Endorsement

One of the things that distinguishes James Buchanan's book on 'The Doctrine Of Justification' is that he gives an historical overview of the doctrine(at least up until the book was first published in the latter part of the 19th century)from the Bible and throughout the history of the Church.For example he contrasts the Church of Rome's view before the Reformation and post Reformation.There was a significant shift on the Roman Church's teaching on Justification after the Reformation.One of the reasons for the shift was because of the loss of many adherents due to the Reformation's impact.The enormous influence that the Church Of Rome exerted prior to the Reformation was severely marginalized subsequent to it.The author notes p.51 "Many attempts have been made to try and reconcile the Protestant(Reformation)view of Justification and Roman Catholic views." The editor of this abridged version 'Not Guilty' footnotes that many more attempts have been made to reconcile these two views since Buchanan's book was first published in 1867.

One group was formed, 'The Alliance Of Confessing Evangelicals', in order to defend the 'Sola's' of the Protestant Reformation.They've published some very helpful booklets since 1999 such as-R.C.Sproul's, 'Justified By Faith Alone',J.M.Boice's 'What Is An Evangelical',Phillip G.Ryken's 'Is Jesus The Only Way' and Sinclair Ferguson's 'The Grace Of Repentance'.

The author gives many precise insights on Justification as it relates to:God's Law,Grace,Human effort,Faith and The Work Of The Holy Spirit.In distinguishing grace and how it relates to Justification he writes p.83" We must not think of God's grace to us as one of the things procured by the redemptive work of Christ.Rather,the redemptive work of Christ flows out of God's grace to us."

He makes an important point that needs to be emphasized in 'The Antinomian Climate' which is so widespread in our day,that being that justification by grace through faith does not negate the necessity of good works(fruitful lives that are lived for God's glory)as an evidence that we have been justified.However,those good works are not the basis of our justification(it is the perfect obedience to God's law and laying down his life as a substitute that provides the ground of our justification.

James Buchanan's 'Doctrine Of Justification' is without a doubt one of the outstanding works on this doctrine.This fine abridgment hopefully will make this valued book accessible to a much wider readership.