The Gospel of Free Acceptance in Christ: An Assessment of the Reformation and the New Perspective on Paul Venema, Cornelis P. cover image

Product Details
  • Cover Type:
  • 352 Pages
  • Publisher: Banner of Truth
  • Publication Date: November 2006
  • ISBN: SVENEMCOPGOSPELOFFREEACCEPTAN9780851519395

The Gospel of Free Acceptance in Christ: An Assessment of the Reformation and the New Perspective on Paul

Venema, Cornelis P.

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$25.20
$28.00 MSRP

Recent decades have seen a renewal of interest in the central message of the Christian gospel among contemporary New Testament scholars. ‘New perspectives’ on Paul’s doctrine of justification have emerged and are being offered to the church.

This book has been written out of the conviction that Protestant churches need to reacquaint themselves with their rich doctrinal heritage, particularly their understanding of the gospel- the good news of free acceptance with God on the basis of Christ’s redeeming work. Before abandoning the ‘older perspective’ on Paul in favour of the new, evangelical Christians need to understand exactly what it is they are being asked to abandon.

Furthermore, evangelicals must take a careful look at the claims of those who propose a newer and ostensibly ‘better’ reading of the apostle’s letters. The newer perspective on Paul makes bold claims for itself, some of which may be rather appealing in an age that favors change and has grown weary with the battle lines of ancient and bitter debates. The newer perspective on Paul demands careful study and assessment, for at stake is nothing less than the gospel itself.

In this study the reader will find: 

  • A summary of the older perspective of the Reformation (which understood justification to be the gospel’s declaration that sinners are acceptable to God by the grace of Christ alone)
  • A general introduction to what is known as the ‘new perspective’ on Paul
  • A critical assessment of new perspective claims from both a biblical and a theological standpoint.

About the Author

Cornelis P. Venema is President and Professor of Doctrinal Studies at Mid-America Reformed Seminary, Dyer, Indiana. He also serves as an Associate Pastor at Redeemer United Reformed Church in Dyer, and is co-editor of the Mid-America Journal of Theology and contributing editor of a column on doctrine for the monthly periodical The Outlook.

Educated at Dordt College, Iowa (BA, 1975), and Calvin Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan (BD, 1978), Venema received his Ph.D. in 1985 from Princeton Theological Seminary for his work on The Twofold Nature of the Gospel in Calvin’s Theology. While studying at Princeton from 1979 to 1981, he was a Teaching Fellow in the Department of Theology. He served as pastor of the Christian Reformed Church of Ontario, California, for six years and in South Holland, Illinois before going to Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Cornelis Venema is married to Nancy, and they have four children.

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Recent decades have seen a renewal of interest in the central message of the Christian gospel among contemporary New Testament scholars. ‘New perspectives’ on Paul’s doctrine of justification have emerged and are being offered to the church.

This book has been written out of the conviction that Protestant churches need to reacquaint themselves with their rich doctrinal heritage, particularly their understanding of the gospel- the good news of free acceptance with God on the basis of Christ’s redeeming work. Before abandoning the ‘older perspective’ on Paul in favour of the new, evangelical Christians need to understand exactly what it is they are being asked to abandon.

Furthermore, evangelicals must take a careful look at the claims of those who propose a newer and ostensibly ‘better’ reading of the apostle’s letters. The newer perspective on Paul makes bold claims for itself, some of which may be rather appealing in an age that favors change and has grown weary with the battle lines of ancient and bitter debates. The newer perspective on Paul demands careful study and assessment, for at stake is nothing less than the gospel itself.

In this study the reader will find: 

  • A summary of the older perspective of the Reformation (which understood justification to be the gospel’s declaration that sinners are acceptable to God by the grace of Christ alone)
  • A general introduction to what is known as the ‘new perspective’ on Paul
  • A critical assessment of new perspective claims from both a biblical and a theological standpoint.

About the Author

Cornelis P. Venema is President and Professor of Doctrinal Studies at Mid-America Reformed Seminary, Dyer, Indiana. He also serves as an Associate Pastor at Redeemer United Reformed Church in Dyer, and is co-editor of the Mid-America Journal of Theology and contributing editor of a column on doctrine for the monthly periodical The Outlook.

Educated at Dordt College, Iowa (BA, 1975), and Calvin Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan (BD, 1978), Venema received his Ph.D. in 1985 from Princeton Theological Seminary for his work on The Twofold Nature of the Gospel in Calvin’s Theology. While studying at Princeton from 1979 to 1981, he was a Teaching Fellow in the Department of Theology. He served as pastor of the Christian Reformed Church of Ontario, California, for six years and in South Holland, Illinois before going to Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Cornelis Venema is married to Nancy, and they have four children.

  • Cover Type:
  • 352 Pages
  • Publisher: Banner of Truth
  • Publication Date: November 2006
  • ISBN: SVENEMCOPGOSPELOFFREEACCEPTAN9780851519395