The author begins by arguing that the contemporary perception of the doctrine of justification by faith as irrelevant is not a failure of the doctrine but rather a failure to communicate it in understandable, modern day times. After an exposition of the biblical foundation of the doctrine and its historical development, McGrath comes to the heart of the matter: the relevance of the doctrine today. Making use of contemporary philosophies such as existentialism, he demonstrates how the vitality and relevance of the doctrine can be recovered and presented to the modern situation. An appendix presents a careful study of the place of the doctrine in systematic theology.
Alister Edgar McGrath is a Christian theologian and apologist, who holds both a PhD (in molecular biophysics) and an earned Doctor of Divinity degree from Oxford. He is noted for his work in historical, systematic and scientific theology. He was formerly an atheist.
In his writing and public speaking, he promotes "scientific theology" and opposes antireligionism. McGrath was until recently Professor of Historical Theology at the University of Oxford, but has now taken up the chair of Theology, Religion and Culture at King's College London since September 2008. Until 2005, he was principal of Wycliffe Hall.
McGrath is a prolific writer. His work often refers both to the early Church Fathers and to contemporary evangelical stalwarts such as Thomas Torrance and J. I. Packer. His areas of expertise include doctrine, Church history, the interaction of science and faith, and evangelical spirituality.
In 2005 he resigned as Principal of Wycliffe Hall, whilst remaining President of the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics which was based there.
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