The Law-Gospel Debate: An Interpretation of Its Historical Development
Overview
In this early work from "one of the defining theologians of American Lutheranism," Gerhard O. Forde provides a superlative interpretation of more than 150 years of modern law-gospel debate. In presenting this history, he examines the positions of such outstanding theologians as J. C. K. von Hofmann (the "father of Heilsgeschichte"), Theodosius Harnack, Albrecht Ritschl, Karl Barth, Werner Elert, Helmut Thielicke, Gustaf Wingren, and Hans Iwand, before offering his own proposal for an understanding of the gospel as God's final word which "breaks the continuity of the law." Contemporary students of the law-gospel dialectic will find here a wealth of critical background, as well as the groundwork for Forde's mature thinking on the work of Christ, gospel, law, and eschatology.
Get an even better deal on these resources when you order the Fortress Lutheran Library Expansion Bundle.
Key Features
- Examines the relationship between law and Gospel in Christian theology
- Features reflection from a defining Lutheran theologian
- Explores the law-gospel divide in biblical and systematic theology
- Provides a distinct alternative to the emerging "New Perspective on Paul"
Top Highlights
“To sum up, the traditional distinction between gospel and law was subordinated to Barth’s distinction between the Word of God and the word of man. Gospel and law must then be related to one another as content and form of the one Word of God which is always grace. On this basis Barth said that law, if it is really the expression of the will of God, must follow gospel.” (Page 140)
“The publication of grace, therefore, establishes the law and is to be met by the obedience of faith.” (Page 139)
“God’s Word, for Barth, could be either law or gospel, but since it is God’s Word it is always grace” (Page 139)
“is the question of who really is the one who uses the law” (Page 206)
“law theoretically by means of a systematic construction.” (Page 120)
Professor Forde analyzes the stimulating discussion that has been going on among theologians during the last century and a half. His selection of representatives is excellent, his exposition of their thought is lucid, and his criticism of their contentions is discerning. . . . Although the debate about law and gospel cannot be said to have ended, nobody can read this book without coming to a new appreciation of the tremendous importance of the issue not only for hermeneutics and dogmatics but also for social ethics and preaching.
—Theodore G. Tappert, Lutheran Quarterly
- Title: The Law-Gospel Debate: An Interpretation of Its Historical Development
- Author: Gerhard O. Forde
- Publisher: Fortress Press
- Print Publication Date: 2007
- Logos Release Date: 2016
- Pages: 264
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Law and gospel › History of doctrines
- ISBNs: 9780800662301, 9780806608204, 080066230X, 080660820X
- Resource ID: LLS:LWGSPLHSDVLPMNT
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T01:26:21Z