Ladd on Justification and Imputation

During my undergraduate years I was introduced to George Eldon Ladd’s A Theology of the New Testament (revised edition by Donald A. Hagner). It is an excellent resource, if not the best, for introducing students of the Bible and theology to the study of New Testament theology. Harold W. Hoehner deems that “this work will continue to be a model of New Testament theology” (back cover). Joel B. Green praises it as “An important textbook refitted for the next generation of students who are both concerned with critical engagement with the New Testament message and committed to the continuing authority of Scripture for the church.” Here is a quote from the book on justification and imputation that I wish to share with you today:

"In classical Reformed theology, a corollary of justification is the doctrine of the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to the believer. However, Paul never expressly states that the righteousness of Christ is imputed to believers. His words are, ‘And to one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness’ (Rom. 4:3).

These words could be taken to mean that God regarded faith as the most meritorious human achievement, and therefore God accounts faith as the equivalent to full righteousness. This, however, would ignore the context of Pauline thought. In contemporary Jewish thought, faith was considered a meritorious work; and it is Paul’s main concern to refute the idea that salvation is based in any way on human works or merit. Faith is clearly excluded from the category of human achievement. Righteousness is reckoned “to one who does not work” (Rom. 4:5). What is reckoned is not faith but righteousness on the basis of faith. David committed notorious sins (Rom. 4:8). It is clear that what is reckoned (imputed) is righteousness entirely apart from human merit.

Paul answers the question when he says, “In him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21). Christ was made sin for our sake. We might say that our sins were reckoned to Christ. He, although sinless, identified himself with our sins, suffered their penalty and doom — death. So we have reckoned to us Christ’s righteousness even though in character and deed we remain sinners. It is an unavoidable logical conclusion that people of faith are justified because Christ’s righteousness is imputed to them."