Bird participates in the debate between John Piper and N. T. Wright on a biblical understanding of justification by faith. He looks at five points of contention between Piper and Wright. Bird tries to establish a modified Reformed view that can function as a middle way between the two. The five points of contention are the use of ancient literature in biblical exegesis, the distinction between ordo salutis and historia salutis, the righteousness of God, the imputation of righteousness, and finally the relationship between faith, works, and the final judgment.