The Saving Righteousness of God: Studies on Paul, Justification and the New Perspective

by Michael F. Bird

This book presents a series of studies on contentious aspects of Paul's doctrine of justification including the meaning of "righteousness," the question of imputation, the role of resurrection in justification, an evaluation of the New Perspective, the soteriological and ecclesiological significance of justification, justification by faith with judgment according to works, and debates over the orthodoxy of N. T. Wright. The burden of this volume is to demonstrate that reformed and "new" readings of Paul are indispensable to attaining a full understanding of Paul's soteriology. An analysis of Galatians and Romans demonstrates that the covenantal and forensic dimensions of justification go hand in glove. The vertical and horizontal aspects need to be appropriately described and weighted in order to provide a holistic rendering of justification in Paul's letters. According to Paul, faith alone in Jesus Christ is the instrument of eschatological vindication; and faith alone marks out the true people of God.

Genres: Theology, Biblical Studies

266 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2005

About the author

Dr. Michael Bird (Ph.D University of Queensland) is Lecturer in Theology at Ridley Melbourne College of Mission and Ministry. He is the author of several books including Jesus and the Origins of the Gentile Mission (2006), The Saving Righteousness of God (2007), A Bird’s-Eye View of Paul (2008), Colossians and Philemon (2009), Crossing Over Sea and Land: Jewish Missionary Activity in the Second Temple Period (2009), and Are You the One Who is to Come? The Historical Jesus and the Messianic Question (2009).

Reviews

[Neil Kruger · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 'Saving Righteousness of God' by Michael Bird is an attempt to maintain the emphasis of a forensic understanding of justification (promoted in traditional Reformed theology) supplemented by and understanding of how justification is emphasized in the text as the definition of who the people of God are (promoted by the New Perspective on Paul). Along the way you may think that Bird is on a scholarly peacekeeping mission, as he breaks down polemical barriers between the various camps. Ultimately, this work probably won't satisfy all comers, but Bird does an excellent job of providing an exegetically responsible synthesis by taking the best of what the 'traditional reading' and the 'New Perspective on Paul' has to offer.

Many of the disputed passages are discussed and treated well, with a charitable attitude toward those he disagrees with. Beyond the related content this served as an example of how to engage with those who have orthodox beliefs, but yet have some quite significant differences on some very important paradigm-defining issues. A section is also dedicated to defending NT Wright's orthodoxy - you can find much in his work helpful without embracing the whole framework (and without calling him a heretic). Bird himself as some serious disagreements with Wright.

Mostly this book helped me to reflect on a plethora of biblical passages and themes. Some of the main highlights were:
- The importance of the resurrection for our justification - a theology of justification that focuses solely on the cross is deficient
- The importance of union with/in Christ for our justification - in Christ you share in His vindication and you are therefore justified
- Incorporated righteousness is a more explicitly exegetically sound biblical model than imputed righteousness - union with Christ makes imputed righteousness redundant (though it is still a valid category for reflection in systematic theology) *This may be a place where the 'Reformed' start tearing pages, but I would encourage the reader to follow the biblical argumentation and reserve judgement based on a predisposed theological system
- The relationship between faith, works and the final judgement - how our future verdict has been brought into the present (for those who have faith in Christ) and how true faith results in obedience

All-in-all the reader should walk away from this book with a more comprehensive understanding of what the 'righteousness of God' is. It is in itself much more than moral obedience. The righteousness of God is God's saving righteousness which encompasses the forgiveness of sins, God's covenant faithfulness, God's declaration of the believer as righteous and the fulfillment of God's promises.

I concur - God is in the right by justifying those who have faith in Christ apart from works of the law, whether it be a Jew or a Gentile.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am giving this book three stars. In terms of his work as a scholar and his fair treatment of other scholars around the issue of justification, I could give 4 or 5 stars.

Of course I bump into the same problem I do with many theologians. Theologians, with great certainty, affix to what happenes when Jesus dies on the cross: categories like 'forensic,' 'justification not salvation,' 'legal status not imputed rightousness,' and 'individual not corporate.' All these categories are metaphor. What actually happens in Jesus' act to save us from sin and death is beyond words and I just wish scholars would start off acknowledging this.

That said, Bird is very fair and thorough.

On readability, I could give only 1 or 2 stars. It is not a long book, but it is ideologically thick. It is dense. And I don't think this is Bird's fault. His sentences are fine. But the topic is an intricate one and in order to be thorough, which he is, he has to get into the weeds.

If you're very interested in studying what theologians mean by the Biblical concepts of salvation and justification and sanctification, this is a good book. If that doesn't interest you, neither will this book.

[Russell Matherly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very solid read. Bird moves at a fair pace through an unnecessary cluttered path. His emphases are a helpful critique of much modern Reformed scholarship and popular teaching. His critique of the NPP is equally as strong, and (unlike many other critics of the NPP), Bird does a good job citing the subjects of his criticism. I especially loved the chapter re-centetering resurrection at the heart of justification. A very helpful read for anyone trying to wrap their heads around Pauline scholarship in the 21st century.

[Michael Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best work on Paul I have ever read. Bird is an incredible thinker, theologian, and exegete. Anyone seeking to understand Paul, the law, justification, union with Christ, and how to understand the post-new perspective scholarship we are in should read this work. I think Bird has found a way forward that is faithful to the Lord, the gospel, Paul, and the positive emphasis of both old/traditional readings of Paul and the New Perspective. LOVED IT!

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though I do not necessarily agree with everything Bird writes in this book (very seldom read books that I agree 100% with), nevertheless, I thought this was a fantastic work. Bird is careful with biblical texts, conversant and familiar with a variety of theological traditions, irenic and considerate towards those with whom he disagress, and careful to state his proposals and his criticisms in clear and understandable ways (for the most part). Together with Westerholm, these are two of the best books I've read that are sympathetically critical of the New Perspective(s) on Paul.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Bird is a professor at Highland Theological College in Scotland. Even though he describes himself as a "card-carrying Calvinist," Bird should be applauded for his integrity with Scripture. Bird has been interested in Pauline theology for decades and looks specifically at soteriology in this project. Observing how Paul understands righteousness and particularly the righteousness of God (Cf. Rom 1:17) makes up the bulk of this work. Although it may be found tedious by those new to Pauline scholarship, the quality of Bird's study has a high value.

[Robert Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bird is the representative of a new middle-ground between the NPP and confessional presbyterianism. As such, he takes the best of both worlds. This is my new position. If you find N.T. Wright a compelling speaker and writer, don't think you need to jettison Reformed Orthodoxy. Bird shows how the NPP (and grumpy Presbyterians) put forward a false excluded middle. Both are compatible in a majority of places.

[M. J. Denning · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting but highly technical read targeted at an academic audience. It's a great introduction to the 'New Perspective on Paul" and the scholarship of N.T. Wright. The author advocates for a mediating position with criticism and praise for different parts of the argument on both sides. An accessible summery of the debate can be found here:http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2...

[Wayne Larson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Bird is hands down the best person to steer you through the NPP debate. His sympathetic/critical approach yields brilliant insights. Avoid the fan-boys and the shrill detractors and read this book.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scholarship of the highest caliber, I could read Bird all day.