If we have courtroom imagery, and any kind of stand-in representative for the defendants, then there is no way for the thing to work without imputation. Wright confuses things enormously when he rejects the idea that righteousness can float across the courtroom from the judge to the defendant. Of course it cannot, and defenders of …
That Glorious Word Imputation
Thanks to everyone for the good discussion in the previous Wright post. This will be an attempt to clean up a few details there (due no doubt to my infelicities of expression), and so my review of the next chapter will have to wait. I believe that some of our difficulty here is semantics. I …
The Seat of God’s Image
Book1/Chapter 15 The Image of God (section 1) 1. To what truth about knowledge does Calvin return in this section? 2. What two aspects of himself must man know in order to know God rightly? 3. What happens if men blame their failings on nature? Division of body and soul (section 2) 1. What does …
So Bildad is a Skunk
The third chapter is on the context of first-century Judaism, and the necessity of understanding Paul in his context. As is so often the case, I enthusiastically endorse Wright’s points, and am mystified by his applications. I particularly appreciated his contrast of historic Lutheranism, with due apologies to my Lutheran friends, and historic Calvinism. I …
Remember that Paul Hops from Foot to Foot
Chapter two is a helpful and revealing chapter called rules of engagement. Much of what Wright says here is prudent and wise, and it is clear that he and Piper are not really disagreeing at those points, but rather just leaning against one another — trying to guard against abuse in the opposite direction. A …
A Magnificent Theater
Book 1/Chapter 14 Victory (section 18) 1. What impact do the devils have on believers? 2. On unbelievers? 3. Can believers ever be utterly thrown down by the devil? 4. What is the nature of the reciprocity between Christ’s kingdom and the devil’s? Devils are Real (section 19) 1. What do angels and devils have …
Festooned With Ribbons
Wright begins chapter one by telling a parable against his interlocuters, acknowledging that to do so might be dicey. “Now I can well imagine that, as with the Pharisees listening to Jesus’ Parable of the Wicked Tenants, there may be some readers who will at once be angry, realizing that I have told this story …
The Devil’s Armies
Book 1/Chapter 14 The Realm of Wickedness (section 14) 1. Why should we not yield to idleness? 2. How great are the forces against us? The Ongoing War (section 15) 1. What is the status of our relationship to the devil? 2. What does Calvin mean by “consummate depravity”? The Devil Originally Good (section 16) …
The Hinge Upon Which All Turns
In this book, N.T. Wright hopes to accomplish an “outflanking” maneuver (p. vii) in order to make much of the ongoing controversy over Paul irrelevant. And that is a great idea, if he can pull it off. Outflanking, when it works, can result in a decisive settlement. Outflanking, when it does not work, can be …
Angelic Help
Book 1/Chapter 14 More About Angels (section 8) 1. What does Calvin think about sketching detailed hierarchies for the angels? Why? 2. How many angels are there? 3. What sort of body do angels have? 4. What must we be careful not to do in discussing this subject? Angels As Real Creatures (section 9) …