Abstract
Where have all the dogmatic theologians gone? The doctrine of justification has been the center of controversy for some time, but the debate has been dominated by biblical scholars, and systematic theologians have offered minimal contributions. For R. Michael Allen, this has resulted in dubious theological results. Thus, this book was written to bring some clarity to the debate via the voice of a theologian.
Rather than engaging in detailed exegesis of key texts, Allen seeks to situate the doctrine of justification within a larger dogmatic spectrum while at the same time centering the discussion on the gospel. In addition, Allen injects a healthy dose of historical theology into the discussion, offering fresh insights from past theological heavyweights. Allen defends a fundamentally “traditional” view of justification, but in a nuanced and thought-provoking manner.
Chapters 1 and 2 are foundational, placing justification within the context of Christian theology. Chapter 1 opens with Allen's definition of the gospel and then argues that a proper understanding of justification must begin with the doctrine of God. In discussing justification in the context of the gospel, Allen is careful to argue that though justification is essential to biblical soteriology, it is not to be equated with the gospel. Beginning with the doctrine of God aids in this nuancing of the importance of justification.
Chapter 2 discusses justification and participation. Some recent writers have attempted to play these two themes against one another. However, Allen argues that both are essential to an integrated understanding of salvation. He locates justification and participation as the “ground” and “goal” of the gospel and offers a historically oriented critique of some recent publications.
Chapters 3 and 4 address justification and Christology. First, Allen discusses the pistis Christou (“faith in” or “faith of” Christ) debate, arguing for the subjective translation (“faith of”) and demonstrating the importance of this position for rightly placing justification within the gospel message. This discussion builds on Allen's earlier work (The Christ's Faith: A Dogmatic Account, London: T&T Clark, 2009) and helpfully situates the debate with Trinitarian thought, arguing that the earthly life of Jesus reflects eternal intra-trinitarian relationships.
Next, Allen offers a dogmatic assessment of recent debates on the shape of Pauline theology. Here he engages the work of biblical scholars from the perspective of both systematic and historical theology, seeking to demonstrate that Luther's theology of righteousness and Reformed federal theology both offer coherent attempts to hold together various aspects of Pauline theology. Allen believes these systematic approaches would aid biblical scholars in drawing together the various biblical emphases that are often believed to be in tension, if not contradiction.
The final two chapters discuss justification and the Christian life. Chapter 5 examines the relationship between justification and sanctification, attempting to address the charge that the traditional understanding of justification leads to laxity in moral purity. Allen draws on biblical themes to demonstrate that a forensic view of justification focuses on the concept of freedom and therefore leads to obedience. Key to the argument is the statement “justification fuels sanctification” (143).
Finally, the book concludes with a discussion of the church. Allen holds that the church must be rightly understood in relation to other dogmatic concerns, specifically the doctrines of God, Christ, and last things. The doctrine of justification facilitates this inasmuch as it reveals the character of God, exegetes the work of Christ, and highlights the “pilgrim” nature of the church.
Allen has provided a great service to the church in the production of this book. Some readers would likely come to the book overwhelmed by the literature produced on the topic of justification, much of it written by and for biblical scholars. Allen has sought to bring a different perspective to the table and produced an accessible volume that provides theological context to a largely exegetical debate.
Though Allen is successful in what he attempts, a couple of shortcomings could be mentioned. First, it would have been helpful for Allen to define his terms early in the book. Much debate has centered on the meaning of key terms; yet Allen does not provide succinct definitions of “justification,” “the works of the law,” etc. To be sure, one understands his meaning by the end of the book, but clearly defining terms earlier would be beneficial.
Second, as a dogmatic theologian entering a primarily biblical-theological debate, one would have expected the author to engage the major publications. He does this to some extent, critiquing the work of Campbell, Michael Gorman, and others. Nevertheless, he omits engagement with one scholar who has been central to the debate—N. T. Wright. Wright is listed only once in the index (his work mentioned in passing on page 109). While one is certainly free to choose his dialogue partners, a book on justification can scarcely avoid Wright's voluminous contributions.
Despite these minor criticisms, Allen's book is to be recommended for anyone wanting to broaden their understanding of the justification debates, particularly as it relates to other dogmatic concerns. While readers will not agree with all of his conclusions, Allen has provided a lucid, concise, yet rich discussion. The lasting value of his work will likely be that it stimulates further systematic research.