Having read several of Dr. Matthew Bates’ prior books, I was really looking forward to diving into this one. I was not disappointed. I equally appreciate his careful research and new formulations (on the one hand) and his winsome tone and unity-seeking spirit (on the other). One need not agree with every “jot and tittle” of Bates’ work to benefit tremendously from it.

The desire expressed in the last chapter of the book is that both Roman Catholic and Protestant theological gatekeepers would reboot the theological discussion that separated them half a millennium ago – to look with fresh eyes at key topics surrounding the doctrine of “salvation,” and to do so freed from anachronistic 16th century issues and with the aid of modern biblical scholarship, which has been far more receptive to modifying traditional views than the magisterium on both sides of the rift.

The most important function that I think this book plays in my personal context is blowing up the idea that Roman Catholics and Protestants have a different gospel. They don’t. I grew up in a theological tradition that treated Roman Catholics as non-Christians because of their soteriological difference in what Bates identifies as the instrumental and formal causes of salvation. While Dr. Bates’ clearly sides with the Protestant perspective on these two areas of theology, he does not consider such beliefs to be fatal to a true Christian faith.

Because the theology of baptism plays such a major role in the differences on issues of salvation between Roman Catholics and Protestants, Dr. Bates devotes a helpful chapter on the topic of Baptism. He takes a perspective that is consistent with the majorative Protestant view, while stressing the deep significance and essential nature of baptism as a bodily demonstration of allegiance to Jesus.

The final chapter provides a tertium quid to the two dominant Western approaches to salvation: the Roman Catholic formulation of impartation and the Protestant formulation of imputation. Both traditional perspectives are flawed, but have redeemable elements that need to be highlighted in a new formulation which he refers to as incorporation. I find his arguments compelling for his exegesis of texts and this new way of articulating the doctrine of salvation.

From a practical perspective, Bates makes an important point in his last chapter on how change can come about to move people off their entrenched traditional perspectives. He calls for “transdenominational” collaboration outside of formal ecclesiastical entities. Shifting the power away from hierarchical institutions that call themselves “churches” to other organizations and fellowships that don’t is a huge positive from my vantage point. I fail to see how the unity Jesus calls us to will ever come about through mergers and acquisitions of existing denominations. It will have to be through informal and relational connections created organically as shadow networks outside established ecclesiastical power structures and their brokers.

The only material drawback to this discussion was the omission of Eastern Orthodoxy into the mix. Bates stated early on in the book that this thought partner would be excluded from the dialogue due to being outside of the scope. I understand the need to keep things manageable, and adding another major perspective would likely have lengthed the book substantially. But I wonder if some of the solutions which Bates is pursuing may exist to some extent already within non-Western Christianity, particularly in theological perspectives like theosis.

I struggled to get into this book, not because it is not good or well written, but because it is a bit more serious and high level than I am looking for right now. I did read about 10% before I decided to DNF it for now, but hope that at some point I will be in headspace to dive in again.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions are my own.

Matthew W. Bates offers a genuinely helpful and insightful contribution with Beyond the Salvation Wars. This book thoughtfully tackles complex questions about salvation, providing readers with a compelling and clarifying perspective that feels both fresh and deeply rooted in Scripture.
For those familiar with Bates's earlier influential work, Salvation by Allegiance Alone, this book serves as a natural and effective progression. It takes the core idea of pistis as active allegiance – more than just mental belief – and carefully builds upon it, exploring its wider implications for how we understand the Christian life and salvation narrative. It’s satisfying to see these ideas developed further.
One of the book's real strengths is Bates's thorough research and clear argumentation. He navigates challenging biblical passages and historical discussions with skill, presenting a well-reasoned case that remains accessible. He engages fairly with different viewpoints while confidently charting his course. His ability to untangle complex theological knots and present a coherent picture is truly valuable for readers seeking clarity beyond the old "faith vs. works" deadlock.
A particularly insightful section deals with baptism. Bates effectively integrates this practice into his main argument, showing how it functions as a crucial, embodied expression of allegiance to Christ – a public declaration of loyalty. Rather than treating it as an isolated topic, he weaves it meaningfully into the fabric of salvation through allegiance, which many readers will find illuminating.
Overall, Beyond the Salvation Wars provides a constructive way forward, helping readers move past some long-standing and often divisive debates about salvation. Bates presents a cohesive and biblically grounded vision centered on allegiance to Jesus as King, encompassing our beliefs, actions, and communal life.
Beyond the Salvation Wars is a significant and rewarding read. Pastors, students, and thoughtful Christians looking for a well-researched and coherent perspective on salvation, especially one that builds convincingly on the concept of allegiance, will find much to appreciate here. It's a valuable contribution to contemporary theology and comes highly recommended.

Solid and serious that will contribute to ecumenical work on salvation theology. Bates definitely continues in one of his favorite themes! Found the framing of title a little off.

Matthew Bates is a New Testament scholar to whom I pay very careful attention. His writing is deeply reasoned, biblical, and challenging, and this book is no exception. No one is safe here. While broadly supportive and honoring of both sides of the divide, Protestants and Catholics alike will feel the heat of his critique!

Twenty years ago, Bates' thesis would have sparked an agitated and unhelpful exchange. However, I believe the current environment is much more open. I also think there are far fewer hardened Piper, MacArthur, and "Young, Restless, and Reformed" enthusiasts on the Protestant side who would strongly object to Bates' arguments.

The author provides a helpful summary of his previous work on faith as allegiance and an explication of the Gospel. He then uses this context to examine how Protestants and Catholics view the Gospel and salvation. I recommend this book to everyone interested in the theology of salvation. It is deep water so approach with an open heart and engaged mind!

Matthew Bates does it again! Beyond The Salvation Wars: Why Both Protestants and Catholics Must Reimagine How We Are Saved is a welcomed addition to Bates’s collection of vitally important work for the church and the Kingdom. In a very practical and approachable way, Bates unpacks some of the most difficult and divisive arguments concerning salvation, justification, baptism, and more. Having read Gospel Allegiance, Why the Gospel?, The Gospel Precisely, and Salvation by Allegiance Alone I opened this book expecting to simply rehash some of the previously explored material, but I was pleasantly surprised with Bate’s new angle and approach to fully exploring these long-debated issues with a focus, not toward further division, but toward unity. Get a pen, notepad, and fresh highlighter ready, because this is a book you’ll return to again and again as a wonderful source for understanding salvation according to Scripture. I highly recommend this book!

Another strong entry in Bates' catalogue of books about the Gospel, salvation, and allegiance. The discussion between protestant and catholic views is especially helpful

(I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)