JETS 52/2 (June 2009) 323–39
JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, JUDGED ACCORDING TO WORKS: ANOTHER LOOK AT A PAULINE PARADOX dane c. ortlund* Nigel Watson articulates in blunt terms the perennial friction between the twin Pauline themes of justification by faith and judgment according to works: “either justification is emptied of its meaning or judgment by works is rendered harmless.” 1 The challenge is how to fully and impartially affirm both Pauline teachings. For understandable (and at times necessary) reasons, the Protestant branch of the church has conscientiously shone its theological spotlight on justification by faith while, in light of perceived Roman imbalances, begrudgingly putting up with the prodigal son of judgment according to deeds. Yet unless Protestantism is prepared to domesticate the judgment motif to the point of signifying little more than “the seriousness of the moral struggle in the Christian life,” 2 we must continue to grapple with this thorny issue—lest we promote either presumptuousness (neglecting the judgment/ works motif) or equally dangerous moralism (neglecting the justification/ faith motif). The tension is neither new nor limited to the rarified air of esoteric academia. 3 This essay, moreover, does not proceed under the illusion that the light of consensus can be seen at the end of the scholarly tunnel. Still less does it attempt an exhaustive analysis of this “jungle full of traps and temptations.” 4 It does attempt, however, to create a taxonomy of ways in which scholars reconcile justification by faith and judgment according to works in Paul before suggesting a way forward in light of a few neglected factors in the discussion. In this way we hope to spur on a discussion which “has still a long way to run.” 5 * Dane Ortlund is a Ph.D. student at Wheaton College and resides at 1008 Webster Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187. 1 Nigel M. Watson, “Justified by Faith, Judged by Works—An Antinomy?” NTS 29 (1983) 217. The statement comes in an explication of the thought of Wilfried Joest (see below). 2 Alan Richardson, An Introduction to the Theology of the New Testament (New York: Harper, 1958) 342; similarly Michael J. Gorman, Reading Paul (Eugene, OR: Cascade, 2008) 171. 3 On the latter, witness the intense sallies exchanged a generation ago between John MacArthur (The Gospel according to Jesus: What Does Jesus Mean When He Says, “Follow Me”? [Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1988]) and Zane Hodges (Absolutely Free! A Biblical Reply to Lordship Salvation [Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1989]; idem, The Gospel Under Siege: A Study on Faith and Works [2d ed.; Dallas: Rendención Viva, 1991]). 4 Michael Bird, The Saving Righteousness of God: Studies on Paul, Justification, and the New Perspective (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2007) 172. 5 James D. G. Dunn, The New Perspective on Paul (rev. ed.; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2008) 97.
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