Justification is supremely important, it is absolutely crucial in Paul’s ‘gospel of salvation’ (cf. Eph. 1:13). Deny or distort his teaching on justification and that gospel ceases to be gospel; there is no longer saving ‘good news’ for sinners. But no matter how close justification is to the heart of Paul’s gospel, in our salvation, as he sees it, there is an antecedent consideration, a reality, that is deeper, more fundamental, more decisive, more crucial: Christ and our union with him, the crucified and resurrected, the exalted, Christ, Union with Christ by faith — that is the essence of Paul’s ordo salutis.” |
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