For the first time since Regensburg in 1541 an official Lutheran and Roman Catholic dialogue has produced a common statement on the doctrine of justification, the battleground on which the Reformation was fought. This seventh volume in the series, Lutherans and Catholics in Dialogue, has been able to build upon a growing consensus in biblical and historical scholarship and the new climate in ecumenical relationships that has developed since Vatican II. As a consequence stereotypes have been shattered and greater convergence has become possible; Lutheran and Catholic theologians in the dialogue are able to declare together that “our entire hope of justification and salvation rests on Christ Jesus.” A common statement describes the present level of convergence. Biblical, historical, and theological essays provide the background for further discussion of the issues. “Justification by Faith” is published under the sponsorship of Lutheran World Ministries and the Bishops’ Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs.