I’m looking forward to this. I’ve read Piper’s and Wright’s books, and my high level, overall reaction was that Piper didn’t seem to understand Wright on some key points, and that Wright’s response was very effective. (I came into this with no bias either way).
But before I “convert” to the *full* Wright perspective, I’d like to see a more balanced perspective than Piper’s. It will be great to hear your views, Scot.

I am reading Marin’s book right now! Can’t wait!

Glad you are doing this important debate, I just ordered the book.
Does anyone else think the phrase “god was against you” is at best poorly choosen, and at worst an insult to a supremely loving God?

Jeff,
I totally agree. The fact that Piper utters such words, without even stopping to think of the implications, demonstrates to me just how far he is from me in terms of his understanding of the nature of God.
I honestly tire a little of these debates. If one side of the debate looks to a God who “was against you”, then to me the point is mute. There is no debate. I don’t believe in that God. Period. End of story.

I didn’t like Piper’s comment suggesting that Wright denies penal substitutionary atonement. Because he does not. He says so himself. He sees Isaiah 53 as the key text for Jesus’ understanding of his own vocation.

I’m really looking forward to the discussion about Marin’s book.
Maybe it will give me some direction on how to de-escalate the heated discussion on gay marriage/civil unions that’s been going on in my local community (and on my blog).
Right now I’m drowning in comments attacking me for my moderate views on the issue.

Hang in there, Dan. I read your blog and the guy who won’t stop attacking you seems to have been born angry as well as gay. Gay marriage could be legal tomorrow and he’d still have hate directed at something, Christians most likely. I was going to post there but it seemed like teaching pigs to sing – a waste of my time and irritating to the pig.
Anyway, “the God who is against us”??
Suppose as I raised my child, she never told me she loved me. I provided for her and met her needs, but other than that I reciprocated her lack of feelings.
Then one day, when she reaches adulthood, she says “I love you, Dad” and I answer “Well, I finally love you, too.”
Nothing can separate us from God’s love. We may turn our backs on Him but He never turns his back on us.

Is this a brand new book from Wright? Or is it an updated and renamed version of What Saint Paul Really Said? They sound very similar in contents, from what I can dig up.

Glen, a brand new book and one that draws together so much of his thinking on justification and the new perspective debates. This book responds to his critics.

Thanks Scot, I’ll add it to the list!

Dan S. hello! I will stop by your blog again next. Your post about how to continue in the conversation rocked! I shared it on facebook and elsewhere and highly admire you. I am sorry you are taking heat! I get heat over this subject as well, and I know there has to be a better way. I think that better way looks like your post.

Scot,
Two excellent choices. I’m looking forward to the Jesus Creed virtual discussions.

I find Piper’s statement “at that moment God is no longer against you?he?s for you” to be very odd. I am not sure the witness of the scriptures is that God was ever “against” us. In fact, the focus of Paul’s statments in Romans 1:16-17 is that God has always been for us and that the Christ event is one more demonstaration (albeit a very important one) of how God has always be for us. I can’t see why some insist on the judical view of Romans and Justification when such an understanding of Righteousness was NOT a part of Early Jewish perceptions of God.

Looking forward to the discussion on justification. I can’t help wondering if Piper and Wright have ever sat down together to dialogue? Would be interesting.