Law and Gospel: A Theology for Sinners (and Saints)

I absolutely loved this book. Many books on theology or spirituality are too long, 20 pages of ideas stuffed into 250 pages of wood pulp. I found this one too short. The concepts and perspectives of each chapter left me wanting more time to think, more discussion and application.What a great problem to have!

The first time I picked up this book I was brand new to the distinction between the law and the gospel. I was hoping the book would help me get a basic understanding of and framework for applying the distinction. It didn't do this, but it did a good job of laying out the distinction, the importance of the distinction, and how though they are distinct, they compliment each other.

On February 20, 2010 a major shift occurred in my life. The pastor of my church read Galatians 5:20-21 which says “Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, jgrace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” I sat in the front of the church and wept. I think that was the day that I began to understand the difference between Law and Gospel.If you have no idea what I am talking about, a new book, Law and Gospel: A Theology for Sinners and Saints, by William McDavid, Ethan Richardson, and David Zahl will provide a great introduction to the distinction. Briefly, God gave us both the law and the gospel but they have different roles. The law was never given as a means of salvation, the law was given to show each of us our absolute inability to live up to God’s perfect standard. It is the gospel, the good news that Jesus Christ came to earth, lived a sinless life, was crucified on the cross, and was raised again to new life on my behalf that provides the power to save. It is Jesus who did the saving.The first half of the book is dedicated to exploring the role of the law and how it has overtaken many churches. From pulpits all over America, we hear messages of do more/try harder/pull yourself up by your bootstraps. But we fail, again and again. The law tells us what to do, but it is impossible for us to do it and so we stand accused. When people recognize their utter inability, lots of people give up.But, like good sermons should do, the book begins with the crushing power of the law, but finishes with the life giving power of the gospel. The authors show us that because of Christ’s love for us, he alone accomplished our salvation as a free gift. Then, in my favorite part of the book, they looked at the fruits of the gospel, of what Jesus did. The fruits they listed include: humility, receptivity, gratitude, spontaneity, humor, and freedom.If you have struggled to understand what Paul was talking about when he said that we are free in Christ, or what I mean when I saw the law/gospel distinction, please get this book.

For folks looking for a digestible, engaging, practical, and memorable explanation of the Law and its uses and the Gospel and its effects, HERE YOU GO. Written in the parlance of our times (no ivory tower ethereal nonsense here!) and meeting readers where they live and breathe, this little book walks us through the Law and its uses and consequences, in witty, sharp, and empathetic terms. From there it brings us News From Across The Sea -- a comPASSIONate announcement of hope and help that is outside us, the 'objective comfort' of the Good News.Not only do the Mockingbird writers illustrate the demands and effects of the 'capital L law of God' (of which we're sharply aware), they also tell us about the accusations we place upon ourselves with or without the help of the Bible -- the 'stalwart belief in our own inherent giddy-up', that old-fashioned optimism that places us under the accusation of innumerable little-l laws too. After offering 3 possible responses to the Law or the law (fight, flight, and appeasement, or a spectrum of all 3), we are given good news. About a person, about a gift, about forgiveness... "Christ is the final word on that score. This is not just good news. It is the BEST news." And don't miss the inspiring, tongue-in-cheek description of the fruits of the Gospel, along with very useful appendices (including a checklist for distinguishing between Law and Gospel, a defense against antinomianism, and a chat about vertical vs. horizontal law).For theological, practical, and skeptical readers alike, this is a must-read. For those need to be reminded of the Good News in new ways, through fresh eyes and terminology, it's an essential. For folks who say, 'yes, but, what about...?' the appendices are just for you! Suited to individual reading or group study, this is a handbook for how to read everything from The New York Times to The Book Of Proverbs in terms of the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I chose this book for an evening of study to prepare to write my book on why we should pray the Our Father.And I received mote than I deserved. As is always true with God’s grace.If you are seeking an understanding of the relationship of Law and Gospel read this book.

EXCELLENT