Finding Peace with God – A Review by Wayne Pearce

Finding Peace with God¹ provides a brief overview of the biblical doctrine of justification. It is written in plain language which makes it accessible to all and affords not only a timely antidote to the false teaching of Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy but it also helpfully refutes the erroneous New Perspective on Paul adopted by proponents of the Federal Vision. Its author Maurice Roberts is a retired pastor and former editor of The Banner of Truth magazine and hence writes from an evangelistic perspective and pastoral concern.

This booklet is subdivided into nine brief chapters. From the outset it articulates the truth that fallen man’s greatest need is to be brought into a right relationship with God. Man needs to be righteous before God but rather he is ruined and wretched by sin. The Bible has been given to show us the remedy for our sin through faith in the Redeemer. Sinners are not justified by works – by keeping rites, rituals, rules or regulations as false religions teach, but rather are justified by faith alone in Christ alone. Sinners are made right with God by his ‘gift of righteousness’ which is the righteousness of Christ which is imputed to all who believe on him. ‘The great gospel is just this: that what we could not do to make ourselves acceptable to God, Christ has done by living and dying for us.’

Roberts rightly points out that ‘The Merit of our justification is Christ’s obedience. The Means of our receiving it is faith alone. The Mark of true faith is godly behaviour.’ He refutes the false allegations of Rome that this doctrine was an innovation introduced at the Reformation by recourse to the writings of the early church fathers: Irenaeus, Cyprian, Athanasius, Basil, Ambrose, Origen, Jerome, Chrysostom and Augustine. We are similarly warned of ‘errors and falsehoods to be avoided’, particularly of confusing and combining justification with sanctification. We are also reminded of the need for the illumination of the Spirit in order to rightly comprehend and apply the word of truth. The classic, clear, concise and correct teaching of the Westminster Confession is helpfully employed and readers are taught how the Law is used by God to show us our sin and lead us to Christ. The booklet concludes by showing that justification is the way to glory.

Readable, requisite and recommended.