After a conference address that expounded the doctrine of justification by faith and showed its contemporary importance, the following comments were overheard during a coffee break. Continue reading →
Preaching Sola Fide Better
Law and Gospel Distinction
The Rich Young Ruler: Law, Gospel, And Salvation
Join Chris Gordon and Dan Borvan as they dive into the story of the Rich Young Ruler from Mark 10:17-27. Continue reading →
Colquhoun Contra Final Salvation Through Works
If he knows not the difference between the law and the gospel, he will be apt, especially in the affair of justification, to confound the one with the other. The consequence will be that in his painful experience, bondage will be mixed . . . Continue reading →
Colquhoun: The Law And The Gospel Both Promise Eternal Life
The law, as it has a promise of life, is very unlike the gospel. The former promises eternal life to a man on condition of his own perfect obedience and of the obedience of no other, whereas the latter promises it on . . . Continue reading →
Why Evangelicals Cannot Be Trusted With The Bible
Carolyn Arends wants to give an argument for the benefits of God’s moral law, but she lacks the categories by which to do it. Her argument has only two categories: good/bad, and relationships. The title and subtitle of her essay should alarm . . . Continue reading →
Colquhoun: The Law Cannot Give What It Demands
The law shows us “what manner of persons [we ought] to be in all holy conversation and godliness” (2 Peter 3:11), but it does not inform us by what means we may become such (Luke 10:27–28). Whereas, the gospel teaches us how . . . Continue reading →
Colquhoun: The Law In Its Commanding Power Differs Much From The Gospel
The law in its commanding power differs much from the gospel. The law says, “Do and you shall live; you shall, by performing personal and perfect obedience, entitle yourselves to eternal life” (see Matt. 19:17). Whereas the gospel says, “Live, for all . . . Continue reading →
Colquhoun: The Proper Preaching Of The Law Is Not Legalistic
…a minister of the gospel may often preach the law to his hearers and yet not deserve to be called a legal preacher. He cannot preach the gospel faithfully and successfully unless he preaches the law in subservience to it. If he . . . Continue reading →
Dr Clark With Dr Michael Horton And Keith Foskey On The Distinction Between Law And Gospel
In this interview our own Dr Clark sat down with his Westminster Seminary California colleague Dr Mike Horton and with pastor Keith Foskey while they were together at the recent Re-Formation Conference at Paramount Church, Jacksonville, FL to answer questions about and . . . Continue reading →
Luther Distinguished Law And Gospel In 1519
Now, what need is there to go through all of Latomus, point by point, since what has been said thoroughly refutes his entire position and confirms mine? I have sufficiently shown that his whole work consists of begging the question, for he . . . Continue reading →
Hot Off The Press: A Primer On Distinguishing Law And Gospel
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 . . . Continue reading →
Sibbes: The Ascended Christ Is Our Contentment
Christ’s ascension is a ground of contentment in all conditions. What if we lack comfort, houses, or anything on earth, when we have heaven provided for us, and glory provided for us in our Head? Will not any condition content a man . . . Continue reading →
POPLL: An Alternative To Christian Nationalism (And Theonomy, Christian Reconstruction, Theocracy, And Christendom) (Pt 9)
So far in this series we have considered four ways that Christians can engage secular politics in our time, between the ascension and return of Christ: Prayer, Organize, Persuade, Legislate, and Litigate. Certainly the first point, prayer, cannot be controversial, since Scripture . . . Continue reading →
POPLL: An Alternative To Christian Nationalism (And Theonomy, Christian Reconstruction, Theocracy, And Christendom) (Pt 8)
The fourth of our five points of Christian citizenship is Legislate. Last time we considered briefly what it means to legislate, i.e., to draft and pass a law, but how does it happen? How does one become a legislator and how does . . . Continue reading →
POPLL: An Alternative To Christian Nationalism (And Theonomy, Christian Reconstruction, Theocracy, And Christendom) (Pt 7)
One of the great errors of the American Christian Nationalists is that they have given up on the American project before they have actually attempted the act of citizenship. They complain endlessly about the so-called “post-World War II consensus,” which they never . . . Continue reading →
POPLL: An Alternative To Christian Nationalism (And Theonomy, Christian Reconstruction, Theocracy, And Christendom) (Pt 6)
I have been laboring over the middle rubric of the POPLL agenda, namely persuasion, because it is much neglected and yet central to Christian social engagement in a democratic republic like the USA. I am also laboring over it because it is . . . Continue reading →
Luther: Only Christ’s Merits And Works Save
Listen to this: For Christ alone it is proper to help and save others with His merits and works. The works of others are of benefit to no one, not to themselves either; for the statement stands: “The just shall live by . . . Continue reading →
Luther: Salvation Through Law Keeping Leads Not To Greater Holiness
Those who seek to be justified through the works of the Law not only fail to crucify their flesh but even increase its lusts—so far are they from being able to be justified. For the Law is the strength of sin (1 . . . Continue reading →
Luther: The Power Of The Gospel Leads Us To Love The Law
Behold, this is the doctrine and the power of the Gospel and the treasure by which we are saved, which brings us to the point that we also begin to fulfill the Law. For where the great unfathomable love and favor of . . . Continue reading →
Colquhoun: Ignorance Of The Distinction Between Law And Gospel Fuels Self Righteousness
Ignorance of the difference between the law and the gospel promotes also, in a great degree, the strength and influence of a self-righteous temper. When a man is driven to acts of obedience by the dread of God’s wrath revealed in the . . . Continue reading →