whatever you do.

From page 46 of Exploring Protestant Traditions… “Historically, Lutheran interpreters have viewed the unity of the Bible ‘from a Pauline perspective, regarding Paul’s exposition of justification as the most profound theological reading of the gospel.’ ”

This isn’t really unique to Lutheranism, but my question is around the idea that Paul’s doctrine of justification is “the doctrine by which the church stand or falls.” (p. 47) I have no problem with Paul’s emphasis on the doctrine of justification by faith, nor the Lutheran re-emphasis, but what I do have a problem with is how it seems to push the life and teaching of Jesus into a Christian footnote. What authority does the earthly teaching and ministry of Jesus hold when it seems to be subservient to what is deemed the most glorious work of scripture – the doctrinal work of Paul? How can we hold the ministry of Jesus and his gospel of the Kingdom of God in a rightful relationship with Paul’s doctrine of justification by faith? What comes first? Should we not interpret Paul’s doctrine in light of Jesus’ gospel? It just seems that have often reversed this.

I assume it is this question among others that will be discussed at the upcoming Reclaiming Paul Conference. If anyone has an extra plane ticket to Kansas City I would love to snatch it up!

Tags: justification, gospel, protestant, christian, tradition, paul

This entry was posted on Sunday, September 14th, 2008 at 4:51 pm and is filed under Christianity, Conversation, Jesus, Kingdom, Reading, Thoughts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.