Classics

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Law and Gospel.

Theses

Thesis I.

The doctrinal contents of the entire Holy Scriptures, both of the Old and the New Testament, are made up of two doctrines differing fundamentally from each other, viz., the Law and the Gospel.

Thesis II.

Only he is an orthodox teacher who not only presents all articles of faith in accordance with Scripture, but also rightly distinguishes from each other the Law and the Gospel.

Thesis III.

Rightly distinguishing the Law and the Gospel is the most difficult and the highest art of Christians in general and of theologians in particular. It is taught only by the Holy Spirit in the school of experience.

Thesis IV.

The true knowledge of the distinction between the Law and the Gospel is not only a glorious light, affording the correct understanding of the entire Holy Scriptures, but without this knowledge Scripture is an remains a sealed book.

Thesis V.

The first manner of confounding Law and Gospel is the one most easily recognized — and the grossest. It is adopted, for instance, by Papists, Socinians, and Rationalists, and consists in this, that Christ is represented as a new Moses, or Lawgiver, and the Gospel turned into a doctrine of meritorious works, while at the same time those who teach that the Gospel is the message of the free grace of God in Christ are condemned and anathematized, as is done by the papists.

Thesis VI.

In the second place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when the Law is not preached in its full sternness and the Gospel not in its full sweetness, when, on the contrary, Gospel elements are mingled with the Law and Law elements with the Gospel.

Thesis VII.

In the third place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when the Gospel is preached first and then the Law; sanctification first and then justification; faith first and then repentance; good works first and then grace.

Thesis VIII.

In the fourth place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when the Law is preached to those who are already in terror on account of their sins, or the Gospel to those who live securely in their sins.

Thesis IX.

In the fifth place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when sinners who have been struck down and terrified by the Law are directed, not to the Word and the Sacraments, but to their own prayers and wrestlings with God in order that they may win their way into a state of grace; in other words, when thy are told to keep on praying and struggling until they feel that God has received them into grace.

Thesis X.

In the sixth place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when the preacher describes faith in a manner as if the mere inert acceptance of truths, even while a person is living in mortal sins, renders that person righteous in the sight of God and saves him; or as if faith makes a person righteous and saves him for the reason that it produces in him love and reformation of his mode of living.

Thesis XI.

In the seventh place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when there is a disposition to offer the comfort of the Gospel only to those who have been made contrite by the Law, not from fear of the wrath and punishment of God, but from love of God.

Thesis XII.

In the eighth place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when the preacher represents contrition alongside of faith as a cause of the forgiveness of sin.

Thesis XIII.

In the ninth place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when one makes an appeal to believe in a manner as if a person could make himself believe or at least help towards that end, instead of preaching faith into a person’s heart by laying the Gospel promises before him.

Thesis XIV.

In the tenth place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when faith is required as a condition of justification and salvation, as if a person were righteous in the sight of God and saved, not only by faith, but also on account of his faith, for the sake of his faith, and in view of his faith.

Thesis XV.

In the eleventh place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when the Gospel is turned into a preaching of repentance.

Thesis XVI.

In twelfth place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when the preacher tries to make people believe that they are truly converted as soon as they have become rid of certain vices and engage in certain works of piety and virtuous practises.

Thesis XVII.

In the thirteenth place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when a description is given of faith, both as regards its strength and the consciousness and productiveness of it, that does not fit all believers at all times.

Thesis XVIII.

In the fourteenth place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when the universal corruption of mankind is described in such a manner as to create the impression that even true believers are still under the spell of ruling sins and are sinning purposely.

Thesis XIX.

In the fifteenth place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when the preacher speaks of certain sins as if there were not of a damnable, but of a venial nature.

Thesis XX.

In the sixteenth place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when a person’s salvation is made to depend on his association with the visible orthodox Church and when salvation is denied to every person who errs in any article of faith.

Thesis XXI.

In the seventeenth place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when men are taught that the Sacraments produce salutary effects ex opere operato, that is, by the mere outward performance of a sacramental act.

Thesis XXII.

In the eighteenth place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when a false distinction is made between a person’s being awakened and his being converted; moreover, when a person’s inability to believe is mistaken for his not being permitted to believe.

Thesis XXIII.

