“New Perspective of Paul” (NPP) movement in some ways is more about pulling the concepts of justification and sanctification back in line with the total Biblical teaching on the subject and nearer the Universal Christian Church (Catholic Church) at the time of the Reformation.
History implies that Martin Luther and John Calvin wanted to attack the Universal Church on a number of fronts. The big one of course was in the area of indulgents, but also history tells us the Luther was strongly against the Book of James teaching on “good works”. In fact, it is documented that Luther stated that the Book of James should not have been canonized, included in the Bible.
Since Luther could not remove it, he raised the false flag that Paul’s Epistles refuted James on this topic and one of his rallying points was “sola grace” or grace alone! However, the concepts of “The New Perspective” of Paul attempts to pull the pendulum nearer the traditional Catholic Church.
One of the points of “New Perspective of Paul” is that it seems to define the concept of justification when related to the concept of salvation has two points of reference, the initial point of profession and the final point of judgment. In other words, our Christian walk is a journey, a pilgrimage with a wilderness to encounter much like Israel in the wilderness on the way to the promised land. Just as some rebelled and fell in the wilderness and did not make it to the promised land, so some who call themselves Christian will fall when tested and not make it to heaven.
It might be good to look at warnings of Hebrews and references to the Provocation (rebellion) of Israel in the wilderness after they had benefited from the “Passover”, manna, water from the rock, and even the Temple sacrificial system, they still rebelled and never allowed into God’s promise land!
Both Ps 95:7-11 and Hebrews 3:7-11, plus a number of other New Testament writers address this failure.
One view within the New Perspective on Paul (NPP) is that initial justification is by faith and recognizes covenant status, while final justification is partially by works, albeit works produced by the Spirit. This concept is also in agreement with the theology of “Progressive Covenantalism”.
It also seems to agree with Jesus’ teaching in a number of places such as when He was speaking to the disciples upon the mount of Olives:
Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Jesus speaking to the disciples about the end times
Also, when He explains the Parable of the Sower about seeds of the Gospel sowed on different type of hearts.
Mar 4:16-17 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; [17] And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended
Then Jesus’ statement about the seed of Gospel on thorny soil:
Mar 4:18-19 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, [19] And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
Almost all of Paul’s Epistles are divided into two parts. The first part is speaking of what a disciple should believe and the second part about what a disciple of Christ does, how they should behave! What point is salvation after he discusses beliefs or and the end of the Epistle after he has described the “good works”
For example:
Rom 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.[2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Rom 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
Eph 4:22-24 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; [23] And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; [24] And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Col 3:5-10 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: [6] For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: [7] In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. [8] But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. [9] Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; [10] And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
A quick check on the views of those who you read and hear. Are they speaking about an Eph 2:8-9 gospel or an Eph 2-10 Gospel?
Eph 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Jesus says: Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven
Paul: 2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: [17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
2Co 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
1Co 6:9-11 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, [10] Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.[11] And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
The Biblical concepts of “good works” not only put into question Luther’s beliefs on “solo grace” but it also brings into question Calvin’s concept of “Eternal Security”, also known by some as the “Perseverance of the Saints”!
The only Christian church, the Universal Catholic Church taught neither for 1500 years before the Reformation. Maybe it is time to “Reform the Reformers!”
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