The Gospel Of Justification In Christ: Where Does The Church Stand Today?

On 31 October 1999, exactly 482 years after Martin Luther nailed his ninety-five theses to the church door in Wittenberg, the Roman Catholic Church and the Lutheran World Federation signed a historic joint declaration on the doctrine of justification. Recent agreements between Lutheran, Reformed, and Episcopal churches have expressed similar commitments. But what do these agreements mean for churches today?

Persuaded that the "doctrine" of justification is also "gospel" -- the good news of life in Christ -- the contributors to "The Gospel of Justification in Christ," from both Catholic and Protestant traditions, explore this crucial doctrine, addressing such topics as the unity of the church, justification's relation to social justice, and its significance for interfaith dialogue.

Contributors: Gary J. Dorrien
Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J.
Gabriel Fackre
George Hunsinger
Paul Varo Martinson
Margaret O'Gara
Steven D. Paulson
Michael Root
Caroline J. Simon
Katherine Sonderegger
Wayne C. Stumme
Michael E. Tassler

On 31 October, 1999, exactly four hundred and eighty-two years after Martin Luther nailed his ninety-five theses to the church door in Wittenberg, the Roman Catholic Church and the Worldwide Lutheran Federation signed a historic joint declaration on the doctrine of justification. Recent agreements between Lutheran, Reformed, and Episcopalian churches have also expressed a shared commitment the doctrine of God's grace in Christ. But what does it mean for churches today?

Persuaded that the "doctrine" of justification is also "gospel" -- the good news of life in Christ -- the contributors to "The Gospel of Justification in Christ" engage broadly with this crucial doctrine, addressing such topics as the unity of the Church, justification's relation to social justice, and its significance for interfaith dialogue.