In the nineteenth place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when an attempt is made by means of the demands or the threats or the promises of the Law to induce the unregenerate to put away their sins and engage in good works and thus become godly; on the other hand, when an endeavor is made, by means of the commands of the Law rather than by the admonitions of the Gospel, to urge the regenerate to do good.

Thesis XXIV.

In the twentieth place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when the unforgiven sin against the Holy Ghost is described in a manner as if it could not be forgiven because of its magnitude.

Thesis XXV.

In the twenty-first place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when the person teaching it does not allow the Gospel to have a general predominance in his teaching.


Select a Chapter to Read:

LawGospel

Title_Page
Preface_and_Introduction
Theses
Lecture_01_Thesis_I
Lecture_02_Thesis_I
Lecture_03_Thesis_I
Lecture_04_Thesis_II
Lecture_05_Thesis_II
Lecture_06_Thesis_III
Lecture_07_Thesis_III
Lecture_08_Thesis_IV
Lecture_09_Thesis_V
Lecture_10_Thesis_VI
Lecture_11_Thesis_VII
Lecture_12_Thesis_VIII
Lecture_13_Thesis_VIII
Lecture_14_Thesis_IX
Lecture_15_Thesis_IX
Lecture_16_Thesis_IX
Lecture_17_Thesis_IX
Lecture_18_Thesis_IX
Lecture_19_Thesis_IX
Lecture_20_Thesis_X
Lecture_21_Thesis_X
Lecture_22_Thesis_XI
Lecture_23_Thesis_XII
Lecture_24_Thesis_XIII
Lecture_25_Thesis_XIV
Lecture_26_Thesis_XV
Lecture_27_Thesis_XV
Lecture_28_Thesis_XVI
Lecture_29_Thesis_XVII
Lecture_30_Thesis_XVIII
Lecture_31_Thesis_XIX
Lecture_32_Thesis_XX
Lecture_33_Thesis_XXI
Lecture_34_Thesis_XXI
Lecture_35_Thesis_XXII
Lecture_36_Thesis_XXII
Lecture_37_Thesis_XXIII
Lecture_38_Thesis_XXIV
Lecture_39_Thesis_XXV
Sermons
About_the_Sermons
About_the_Author
The_Heavenly_Minded_Christian_in_His_Earthly_Calling
The_Restoration_of_the_Divine_Image_Through_Christ
The_Daily_Renewing_of_the_Christian_in_the_Image_of_God
Mans_Working_Together_With_God_After_Conversion
The_Folly_of_Those_Who_Serve_God_But_Do_Not_Want_to_Serve_Him_Alone
The_Disastrous_Results_of_Despising_Gods_Law
How_We_Must_Receive_Gods_Word_to_Be_Saved
Hearers_But_Not_Doers_of_the_Word_Deceive_Themselves
The_Attitude_of_Most_Men_Toward_Gods_Invitation_to_His_Heavenly_Marriage
Three_Signs_of_Having_the_True_Faith
The_Love_Toward_God
Gods_Wrath_on_the_Children_of_Disobedience_After_Christs_Reconciliation
Sermons_Part_2
The_Judgment_of_the_Sheep_Over_Their_Shepherds
The_Special_Comfort_of_Private_Absolution
They_Err_Who_Deny_Preachers_the_Power_to_Forgive_Sins
The_Keys_of_Death_and_Hell_the_Real_Fruit_of_the_Resurrection_of_Jesus_Christ
The_Greatness_and_Glory_of_the_Office_of_the_Gospel_Ministry
The_Ascension_of_Jesus_Christ_a_Sure_Foundation_of_Our_Faith
Why_Dare_and_Can_We_Never_Give_Up_the_Churchs_Struggle_for_the_Pure_Doctrine
Christs_Ship_on_the_Sea_of_Galilee_a_Picture_of_the_Church_of_Our_Times
Calvin's Institutes | Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ | Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis | Josephus: The Complete Works | Orthodoxy by Gilbert K. Chesterton (1874-1936) | Paul's Letter to the Believers at Colosse - A Series of Devotions by Pastor Randy Moll | The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan (1628-1688) | The Practice of the Presence of God: The Best Rule of Holy Life by Brother Lawrence (Nicholas Herman, 1605-1691) | Walther's Law and Gospel | Westminster Confession & Catechisms |
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