The Doctrine of Justification

The value of Buchanan’s book today is that it will help us to understand this message better, and so to preach it in the full and comprehensive way in which the modern world needs to hear it.’ – J. I. PACKER

From the Introductory Essay :

‘The doctrine of Justification by faith is like Atlas : it bears a world : it bears a world on its shoulders, the entire evangelical knowledge of saving grace. The doctrines of election, of effectual calling, regeneration, and repentance, of adoption, of prayer, of the church, the ministry, and the sacraments, have all to be interpreted and understood in the light of justification by faith. When justification falls, all true knowledge of the grace of God in human life falls with it, and then as Luther said, the church itself falls.

‘There is a reason why James Buchanan’s treatment of the Doctrine of Justification is a Christian classic. It puts to rest forever the notion that the magisterial reformers of the 16th Century introduced a novelty in their declaration that justification is by faith alone. Buchanan’s careful and comprehensive survey of church history shows clearly that the doctrine is the historic and Biblical doctrine.’ – R. C. SPROUL