Criticism of Paul's Justification by Faith: New Perspective on Paul

1
Justification of Faith

2
Introduction
According to the Christian theology, the term ‘Justification’ can be understood as the act of
God through which the guilt and penalty of a sin is removed and on the same hand making
the person who committed the sin is turned righteous through the sacrifices made by
Christ. The Paul’s Doctrine of Justification of Faith Alone was considered as the main point
of controversy in the Protestant Reformation at the beginning of 1500s and it has also been
identified that rediscovery of this doctrine had led to reformation. The Protestant writers also
believe that justification of faith was discovered by the reformers. This also means that the
important principles of justification of faith explained and developed by Paul about the truth
of salvation have been misunderstood or overlooked.
Another controversy is that a substantial criticism has been raised against the Pauline
Doctrine of justification, mainly by the New Testament scholars, such as “E. P. Sanders,
Krister Stendahl and James D. G. Dunn”1. This criticism has been called as the New
Perspective on Paul, which comprises of the general set of the opinions, which have gained
significant support and credibility in the New Testament studies over the period of last 30
years. The new perspective have significantly criticized the Pauline theology. Therefore, this
essay will discuss the what is the new perspective and what aspects of traditional
understanding of justification by faith have been criticized by the New Perspective and how
this criticism can be evaluated.
Paul’s Justification by Faith
The Paul’s justification by faith is based on the traditional religious belief of salvation
according to which God speaks to his people through biblical writings. Justification is an
important term which is not just an important Paulin concept, but also considered as a
significant theme of bible. According to the studies, Paul’s ‘doctrine of justification’
emphasis on the earlier ‘doctrine’ also called as the Pre-Pauline Christians, which have also
been central to the Jewish scriptures2. Scholars have identified that justification in the Old
Testament appears as the forensic concept, which is based on the ‘final judgement’. Paul’s
justification by faith informs that people are judged on the through their deeds. Another
1 Sanders, E.P. , Paul and Palestinian Judaism, (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1977)
2 Stuhlmacher, Peter, Revisiting Paul's Doctrine of Justification: A Challenge to the New Perspective,
(InterVarsity Press, 2012).

3
important term that is frequently found in Paul’s doctrine is “God’s righteousness,”, which
refers to the God’s creative act of salvation3.
Paul’s justification by faith has also been elaborated by the reformers, such as Luther has
explained that righteousness from God is attributed to the sinners through their faith alone.
Justification which was mainly developed by Paul, has been an important theme in the
epistles to the Romans and to the Galatians. Paul has developed justification in Romans, by
stating that God wrath at sin, therefore, justification has been presented as the only solution
for God’s wrath (Romans 3:21-26, Romans 5:1). Paul states that one could only be justified
by their faith alone. Paul further explains sin and justification in the context of Adam and
Christ. Paul explains that sin came into the world that eventually led to death was through
Adam, while righteousness came through Christ, by bringing the justification unto life
(Romans 5:15-17).
What is New Perspective?
The New Perspective on Paul can be considered as the set of opinions, which have gained
significance over the period of last 30 years. New Perspective on Paul encompasses various
theological and historical fields, such as the Second Temple Judaism, Reformation,
soteriology, ecclesiology and many more4. The New Perspective on Paul focuses on
answering some big questions from the New Testament, which is done differently than the
traditional reformation understanding. For example, one question is that the message of Paul
on the grace by faith over against can work in righteousness? The reformers will answer this
question as ‘yes’, while the New Perspective on Paul will answer this question as ‘no’5.
Another question that could be differently answered by New Perspective on Paul and
Reformers will be that the concept of imputed righteousness can be considered as biblically
valid? Reformers will answer that this concept is biblically valid, while the New Perspective
that is focused on ‘legislative’ religion will inform that this concept is not Biblically valid6.
There have been some significant and prominent figures from the New Perspective on Paul
such as Don Garlington, Michael Bird, Krister Stendahl, Robert Gundry, and Bruce
3 Westerholm, Stephen, Perspectives old and new on Paul: the" Lutheran" Paul and his critics, (Wm. B.
Eerdmans Publishing, 2004).
4 Dunn, D. G., James, "The new perspective on Paul." HTS Theological Studies, issue 64, no. 4 (2008): 1956-
1958.
5 Wright, Nicholas Thomas, “The New Testament and the people of God”, Vol. 1. London: SPCK, 1992.
6 Williams, H. Daniel, "Justification by faith: a patristic doctrine," The Journal of Ecclesiastical History issues 57,
no. 4 (2006): 649-667.