Walther on the Distinction between Law and Gospel

“There are certain substances that are, by themselves, salutary; but when they are mixed they are turned into poison.  That is what happens when Law and Gospel are mingled…  there arises a third substance, when Law and Gospel are confounded in a sermon.  The new substance is entirely foreign to either original substance and causes both of them to lose their virtue…  It is therefore a matter of utmost necessity that these two kinds of God’s Word be well and properly distinguished.  Where this is not done, neither the Law nor the Gospel can be understood, and the consciences of men must perish with blindness and error.”

C.F.W. Walther “The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel”

PS: on a sidebar, Walther is obviously the best looking theologian in the history of Lutheranism…

John Pless on the Distinction Between Law and Gospel

Sorry for the lack of original words from me lately.  Life’s been crazy busy.  So in lieu of originality here’s a gem from John Pless’ “Handling the Word of Truth:”

“When Law and Gospel are rightly divided, the Gospel comes out on top.  The Law must be spoken to diagnose the sin and expose the quackery of every remedy the sinner would devise to mitigate the disease.  But the Law always stands in service of the Gospel…  The Gospel alone can provide healing for the wounds uncovered the Law.  Troubled people with consciences torn by sin and hearts distressed by doubt will find no rest or peace in the Law…  The ultimate aim in our preaching of the Law must be to preach the Gospel…  The Gospel magnifies the merits of Christ and extols His work of redemption.  The Law is all about human beings, our sin, our failure, and ultimately our death.  The Gospel is all about Christ Jesus, His righteousness, His faithfulness, and His atoning death.  Because it is about us, the Law brings terror.  Because it is of Christ, the Gospel brings God’s own consolation and calms the terrified conscience.”

C.F.W. Walther Quote

“When we shall have arrived in our heavenly fatherland, this is what we shall say: ‘If I had my own way, I should have never found salvation; and even supposing I had found it by myself, I should have lost it again.  Thou, O God, dist come and draw me to Thy Word, partly by tribulation, partly by anguish of heart, partly by sickness, etc.  All these things Thou hast used as means to begin me into heaven, while I was always striving for perdition.’  Yonder we shall see — and marvel — that there has not been an hour when God did not work in us to save us, and that there has not been an hour when we — wanted to be saved.  Indeed, we are forced to say to God: ‘Thou alone hast redeemed me; Thous alone dost save me.’  Verily, as sure as there is a living God in heaven, I cannot do anything towards my salvation.”

C.F.W Walther “The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel”

For his story go to: http://liberate.org/2013/11/11/better-know-a-theologian-c-f-w-walther/