The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel
Overview
The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel is made up of Walther’s Friday evening “Luther Hour” lectures at St. Louis’ Concordia, September 1864 through November 1885. Most feel that these were his greatest contribution to the church.
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- 39 evening lectures
- Foreword by Jaroslav Pelikan
- Preface and introduction by the translator
- Bibliographical references and indexes
Top Highlights
“The Law is to be preached to secure sinners and the Gospel to alarmed sinners.” (Page 17)
“Equally liable to misconstruction would be this statement: ‘Good works are not necessary; only faith.’ It would be correct to say: ‘Good works are not necessary to obtain salvation.’ But I cannot remain on the way to heaven if I am doing no good works. Besides, God has certainly commanded good works; He demands that we do good works.” (Page 56)
“In the third place, the Gospel does not require anything good that man must furnish: not a good heart, not a good disposition, no improvement of his condition, no godliness, no love either of God or men. It issues no orders, but it changes man. It plants love into his heart and makes him capable of all good works. It demands nothing, but it gives all. Should not this fact make us leap for joy?” (Page 16)
“The fifth point of difference between the Law and the Gospel concerns the effects of these two doctrines. What is the effect of the preaching of the Law? It is threefold. In the first place, the Law tells us what to do, but does not enable us to comply with its commands; it rather causes us to become more unwilling to keep the Law.” (Pages 13–14)
“In your tribulations you will become aware that the Gospel is a rare guest in men’s consciences, while the Law is their daily and familiar companion. For man has by nature the knowledge of the Law.” (Page 49)
- Title: The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel
- Author: C. F. W. Walther
- Translator: W. H. T. Dau
- Publisher: Concordia
- Publication Date: 1929
- Pages: 424
