Chapter One: The Heart of the Matter: the Justification Theory of Salvation
S.1. Preamble
1.1 Basis: Based on key texts linking theory to Scripture; J a flawed theory (p12) yet "the most formidable account of the data that we yet possess". Method: if Paul is interpreted this way then certain things follow.
1.2 Rigor: Paul must be given the benefit of the doubt; rigorous thinking is not limited to professionals; tactically inept to dispense with Paul's coherence (p13).
1.3 Nomenclature: Better to use "J" than "Lutheran".
1.4 Federal Calvinism: Moving by faith from unjustified to justified (p14-15).
S.2. The First Phase: The Rigorous Contract
2.1 The Opening Progression: A rational, self-interested individual in a pre-Christian law-abiding state chooses to have faith in the God of justice known to all as the cosmic law-giver and judge (p15) which is not redistributive but retributive, rewarding the righteous and punishing the guilty. Jews have the Law (archetypal subjects of Phase One (P1)), others have natural theology to know what is right (p16). Jews are representative of everyman, all are in a sense Jews before they become Christians and those who remain non-Christian are unconverted Jews. Propositional summary; ethical legislation based on retributive justice is the fundamental structure of the universe, as well as the divine nature.
2.2 The Future Eschatological Caveat (p18): In Job &c the wicked prosper and the good suffer; by Paul's time widely held eschatological caveat.
2.3 The Introspective Twist (p18): Perfectionists and pragmatists (p19); self-knowledge and the improbability of salvation (p20) because people are not perfect.
1.4 The Loop of Despair (21): Despair is the only logical conclusion on contemplating our original position.
2.5 The Loop of Foolishness: Those who resist the conclusion of despair are self-deluded; argument in propositional form (p22). Concomitantly, the most religious will be the most condemned and the sinner the least; but this is not a cul-de-sac for God in Christ is the door at the end of what is a vestibule (p23), so the harsh contract is followed by the generous contract.
S.3. The Second Phase: The Generous Contract
Two components: the satisfaction of God's justice; the appropriation of that solution by the sinner through faith.
3.1 The Satisfaction of God's Justice: Christ's sinlessness confers limitless atoning value on a punitive and satisfactory sacrifice; Christ's atonement monopoly 'justifies' or 'buys' discharge (p24). Luther says people do not stop sinning so the on-going redemption is a 'legal fiction'. Some believe that as sinners are directed to the Cross, Christ's perfect righteousness can be directed to the sinner; odd that the sinner is in ethically neutral territory, simul justus et peccator.
3.2 The Appropriation of Salvation: The counterweight to sinfulness is faith (p25); a less demanding criterion than moral perfection or even 51%; summary of propositions; soteriological voluntarism; adding good works to faith alone pitches the person back into hopelessness (p26); in these terms "grace" is unmerited rather than unconditional (which rather stretches the definition) (p27).
S.4. Summary in Propositional Form (p28-29).
S.5. Root Metaphors
Anthropology: individual, rational, self-interested, acting in accordance with the "will", primarily cognitive (p30), including knowledge of God through 'natural theology' including God's ethical demands; the ambiguity of individual response.
Theology: One, worshipped an iconically, above all just (p31), retributive ruler, judge, parent; mercy is bad government for sinners (p32); wrong doing demands proportionate substitutional payment; the rationalist's response is faith (p33); "Individuals are saved by a mental action - a cognitive appropriation - and this is simply how they have behaved throughout." Metaphors in propositional form (p34-35).