The doctrine of justification and the debates of the last half century, by David Starling.
David Starling lives in Sydney, Australia, with his wife Nicole and their four children, and teaches New Testament at Morling College. He worked as a high school English teacher before completing theological studies and serving as a pastor in Sydney’s inner-western suburbs. He is currently writing commentaries on Colossians, Ephesians and 1 Corinthians.
Ideas for further thought and discussion
1. We have often though of justification as the doctrine by which the church stands or falls. Is that what David is arguing for? Why/why not?
2. Tom Wright says “Paul’s doctrine [of justification] is more about ecclesiology than about soteriology.” Having read David’s article, how would you respond to that?
3. “How can I find mercy from God?” Is that just a sixteenth century question? From what you know of the New Testament, it a first century question? And is it a 21st century question? So what?
Primer 