The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel

by C.F.W. Walther

A transcript of C.F.W. Walther's Friday evening lectures in 1884 at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO. Transcribed from the public domain 1929 Concordia Publishing House edition.

Scripture translation in this edition has been changed to the English Standard Version; an alternate edition preserving the King James Version (KJV) is also available.

The Indexes by E. Eckhardt are not included in this electronic edition as the media permits easy full-text searches.

Genres: Theology, Religion, Christianity, Christian, Nonfiction

452 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1929

About the author

Carl Ferdinand Wilhelm Walther was the first President of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod and its most influential theologian. He is commemorated by that church on its Calendar of Saints on May 7.

Reviews

[Ken McGuire · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the back cover, it says it is about "Theology & Doctrine/Doctrines". But this is not any stuffy theology by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, it is at least as much about pastoral care as it is about theology. If you want a highly original treatment on any theological theme, look elsewhere. Walther has no interest in that. There is very little really new here. Just about all of it is in the Lutheran Confessions.

But if you want to hear about how to apply the scriptures to real people and how our Lutheran Theology is truly practical, read this book. In fact, I think if you ever have to talk about the faith, read this book. Your hearers will thank you for it.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is essential for thinking through what it means to rightly preach and apply the Law and Gospel. It is both beautiful and enriching. Though I’m Presbyterian and look past some of the Lutheran theology (and mischaracterizations of Reformed views), there’s too much gold to mine from this book.

[Kris]

Cited in The Christian Life: Cross or Glory?.

[Ronnie Nichols · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked the up under the suggestion that it is one of the top books on the subject. One thing that the Lutheran's rightly emphasize is the distinction between Law and Gospel. This book is a collection of lectures by C.F.W. Walther that certainly does just that. He is a very apt teacher and very good and explaining his doctrine. The reader will find plenty to glean here and if you're Lutheran there is plenty to Amen. However, the animosity between Lutheran and Reformed theology is apparent and I found his ecclesiology and soteriology synergistic and man centered and very much lacking. Worth the read, but if you are reformed you can probably find enough writing on this subject in your own camp.

[Aaron Cliff · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the Gospel, but I something about this book seemed reductionist; I do think that the forgiveness of sins is a very loud and solid throughline in scripture, and that of the law being a life giving if fulfilled but death inducing if not also being a strong throughline, however I don't think that's what every single passage in the bible is talking about. The promises of God are more than just forgiveness of sin, although they can be helpfully reduced to them.

All in all, well worth the read.

[Steve Bauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most important books on further understanding law and gospel beyond the basics.

[Philip Meinel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will take a lifetime to learn, and I'll be referring back to this book for guidance.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is written by the first president of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. Well, technically, he spoke weekly sermons to seminary students over the course of a year and they wrote it all down. So that is something to know about this book: it is a series of lectures to seminary students.

This book is like finding the key that unlocks Bible interpretation. In short, if a Bible passage instructs *you* to do anything (honor your parents, take up your cross, rejoice in the Lord) then that passage is Law. There is nothing wrong with that! The Law is good. We should keep and obey them. But they cannot save us.

If you read a Bible passage and it describes something *God* did for you (Jesus dying on the cross, take eat this is my body given for y0u, the gift of the Holy Spirit given in baptism, saved by grace through faith) then that passage is Gospel. We receive the Gospel through no merit or worthiness in ourselves. It is a free gift which me must accept to be saved.

The book proceeds to describe the many, Many, MANY ways people, especailly preachers, conflate the Law and Gospel and thereby destroy (or at least muddle) the Scriptures.

I recommend this book to anyone that is interested in rightly dividing the Word of Truth. But keep in mind these are lectures to Lutheran seminary students in 1880s.

[ryj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Banger.

[Juan Carabajal · Rating 5 out of 5]

La llave hermenéutica del Luteranismo. Ideal para pastores, maestros y todos los que quieren saber sobre como interpretar la Biblia de la manera correcta.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel by C. F. W. Walther (1811-1887) is a seminal work of American Lutheran theology. A collection of 39 lectures given by Walther during 1884 and 1885, it is widely taught in Lutheran college- and seminary-level theology courses.

In classic Lutheran theology, “Law” is used to denote those parts of Scripture that reveal God’s demands on humanity, while the “Gospel” reveals the gracious and free salvation earned and given by Jesus.

Like Martin Luther before him, Walther argues that failing to properly distinguish Law and Gospel can lead Christian theology in unwanted directions. Specifically, it drives people to seek salvation in their own efforts and works rather than in Christ’s. That’s not only bad for people—for no one is blameless before divine Law—but it also robs Jesus of the glory due him as Redeemer.

Many of the particular theological movements and trends Walther uses as negative examples have disappeared. Likewise, the denominational theologies he critiques have changed since 1885. Finally, his rhetorical tone might sometimes strike contemporary readers as unnecessarily harsh.

Still, Walther’s core theological agenda has worn well over time. He centers his lectures on 25 theses, nearly all of which remain helpful guides for Christian teaching and preaching. He distills decades of personal and pastoral experience into an overall argument that seeks to give Christ his proper glory as our savior and that seeks to comfort sinners by leading them only to Christ.

Walther addressed his lectures to pastors and seminary students, so he spends a lot of time discussing the Lutheran confessional documents and writings from Luther himself. Personally, I wish he’d spent more time working through his scriptural citations, which are often quite good. At the same time, the material from Luther is always good and helps to show Law and Gospel at work in real situations.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book on a series of lectures that Dr. C.F.W. Walther, the first president of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, gave to seminary students in the 1880's (if I remember right). I read it for a class in college and it perfectly breaks down this theological principle that helps define who we are as Lutherans. It makes for an adjusted view of how one reads scripture when they realize that it is through the law/gospel filter that we come to a truer understanding of our faith.

[Dwight · Rating 3 out of 5]

39 lectures to seminary students in 1884-1885. Translated from German.

Does a good job of pointing out when Law and Gospel are to be used in sermons, the difference between them, and the primacy of the Gospel.

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got an excerpt only of this one in the mail. It was good though, seems like an interesting german chap, this Walther. How to distinguish and then apply Law and Gospel are great questions.

The apply part must be fuller in the fuller version, imagine that.

[Jonathan Rodebaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a gem. Walther meticulously points out the vast array of troubles associated with incorrectly mingling law and gospel. Even though this is a staunch Lutheran work, all denominations would do well to read this work.

[Douglas V. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book that I encourage every pastor to read. Walther was one of the few theologians and pastors in the 19th century who truly understood the proper distinction between the Law and the Gospel.

[Christopher Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essential reading for Lutherans - Missouri or otherwise.

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pastors should study this every year!

[Jay D]

Great for Calvinists heading out of of Calvinism.

[Lora · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very deep but excellent book. If you want to learn how to teach God's word properly then this is the one to read.

[Tr Sandersfeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting book to help one distinguish between the Law and Gospel taken from 39 of Walther's lectures.

[Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This should be read by everyone every 2-3 years. Great insight and application.

[Dale Critchley · Rating 5 out of 5]

While somewhat dated in cultural references, the teachings hold true. It strikes me that some who vocally and belligerently proclaim Walther should go back and read this again.

[Alyse Lasley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a quick read, but a thorough study on how the Scripture directs humns to salvation. A must read for seminarians and teachers of theology.