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Incorporation ‘in Christ’ and Justification


This post was published on Tuesday 17 February 2009.

I am currently reading Tom Wright’s latest book, Justification: God’s plan and Paul’s vision.   I am about a fifth of the way through, and so far it is typical Wright: engaging, well-written and thought-provoking.

The back cover quotes someone as saying that he ‘out-Reforms’ the popular ‘neo-Reformed’ writers in America.   Wright’s starting position is that we should not privilege tradition over Scripture - even the Reformed tradition.   He critiques contemporary evangelicalism for failing to be critical enough of its own tradition in the light of Scripture.

One of the areas he highlights as particularly lacking, is that of ‘incorporation’.   This is one of Paul’s main themes (just count how many times he uses the phrase ‘in Christ’, let alone the number of times he relies on the concept) yet it is one of the least developed in contemporary evangelical theology (argues Wright).

I would agree with him whole-heartedly.   He says that incorporation (among others) is one of the main themes, of which the evangelical definition of justification is a part.   His book is therefore making explicit his position, attempting to look at what Paul actually said, rather than what the Reformed tradition says he said.

This is a bold move, but if there is anyone who can pull it off, it’s Tom Wright.   Methodologically, he’s spot on.   It has been one of my constant frustrations that there is an implicit ‘correct’ and ‘sound’ interpretation and understanding of the New Testament, far beyond the basic and fundamental non-negotiables of the Christian faith (e.g. Jesus’ resurrection) - especially when this ‘correct’ interpretation (in my view) ignores the Old Testament, or treats it simply as the backdrop, rather than as the way of understanding what Paul is really talking about.

I am looking forward to reading the rest of Wright’s book - and will no doubt post a full review when I’m done.