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Counted Righteous in Christ: Should We Abandon the Imputation of Christ's Righteousness? | 
 enlarge | Author: John Piper
Publisher: Crossway Books
Category: Book
List Price: $13.99
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Rating:  11 reviews
Sales Rank: 496651
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 144
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.1
ISBN: 1581344473
Dewey Decimal Number: 234.7
EAN: 9781581344479
ASIN: 1581344473
Publication Date: November 15, 2002
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Product Description
Martin Luther said that if we understand justification we are in the clearest light; if we do not know it, we dwell in the densest darkness. And now, in this new and important book, John Piper accepts Luther's challenge. He points out that we need to see ourselves as having been recipients of the imputation of Christ's righteousness and therefore enjoy full acceptance with God and the everlasting inheritance of life and joy.
Piper writes as both a pastor and a scholar. His pastor s heart is shown in his zeal for the welfare of the church. His careful scholarship is evident in each explanation and undergirds each conclusion.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 6 more reviews...
Piper humbly and thoroughly answers every objection to imputed righteousness August 20, 2008
I picked this book up because of my recent exposure to those who deny the imputation of Christ's "active" obedience on behalf of believers. Some proponents of New Covenant Theology and Dispensationalism have headed in the direction of denying the historically-protestant doctrine of imputation, not to mention the classical objections from Rome and semi-pelagians, but Piper certainly meets their objections head-on.
The book is a short 125 pages, but don't let that fool you, for the main thrust of his argument (the third chapter) is loaded with solid and meticulous exegesis. In short, Piper interacts with a treatise by Robert Gundry, and does so in the humble, pastoral way we've come accustomed to with Piper.
The book can really be broken down into four parts, as follows:
1. Evidence that the righteousness imputed to us is external and not our faith.
a. To this, Piper examines and exegetes the following texts: Rom 4:5-6 paralleled with Rom 3:28; Rom 4:9-11; 10:10; Phil 3:8-9.
2. The external righteousness credited to us is God's
a. To this, Piper examines and exegetes the following texts: Rom 3:20 - 4:6; 2 Cor 5:21
3. Justification is not liberation from sin's mastery [and by this Piper means perfectionism, infused righteousness, salvation by our continual effort, etc.]
a. To this, Piper examines and exegetes the following texts: Rom 6:6-7; flow of thought in Rom 8:3-4
4. The divine righteousness imputed to believers is the righteousness of Jesus Christ
a. To this, Piper examines and exegetes the following texts: 2 Cor 5:21; Phil 3:9; 1 Cor 1:30; Rom 10:4; Rom 5:12-19
Personally, I would see his exegesis of Romans 5:12-19 to be his most potent and thorough argument. This section alone is worth the price of the book.
Conclusion:
This book absolutely deserves the highest rating, five stars. Piper defends the doctrine that is at the very heart of the Christian faith, and does so in such a warm, thorough manner, that the believer who is indeed covered by Jesus Christ's perfect righteousness will no doubt leap for joy. In the face of such shoddy theology in this land, not to mention the shallowness of the American church which probably can't even define the term `active obedience', this doctrine of imputation of Christ's obedience by faith alone has fallen by the wayside. I would submit that many errors of pelagianism, salvation-by-merit or works, and even self-willed sanctification begin with a misunderstanding or misconstruing of this precious doctrine.
Are we counted righteous based upon God's righteousness and not our own? Is this righteousness imputed or `counted' to us by faith alone, as opposed to `infused' or self-merited? Is this righteousness the perfect obedience of the second Adam, Jesus Christ, in our place? Piper proves from scripture that the answer to these questions is without a shadow of a doubt, `Yes'. And this, my friends, *is* the gospel. And the defense of the gospel in the face of error never gets old.
Out of 5 stars, I give this one a strong 5. Without a doubt, this is a must-have must-read.
A Necessary and Timely Defence of the Doctrine of Imputed Righteousness December 21, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book is written to defend the doctrine of Imputed Righteousness against the recent attack by fellow evangelicals (specifically Robert Gundry) who claim the doctrine is not biblical. The doctrine of Imputed Righteousness teaches that through faith, Christ's righteousness is imputed (or credited or reckoned) to us as our righteousness. Gundry, on the other hand, claims that it is our faith itself that is imputed to us as our righteousness. Gundry has committed the age-old error of misunderstanding the mere instrumentality of faith.
Piper proves his case by following through the biblical arguments made by Paul. Readers who take the trouble of closely following the trail laid by Piper will find the evidence for Imputed Righteousness indisputable.
Personally I feel that the biblical support for Imputed Righteousness is strong but indirect. This is because Paul is more concerned about proving that salvation comes through faith and seems to take the imputation of Christ's righteousness to the believer for granted. This is probably why evangelicals (and even evangelical theologians) can confuse the issue. It also makes Piper's effort to prove the doctrine doubly difficult, having to examine the whole of Paul's argument rather than merely quoting single verses. Sometimes Piper is forced to combine multiple passages. Much to his credit, he does it in a way that makes his complex arguments still comprehensible to the non-scholarly mind (even though at times, the mind needs a little stretching).
