In this book, Alan D. Strange investigates the Westminster Assembly and the Westminster Standards to determine whether they affirmed the imputation of Christ’s active obedience as necessary for our justification. He also gives a survey of church history before and during the Reformation to see how the Assembly relates to the tradition before it. This study also reflects on the relation of imputation to federal theology, modern challenges to the doctrine, and important rules for interpreting the confessional document.

Contents:

Author’s Preface

1. An Initial Approach to the Westminster Assembly’s Understanding of Christ’s Active Obedience

2. Antecedents to Active Obedience in the Ancient and Medieval Church

3. Active Obedience in the Reformation before the Westminster Assembly

4. The Work of the Westminster Assembly and Active Obedience, Part 1

5. The Work of the Westminster Assembly and Active Obedience, Part 2

6. The Imputation of Christ’s Active Obedience throughout the Westminster Standards

7. Active Obedience and Federal Theology

8. The Place of Active Obedience in Confessional Interpretation

AUTHOR

Alan D. Strange is professor of church history, registrar, and theological librarian of Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, Indiana.

Endorsement

“Alan Strange paints a portrait that situates the Westminster Standards in their historical context and persuasively argues that they promote the doctrine of the imputation of Christ’s active obedience—His perfect fulfillment of the law on behalf of justified sinners. He also surveys recent challenges to the doctrine and explains why they fall short. This succinct book presents a powerful message that gives hope to every Christian—namely, that we receive by grace alone through faith alone Christ’s suffering and perfect law-keeping imputed to us for our justification and salvation.” — J. V. Fesko, professor of systematic and historical theology, Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi