This significant work, precipitated by the Lutheran-Roman Catholic Joint Declaration on the doctrine of justification, represents Eberhard J ngel’s most sustained theological writing for some time. J ngel examines the role of justification in Christian faith — and emphasises its central importance. He traces the history of the concept of ‘justice’ in Greek thought, and of the Old Testament parallel concept ‘righteousness’. He then moves on to a consideration of the righteousness of God in its Christian context, and in particular to God’s righteousness in Christ. A major contribution to theological discussion is found in his fresh and fearless treatment of the unfashionable topic of sin. Throughout the work, J ngel constantly interacts with the great Catholic and Protestant thinkers, his skill as a theologian matched by his insight as a philosopher.