“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”- Matthew 16:25 Yesterday, another story broke that ISIS had killed Christians, simply for their profession of faith. This particular story involved 21 Coptic Christians, put to death for their faith in Christ. As I reflect on this tragedy, I also am reminded of the great promises that God gives to those who lose their own lives for his name. The... Read more
It’s quite an interesting thing to compare contemporary sexual ethos to those of early twentieth century America. Throughout the last century, there has been an extensive shift in views of human sexuality. Easy access to contraception took away the natural consequences of sex, and the practice of abortion has made it easier for one who was not responsible enough to even utilize contraception to continue to push off the natural consequences of sexual acts. The results have been numerous: sexual... Read more
Here is an article by Joel Biermann and Charles Arand titled “Why the Two Kinds of Righteousness?” This is a very helpful introduction for those who are interested in this discussion: Why the Two Kinds of Righteousness? There are, I think, some different nuances regarding 2KR in various figures who promote the distinction, so some aspects of Arand and Biermann’s approach may not be exactly identical to my own, but this is the best summary essay I have found on... Read more
There are several arguments leveled against a traditional law-gospel distinction as taught within Lutheran theology. One of those arguments surrounds the preface to the Ten Commandments. It is argued that the law and the gospel are not different words of God, because the two are expressed in conjunction with one another. The gospel is the basis for obedience to God’s law. Rich Lusk, for example, argues: the preface to the Ten Commandments indicates the law was given as a gift... Read more
Mark Jones briefly responded to my post in which I critiqued his book Antinomianism. His response can be found here. The response was largely disappointing, because Jones did not engage with the primary contention of the post, that the distinction between the two kinds of righteousness is a better manner in which to guard against antinomianism, because when utilizing that distinction, one will not utter utilize such confusing phrases as “good works are necessary for salvation.” I’m not sure that... Read more
On today’s program I was joined again by Rev. Lewis Polzin of the Boars in the Vineyard podcast and pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Bemidji Minnesota. We discussed the doctrine of man as we continue to read through Henry Eyster Jacobs’ book A Summary of the Christian Faith. Here is the program Read more
One of the distinctive marks of Lutheran preaching is the emphasis on law and gospel, sin and grace. We know that the law slays sinners before God, leading them to repentance and faith in the gospel. However, in my time in Lutheran parishes, one thing I’ve noticed is that pastors don’t always preach the law very well. The sermon begins with something like, “well, we are all sinners,” or “we all fall short of God’s glory” without anything more being... Read more
I’ve followed the writings of Mark Jones on Reformation 21 since he began writing on the site this past year, and spent time reading his book Antinomianism: Reformed Theology’s Unwelcome Guest? I’ve also listened to several interviews that Jones has done on his book in response to what he perceives to be a contemporary trend of antinomianism. As I’ve followed his thoughts on this topic, it has become apparent that Jones has overreacted to a real problem, and in doing... Read more
In traditional Reformed federal theology, a distinction is made between a covenant of works and a covenant of grace. It is argued that before the fall, Adam was placed in a covenant of works with God. In order to gain life, Adam had to be obedient to God’s will. In the prelapsarian state, therefore, Adam could merit his standing before God. After the fall, God instituted the covenant of grace in Genesis 3:15. This covenant of grace extends throughout the... Read more
It has often been said that legalism and antinomianism are two opposite poles of theology which need to be guarded against. Throughout Christian history, these two errors have been prominent, and careful theologians have attempted to keep a clear path between the two with a balanced approach to grace and works within the Christian life. Though they seem to be different errors, they really have the same basic problem: a failure to understand the two kinds of righteousness. For Luther,... Read more
Just and Sinner
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