Is this book important? Is it worth the time and effort to digest it? A resounding YES! to that. Imputed Righteousness falls under the class of doctrines called Soteriology (ie. salvation doctrines) and to me, anything that falls under Soteriology had best be taken seriously. Imputed Righteousness also gives glory to the One who deserves all glory, our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. He has covered us with His righteousness and it is only right that we learn about it and affirm and defend this teaching.
Splendidly Christ exalting! March 18, 2006
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Piper writes with conviction and passion. He lets the Text drive his thoughts, yet considers other implications. The doctrine of Christ's imputed righteousness is at stake in evangelicalism. Piper deals with the Text submissively, faithfully and expositionaly. He sees himself as a student of the Bible. Not the other around. In this brief exposition, Piper has helped us to treat Scriptures carefully in light of other texts and demonstrated that the doctrine of Christ's imputed righteousness is the sinner's only hope. Piper's argument is compelling, persuasive and engaging. "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him "(2 Cor. 5.21).
Defending the Reformation against errors May 3, 2004
6 out of 8 found this review helpful
In this short book, Dr. John Piper exposes and critiques the serious errors that are being promulgated within evangelical Christianity regarding the doctrine of justification, the righteousness of Christ, the Adam-Christ paradigm, the law-gospel paradigm, and the role of good works in the Christian life. In short, Piper is writing to defend the traditional evangelical understanding of the Gospel (i.e., the one taught in Scripture). There are four chapters in this book. The first chapter is an intro on why the traditional Protestant view of justification is necessary from a familial, ecclesiological, and cultural context. I thought this chapter was quite useless to the purpose of the book and Piper should have just left it unwritten. The second chapter is a short summary of what is going on within evangelicalism on this issue. The third chapter is basically the "meat" of the book. It is quite long and dense (pp. 53-119). This is where Piper defends the historic position based on exegesis and theological argumentation. This is where he deals with the major "justification by faith" passages like Romans 5:12-19; 2 Corinthians 5:21; and Philippians 3:9. Piper does a good job here giving and defending the traditional evangelical interpretation of these passages (that Paul is talking about the imputation of Christ's righteousness and not our "faith-righteousness" or infusion of Christ's righteousness). Piper leaves no stone unturned and many scholars who disagree with the historic Reformational position must reckon with his arguments. (One will find Piper's treatment of the Adam-Christ headship concept very insightful.) It is also refreshing to see that Piper vindicates himself from his ultra-Reformed opponents on the relationship between justification and sanctification, faith and works, etc. Some Reformed people in the past have accused him of joining justification and sanctification or faith and works too closely together. However, Piper makes it clear in this book that justification must never be confused with sanctification (pp. 49-50, 69-80), and that faith is the ONLY instrument in being justified in Christ before God--though this faith leads to good works (p. 89 n. 36). He basically refutes the faith + works theology that is accepted by many professing evangelical scholars today. Hence, many Reformed people have heartily endorsed this book. The fourth chapter is basically a short conclusion of the book. Piper's book is very important for all evangelicals to read. With so much controversy going on these days regarding the nature of the Gospel (i.e., the New Perspective) this short book is a nice read. Not only is this book theologically important it is also (like his other works) pastorally conscious--it leads believers to look to Christ alone for salvation. As there are many so-called "evangelical" pastors who serve at evangelical churches, this book clears the air and shows what the true Gospel is about. There are many "intruders" in the church today who pose as faithful teachers yet proclaim things contrary to their denomination's theological position. (These churchmen, interestingly enough, adopt this new gospel because they think that they have found a new "solution" in fighting rampant antinomianism in the modern church or eliminating the ills of modern society. Apparently, biblical-theological reasons are not the main reasons.) These churchmen worry about losing their jobs and are afraid to admit that their position is contrary to what was taught by the Reformers. They use the same language to advocate a new idea and deceive many. The issue is not only theological, but has to do with the ministerial integrity of many churchmen. This short book is a must read for all students of Scripture. It may make many people uncomfortable, but that is what the Gospel does. Those used to a works-righteousness based salvation will either find this book liberating or frustrating (like Paul's opponent's who were frustrated with his law-free Gospel). A very important book on a very important subject that needs to be in every Christian home.
Wonderful Work on the Nature of Justification December 24, 2003
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
This a very impressive work! This is the first John Piper book I have read, and all I can say is WOW!A lot of "punch" is packed into such a little book (just over 100 pages). Some readers who are not keen on indepth exegesis may find it a bit overwhelming, but if they stick with reading it they will not be disappointed. I heartily recommend this book.
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