Transformation: The Heart of Paul’s Gospel

deSilva is departing from Christian understanding of justification into a justification “by making us just in his sight so that we can be rightly acquitted.” [4:25] Confusing justification and sanctification.

I really enjoyed this small book from deSilva - a good examination of transformation, a look at what it means to be "a new creation". I'm not saying I agree with all the Author has to say - for example I don't fully agree with his approach to Romans 7. But his argument for Transformation is very akin to Luther's on Good Works - not that Good Works get you into heaven, but that surely Good Works are a result of what Christ has done and is doing inside our lives, and our Christian communities. I do like that the author covers both the individual as well as the corporate side of transformation - so often in our Western World today, the latter is either ignored or tacked on. This is an easy read - recommended for any who want to go a bit further into Paul's theology - ie it is a good place for them to start. I'm quite enjoying the books that are coming out in this Snapshot series - whilst they are reasonably short, they pack a lot into them and they are good reading - make you think. This one as others is highly recommended.

Regeneration: the Source of Transformation in the Gospel I am a LOGOS user. Recently, LOGOS advertised a book on PrePub that interested me because of its focus on the gospel—Transformation: the Heart of Paul’s Gospel by Dr. David A. deSilva. I ordered and downloaded the book. I began reading it and started a dialog with the author. He has been kind and gracious as I have questioned and scrutinized his work. The book is an attempt to bring about a holistic understanding to the often fragmented views of justification and sanctification. Dr. deSilva is re-examining these concepts under the guiding principle of Transformation. Although, I applaud his efforts to focus the Christian community on a transformed lifestyle moving toward the likeness of Christ, I am concerned about some of the theological implications of his view. In my dialog with him regarding the theological categories, he replied that he was not attempting to be a theologian building theological categories but is being an exegete examining current positions in theology by the Scriptures. He is reexamining the strict theological distinctions asserted by the categories in theology (especially justification and sanctification)? As I examined the basic positions he held and the Scriptures he used to support his views, I found that my exegesis did not allow the same theological positions he asserts in his book. Who am I to question this academic professional and seasoned author? I am a pastor of a local church who is concerned for the glory of Christ and the good of his people in the preservation of the gospel of Christ. The gospel, in its purity, is the power of God for salvation (Rom. 1:16). The position I find wanting in this book, in theological terms, is the absence of regeneration or the merging of the concept of regeneration with justification. Christ asserted that regeneration by the Spirit was the entry point and ground of salvation (John 3:3-8). Jesus says one cannot “see” the kingdom of God unless (and I would say this includes until) he is born again. The new birth (Eph. 2:4-5) results in faith/belief (Eph. 2:8-9). Further, the new life of belief granted by the re-birth is the catalyst into transformation (progressive sanctification—good works, Eph. 2:10) that takes place in the Christian life. I believe Dr. deSilva confuses regeneration with transformation (merely progressive sanctification). He then makes transformation a requirement for a final justification. This makes the believer have a part in the transformation process to secure his/her justification. This is not so! A. W. Pinks says, “Popery includes under justification the renovation of man’s moral nature or deliverance from depravity, thereby confounding justification with regeneration and sanctification. On the other hand, all representative Protestants have shown that justification refers not to a change of moral character, but to a change of legal status; though allowing, yea, insisting, that a radical change of character invariably accompanies it” (The Doctrine of Justification--2nd paragraph of chapter 1). I agree with Pink. Dr. deSilva challenged me to examine the Scriptures. I, therefore, left the theological discussion and examined the Scriptures he used starting from the beginning of chapter 1 (Gal. 5:6, 1 Cor. 7:19, Rom. 2, Gal 2:19–20, and Phil 3:8–11). In this chapter Dr. deSilva is laying the foundation for his view of transformation. It is the only section I am reviewing here. I found that these passages did not support his assertions but showed Dr. deSilva is doing what Pink warned against. Dr. deSilva’s view does not mention regeneration but confused regeneration with justification and sanctification. He views transformation solely as the progressive nature of the Christian life with weight toward a final justification if not pursued. I would caution the reader of this book on this point. This view is not a historically protestant view but catholic and some (like Luther or Pink) might argue it is not evangelical at all. Upon request, I will put my notes into a much larger review. Mind you I have nothing against Dr. deSilva. He has been kind, patient, and willing to dialog. My desire is to guard the integrity and purity of the gospel message. I would challenge readers of this book and review to read both discerningly “to see if these things are so.” The 2 star rating is because I believe the merging of theological these distinctions is too dangerous to consider helpful.

the email says that my account was charged $6.95 for this book but for some reason it won't upload to my library. And I was wondering why I can't have access to a book that I've already purchased I'm not very impressed and I hope its not a terror or problem on your server