Justification: A Guide for the Perplexed

The core of the book is an historical survey of the doctrine of justification as it has developed within the Western church - a somewhat simplified version of McGrath's Justitia Dei, but with a more outspoken assessment of the various moves that are taken at various stages in the discussion. Attention will is paid to the context or prevailing world view in which such a doctrine is deemed significant. Although the focus is on a number of principal theologians there are some reference to their peers or followers. Only at the end the Pauline texts are examined. The conclusion considers what part a doctrine of justification can have within a modern worldview in which the concept of divine judgement has generally been marginalised.

Alan J. Spence has been a teacher in Harare, an evangelist in the South African township, a human rights advocate in Zimbabwe and Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Southern Africa. His is now minister in the United Reformed Church serving Abington Avenue URC in Northampton, UK.