“Are you getting in the Word?”
“You gotta get in the Word.”
Christians hear phrases like this constantly. They sound deeply spiritual and unquestionably biblical. But when you stop and think about them, they are often so broad and undefined that they become practically meaningless. What exactly does that mean?
In the Reformation tradition, Scripture is not merely a religious book we study. Scripture is how God Himself speaks to His people. And when God speaks in Scripture, He speaks in two fundamentally different ways: law and gospel. These two words of God do radically different things. Read more»
John Fonville | ““Get in the Word”?
Recovering the Reformation Distinction Between Law and Gospel” | May 13, 2026
RESOURCES
- Subscribe to The Heidelblog!
- Download the HeidelApp on Apple App Store or Google Play
- Browse the Heidelshop!
- The Heidelblog Resource Page
- Heidelmedia Resources
- The Ecumenical Creeds
- The Reformed Confessions
- The Heidelberg Catechism
- The Heidelberg Catechism: A Historical, Theological, & Pastoral Commentary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2025)
- Recovering the Reformed Confession (Phillipsburg: P&R Publishing, 2008)
- Why I Am A Christian
- What Must A Christian Believe?
- Heidelblog Contributors
- Support Heidelmedia: use the donate button or send a check to
Heidelberg Reformation Association
1637 E. Valley Parkway #391
Escondido CA 92027
USA
The HRA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
John Fonville
John Fonville, originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, is an ordained presbyter in the Anglican Church in North America, serving in the Diocese of the Rocky Mountains. He is the founder of Paramount Church, the Director of The Center for Reformation Anglicanism, and an author with Moody Publishing. John graduated from Gardner-Webb University (BA), earned his MDiv at The Master’s Seminary, and his DMin at Ligonier Academy. He and his wife, Kathryn, have six children.
More by John Fonville ›
Law says
do or die.
Keep me perfectly, perpetually and personally.
Gospel says
Christ done perfectly, is doing it for us personally ever living to make intercession
Get in the Word, and get the Word in you
Great summary! So many people fail to make the proper distinction, and look to the law in the Bible as required for a right standing with God, when is only Christ who can obey it perfectly as God requires, on our behalf. Only by faith, that trusts in His righteousness alone, can we be justified before God. The Law, which says you must do this perfectly leads to despair. The gospel which says Christ has obeyed the Law perfectly as your representative and died to pay the penalty you deserve, brings peace and joy.