Why do we need a primer on distinguishing law and gospel?

There are many answers to this question, but for time’s sake, let me give you four reasons a book on the distinction between law and gospel is needed today:

1. It is new to some people

While many theologians and Bible readers understand the distinction between Law and Gospel, some people are new to the Law/Gospel paradigm. They know what law is and they are familiar with the gospel, but they are not sure how the two go together, or even if they should go together. In light of introducing a new theological concept to them, I decided to write the book in a primer format.

There are seven sections, each containing questions and answers. On the left page is a one sentence answer to a question for the chapter, then there is a simple explanation. On the right page, there are quotations confirming and illustrating the discussion on the left page.

2. It is important

Martin Luther (1483–1546) and John Calvin (1509–64) regularly said there were “two words” that you find in the Bible: Law and Gospel. Calvin’s successor, Theodore Beza (1519–1605), echoed many leaders in the Reformation when he wrote in The Christian Faith, “We divide this Word into two principal parts or kinds: the one is called the ‘Law,’ the other the ‘Gospel.’ For all the rest can be gathered under the one or other of these two headings.” Both Lutheran and Reformed understood the value of grasping this theological concept.

3. It is very practical

The Bible is a very large book full of a wide variety of genres. How can a person get their arms around it to understand it properly?

The Law/Gospel distinction helps differentiate between the promises and the commandments in the Bible. It prevents promises and commandments from being blended. A Law/Gospel hermeneutic (how to interpret the Scriptures) equips Bible readers and teachers in their endeavors to “rightly divide the Word,” assisting them in deciding if a passage is either law (“do”) or gospel (“done”). It is hard to figure out the meaning of God’s Word without understanding this difference.

This book also shows how the Law/Gospel distinction helps in everything from assurance of salvation to parenting.

Essentially, the Law/Gospel distinction asks these two questions:

• Does this passage require me to do something?
• Does this passage tell me about something that has been (or, looking forward from the Old Testament, shall be) done for me?

4. It provides answers to objections

• If the Law/Gospel distinction is so critical, why have many never heard of it?
• Is not the Law/Gospel distinction strictly Lutheran?
• Why would anyone oppose this doctrine?
• Are there not “gospel imperatives” in the Bible?
• Does the Law/Gospel distinction lead people into Antinomianism?

May the Lord use this short (100, easy to read pages) for his glory!

Note

1. Theodore Beza, The Christian Faith, trans. James Clark (Lewes, UK: Christian Focus, 1992).

P. S. Heidelblog readers might want to check out the dedication.

You can order this book here: Mike Abendroth, Law/Gospel: A Primer (Independently published, Amazon, 2024).

©Mike Abendroth. All Rights Reserved.

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Post authored by:

• Mike Abendroth

  

  Mike Abendroth (MDiv, DMin) is Senior Pastor of Bethlehem Bible Church (West Boyleston, MA), where he has served since 1997. He is host of No Compromise Radio and author of Jesus Christ: The Prince of Preachers (2007), The Sovereignty and Supremacy of King Jesus (2011), Things that Go Bump in the Church (2014), Discovering Romans (2014), Sexual Fidelity (2015) and Evangelical White Lies (2016). He is married with with four children. When not enjoying his family he is often found on a bicycle.

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