About R. Scott Clark
R. Scott Clark is the President of the
Heidelberg Reformation Association, the author and editor of, and contributor to several
books and the author of many articles. He has taught church history and historical theology since 1997 at Westminster Seminary California. He has also taught at Wheaton College, Reformed Theological Seminary, and Concordia University.
Read more» He has hosted the Heidelblog since 2007.
Thanks to Austin Olson for this image!
That is so true. I believe it is who R. C. Sproul who says, the use of the law to gain acceptance with God is an unlawful use of law! The law cannot save, it can only condemn. That is why confusion about this, so that works are included with faith for final salvation, is so misleading and damning. As our Belgic 22 days, it reduces Christ to half a Saviour.
Wasn’t this the major premise of Luther’s commentary on Galatians?
Yup
And of the Bondage of the Will too, and all the rest of his works! Not to mention Calvin’s works too, and many others. Still, moralists like the FV, don’t get it.
Covenant moralists are telling us that Luther and the Reformation were mistaken, that we are saved by a conditional covenant of grace where we must do our part. They are confusing law and gospel, saying it was gracious of God to give us the law so that we may obey to be justified partly on our works which are faith or faithfulness. Works are faith and faith is works! The gospel is the law and law is the gospel. I think it was Rich Lusk who claimed that this was the new paradigm that is replacing the Reformers’ distinction of law and gospel. I pray it isn’t so.
It’s probably fair to say it is the major premise of Galatians!
Yes, Allan, that’s for sure. The strange thing is that many people hear that Christians should do works and they immediately assume it is so God will accept us. Their eyes seem to glaze over when they hear that we do them out of gratitude for what Christ has done, so that we are justified through faith, without the deeds of the law. To them that seems like boring doctrinal hair splitting. The implications of having to do works for acceptance just doesn’t get through to them. Somehow they think they actually can do their part. Maybe it is because they have a low view of the law? Could it be because the law has never really convicted them of their sinfulness?
38 Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you,
39 and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. – Acts 13:38-39
Right on!