The Wittenberg Trail
Your Path to the Authentic, Historic & Catholic Faith
Martin Luther
"The commandments are not given inappropriately or pointlessly; but in order that through them the proud, blind man may learn the plague of his impotence, should he try to do as he is commanded."
"By the law is the knowledge of sin' [Rom 3:20], so the word of grace comes only to those who are distressed by a sense of sin and tempted to despair."
"The law discovers the disease. The gospel gives the remedy."
Wittenberg Trail
Bookstore
Evangelical Liturgical Lutheran
Congregations
The Book of Concord - The Lutheran
Confessions
Lutheran Online - Law & Gospel for
the Internet Generation
Law
& Gospel
"But the law is the prelude to the Gospel. Those broken by the Law are convinced of their need and of their inability to save themselves. Then the message that God does it all comes as an astounding relief, as good news. Those who despair of achieving perfection by themselves can hear the message of the cross - that they can find totally free forgiveness through the work of Jesus Christ - and cling to it, desperately, with every fiber of their being. Then they become open to God's life-changing gifts." Veith
There
are different views of the Law and Gospel among Christians.
As you continue on the
Wittenberg Trail,
here is information on how Lutherans understand both Law
and Gospel.
For a great introduction to Law & Gospel, please click
on The Law & Gospel Encounter
Part of the "Rule of
Faith"
includes the proper understanding of Law and Gospel when
reading and interpreting the Scriptures.
Robert Hoerber, in his introduction to the Concordia
Self-Study Bible, states that the law
"Shows Our Sins, while the gospel Shows Our
Savior".
He further adds:
"The entire Bible contains both law and gospel, the Old Testament as well as the New. ...Any serious study of Scripture must recognize both law and gospel and must distinguish between them. To omit either one or to confuse the two invites a misunderstanding of Christian doctrine. Preaching the atoning ministry, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ without first proclaiming the sinfulness of the human race is an exercise in folly.
The gospel must be preached by a proclamation of the law, which shows the hearers their need for a Savior, who has released them from the guilt and punishment of their sinfulness. Preaching the gospel apart from the law results in a diluted, shallow, emotional message. Likewise, to proclaim the law without the comforting truth of the gospel can offer no assurance to a troubled conscience."
Many evangelical and non-denominational churches have a different understanding Law and Gospel. Robert Hoerber states:
"...mingling law and gospel, or assigning the function of one to the other, is equally as dangerous. Statements such as, "You are saved if you believe" or "You are saved because you believe" are a mixing of law and gospel, for the words "if" and "because" imply conditions and contributions in addition to God's grace. The grace of God is complete and unconditional.
Our salvation is fully achieved by the suffering, death and resurrection of God's one and only Son, Jesus Christ. It does not depend on anything we do or have done - or any "if" or "because" on our part. To mix law and gospel is to pervert and destroy the sweet message of God's grace. Our faith is not our contribution or our work; it is a gift of God through the work of the Holy Spirit."
Law & Gospel Articles:
The Law and the Gospel: How Can A Mortal Be Righteous Before God?
Walther, Law & Gospel and the State of the Church Today
Law & Gospel
Fellow Patients in the Same Hospital: Law & Gospel in the Works of C.S. Lewis
Saint Ambrose on Law & Gospel
Visit
The Wittenberg Trail Online Community
What is the purpose of the Ten Commandments?
Rev.
Ernie Lassman, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in
Seattle, WA, posted this video on both his
church website and
on
YouTube.
Is Christianity only for good people?
Rev.
Ernie Lassman, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in
Seattle, WA, posted this video on both his
church website and
on
YouTube.
What does it mean to be spiritually dead?
Rev.
Ernie Lassman, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in
Seattle, WA, posted this video on both his
church website and
on
YouTube.
What does it mean we are saved by faith not by
works?
Rev.
Ernie Lassman, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in
Seattle, WA, posted this video on both his
church website and
on
YouTube.