Jun 30, 2009
Piper & Wright: the new perspective on Paul debate
Over the past few years John Piper and N. T. Wright have become the figureheads in the growing debate called the ‘new perspective on Paul’. Christianity today has helpfully published a pdf document that summarises the major differences between Piper and what many would call the traditional reformed perspective and N.T Wright and the New perspective. I would really encourage you to have a read and think about the issues raised in this document, because both of these figures are ‘heavy weights’ in the theological world and the issues that they are discussing are not small or insignificant!
Thanks for the pdf link. Nice summary. I haven’t read Piper’s book yet. Thoroughly enjoyed Wright’s when I read that. Fascinating debate!
What do you say about it Adam, would love to read your thoughts?
To me the issue is more that we (Christian world we) seem to feel the need to polarise debates such as this and build walls not bridges. Is there really a right and wrong answer, are we as humans capable of find it if there is? I don’t see any issues raised in the document just views and opinions, each having some weight and each being in their own way right and wrong.
Theologically speaking I see it that Pipers perspective is ‘reformed’ and Wrights is ‘reforming’ ie a continual process and I think this has put a few of the reformed guys noses out of joint of late, but equally I could be wrong on that point
It seems that N.T. Wright has not read “Let the Nations be Glad” or “Future Grace” or the book of Thomas Scheiner on Paul. The Abrahamic Covenant is central in John Piper’s theology and he believes the Gospel was given to Abraham. This is not the point of discussion but the what is at the center. What are the good news? The “in You” means “in Jesus” through justification by faith alone (asI clearly see in Paul in Romans 4:21-15, or is the “all nations” the good news giving to Gentiles what was already the Jews? Wright seems to believe the later.
Andres | Oct 28, 2009