QUOTABLES: Barrack Obama

“It may make your blood boil. Your mind may not often be changed. But the practice of listening to opposing views is essential for effective citizenship.”

- President Barrack Obama

Piper vs. Wright (3): God’s Righteousness

We’re comparing the differences between John Piper and N. T. Wright on Paul and the New Perspective using helpful summaries compiled by Trevin Wax featured in the June edition of Christianity Today.  Today we look at “the righteousness of God.”

What does Paul mean by the righteousness of God?  

PIPER: The essence of God’s righteousness is his unwavering faithfulness to uphold the glory of his name in all he does.  No single action, like covenant keeping, is God’s righteousness.  For all his acts are done in righteousness.  The essence of human righteousness is the unwavering faithfulness to uphold the glory of God in all we do.  The problem is that we all fall short of this glory; that is, no one is righteous. 

WRIGHT: God’s righteousness refers to his own faithfulness to the covenant he made with Abraham.  Israel has been unfaithful to this commission.  What is now required, if the world’s sin is to be dealt with and a worldwide family created for Abraham, is a faithful Israelite who can be faithful to the covenant in Israel’s stead.  

Some of my observations include: