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Another area where I believe the New Perspective on Paul makes an important contribution to Reformed theology is in its emphasis on the church. We desperately need to hear N.T. Wright and others on this (and many Reformed theologians agree). 

2. Ecclesiology is a first-rate issue. Justification speaks to it strongly and we need to better emphasize this dimension.

One of the greatest problems in evangelicalism today is a radical individualism that so emphasizes the relationship between the individual and God that it often leaves out the corporate ramifications of salvation.

We are saved as individuals, yes. But we are saved in order to form the community of God promised to Abraham and fulfilled by Jesus.

The New Perspective is exposing a glaring weakness of much Reformed exegesis. We have unintentionally neglected the ecclesiological aspects of justification. It is no coincidence that Ephesians 2 begins with individual salvation (by grace apart from works) and concludes with salvation’s purpose – the bringing together of Jew and Gentile. It is not a coincidence that Paul rebukes Peter in Galatians 2 for not eating at the Gentile table.

One of the problems plaguing evangelicalism today is the lack of interest in the Church. Church leaders spend enormous energy just trying to keep people engaged in church. Sometimes this takes place by using guilt. “You know… Jesus did so much for you when he died on the cross. Don’t you think you should give him two hours every Sunday morning?” Guilt has never been a good motivator.

If you’re an active evangelizer, you quickly discover that many people who never darken the door of a church will tell you, “Yes, I’m saved. Yes, I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I prayed and asked Jesus to forgive me of my sins. I know I’m going to heaven when I die.” And yet these people don’t go to church, aren’t involved in kingdom work, and live like everyone else. It’s frightening, but many well-intentioned soulwinners will say, “Praise the Lord!” and move on to the next person. After all, the ticket to heaven is the main thing.

We are seeing the results of the gospel we have preached. When we preach a gospel that sees justification by faith as a doctrine solely about salvation, we wind up with people who sincerely believe they are on the right path – even if that path has no place for the Body of Christ on earth. What’s salvation got to do with the church after all? Much, according to Paul. The New Perspective reminds us that justification by faith speaks strongly to ecclesiology. It is about the coming together of Jew and Gentile, rich and poor, black and white, male and female – the fulfillment of all the Old Testament promises. We are saved by Jesus’ death and resurrection and we are baptized into his Body on earth.

It’s not only NPP authors who stress this. The best of the Reformed tradition also upholds this doctrine. But because we continue to preach justification by faith as if it speaks only to matters of personal salvation, we unintentionally downplay the importance of the Church. And that is why people can, without batting an eye, say they have personal salvation but no need for the church.

The stress on ecclesiology also forces us to rethink the way that visible churches look today. Why aren’t we more multi-cultural, multi-national, multi-generational, multi-racial? Why is Sunday morning at 10:00 the most segregated hour of the week in most of America? Why have we lagged behind our culture on this?

Can we evangelicals admit that we’ve missed the boat on this one? How else do you explain evangelical churches in the 1800’s having the balcony reserved for African Americans? How else do you explain Southern Baptist support for slavery and segregation? How else do you explain Martin Luther’s anti-Semitism?

If we do not do justice to the ecclesiological dimensions of justification, we are not being true to the gospel – that Jesus Christ who has been crucified for our sins is the risen Lord of all the world.

Does the New Perspective overstate its case? Yes. Wright pulls the pendulum so far back to ecclesiology that he leaves little room for the soteriological dimension of justification.

But we can be thankful for the New Perspective’s pointing out to us what is already there in the text – a strong emphasis on the church that we have too often ignored.

written by Trevin Wax  © 2008 Kingdom People blog

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