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Handling the Word of the Truth: Revised Edition
Handling the Word of Truth—Revised Edition takes Walther’s twenty-five theses on the proper distinction between Law and Gospel and offers a fresh exposition for modern Christians. The revised edition is updated to work in tandem with the new edition of Walther’s classic work Law & Gospel: How to Read and Apply the Bible. Pless provides a solid introduction both to the theological framework of Law & Gospel and to the variety of life settings and issues that require God’s people to think about and act on their faith. The book serves as an entry point to access Walther’s text and helps believers to read, understand, and apply God’s Word to life’s many circumstances through reflection and discussion.
168 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 26, 2004
26 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
John T. Pless
40 books11 followersRev. John T. Pless joined the Concordia Theological Seminary (CTSFW), Fort Wayne, faculty in 2000. He is assistant professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions and also serves as director of Field Education.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 2, 2025
“The Law tells us about ourselves. What it shows us is not good. It diagnoses the sickness of our sin and puts death before us. The Gospel, on the other hand, shows us the pure grace and favor of God in Jesus Christ, who is the friend of real flesh-and-blood sinners. It shows us a God who is not against us but for us, even to the point of death on the cross” (32).
“…to mix the Gospel into the Law is to create the illusion that the Law offers hope. Inserted into the Law, the Gospel weakens but does not remove the threat of the Law. Such a blending of Law and Gospel invites sinners to place their confidence in their own efforts— "motivated by the Gospel" as it is said. The Law is lifted up as a set of principles or rules that may be obeyed and fulfilled with the aid of God's grace” (53).
“The Law never finds righteousness; it only confirms unrighteousness. The Gospel never finds righteousness; it only gives and bestows righteousness” (57)
“Sanctification is always a return to justification. It is an error to make justification nothing more than an entryway to the renewed life as though forgiveness of sins was only needed initially and then one could move on to something greater, like sanctification” (67).
“Faith is not a commitment that we can muster. Faith is not doing our part. Faith is not a decision that we make for Christ. Faith is that trust in the mercy of God in Jesus Christ that is created by the promises of God” (86-87).
“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” (136).
“…to mix the Gospel into the Law is to create the illusion that the Law offers hope. Inserted into the Law, the Gospel weakens but does not remove the threat of the Law. Such a blending of Law and Gospel invites sinners to place their confidence in their own efforts— "motivated by the Gospel" as it is said. The Law is lifted up as a set of principles or rules that may be obeyed and fulfilled with the aid of God's grace” (53).
“The Law never finds righteousness; it only confirms unrighteousness. The Gospel never finds righteousness; it only gives and bestows righteousness” (57)
“Sanctification is always a return to justification. It is an error to make justification nothing more than an entryway to the renewed life as though forgiveness of sins was only needed initially and then one could move on to something greater, like sanctification” (67).
“Faith is not a commitment that we can muster. Faith is not doing our part. Faith is not a decision that we make for Christ. Faith is that trust in the mercy of God in Jesus Christ that is created by the promises of God” (86-87).
“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” (136).
August 5, 2025
We really NEED the law-gospel distinction
January 21, 2023
This is a book that I could read every year.
Handling the Word of Truth is an incredibly helpful primer on the distinction between Law and Gospel in Scripture. Pless seeks to condense a 19th century work by C.F.W. Walther called The Proper Distinction between Law and Gospel into a short, accessible book for Christians of all stripes.
The distinction between Law and Gospel is paramount in hermeneutics. The Law comprises God’s commands. The Gospel comprises God’s promises. The Law is the imperative. The Gospel is the declarative. These two doctrines, the Law and the Gospel, go hand in hand. But they must be distinguished from one another. If the two become mingled, then the Gospel is lost and the proclamation we hear keeps us in despair without hope of salvation. When they are distinguished, they do their work. The Law condemns us and shows us our sinfulness and our inability to do what God commands. When we find ourselves condemned by the Law, the Gospel comes in and proclaims, “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone. It can never be earned by our adherence to the Law.
The Law and Gospel are both the word of God. But the Gospel always has the final word.
Handling the Word of Truth is an incredibly helpful primer on the distinction between Law and Gospel in Scripture. Pless seeks to condense a 19th century work by C.F.W. Walther called The Proper Distinction between Law and Gospel into a short, accessible book for Christians of all stripes.
The distinction between Law and Gospel is paramount in hermeneutics. The Law comprises God’s commands. The Gospel comprises God’s promises. The Law is the imperative. The Gospel is the declarative. These two doctrines, the Law and the Gospel, go hand in hand. But they must be distinguished from one another. If the two become mingled, then the Gospel is lost and the proclamation we hear keeps us in despair without hope of salvation. When they are distinguished, they do their work. The Law condemns us and shows us our sinfulness and our inability to do what God commands. When we find ourselves condemned by the Law, the Gospel comes in and proclaims, “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone. It can never be earned by our adherence to the Law.
The Law and Gospel are both the word of God. But the Gospel always has the final word.
May 16, 2025
4.5/5 stars. Helpful introduction into the law-gospel distinction and summary of Dr. C. F. W. Walthers lectures on the topic. I recommend!
September 2, 2020
I appreciate many things about this book: it’s writing, it’s content, and it’s timely sensibilities. I first read it in 2005, when it was first released, but it is still a resource I turn to. Page by page I enjoy it with a growing appreciation. Even though it’s something of a summary of CFW Walther’s Law and Gospel, its language remains fresh, undated, and a pleasing mix of explanation and one-liners!
Seriously, there are lines that just make me stop and think. Good, solid, well-crafted masterpieces of theological sentences! lol Otherwise, you know, it’s paragraph by paragraph and possibly a little on the academic side in writing style.
I really appreciate John Pless as a reader, writer, professor, and theologian. I highly recommend this enter into a regular reading rotation with Walther’s Law and Gospel . I know LCMS pastors who take turns reading between the two and we laymen can benefit from that very thing, too. 🙂 After all, handling the Word isn’t reserved just for pastors! It’s necessary in so many ways throughout our days and seasons in life!
As a writer, I find it important in my personal life as well as my professional life. Want to seek balance in what you’re writing? Want to avoid presuming how your audience may respond to certain turns of phrase? Law and Gospel is not only true, revealed in Scripture, and a distinction given by God, but it’s so, so very handy when dealing with other human beings!!! And oneself!!!
I’d honestly be happy to recommend John Pless’s Handling the Word of Truth: Law and Gospel in the Church Today book to anyone.
Seriously, there are lines that just make me stop and think. Good, solid, well-crafted masterpieces of theological sentences! lol Otherwise, you know, it’s paragraph by paragraph and possibly a little on the academic side in writing style.
I really appreciate John Pless as a reader, writer, professor, and theologian. I highly recommend this enter into a regular reading rotation with Walther’s Law and Gospel . I know LCMS pastors who take turns reading between the two and we laymen can benefit from that very thing, too. 🙂 After all, handling the Word isn’t reserved just for pastors! It’s necessary in so many ways throughout our days and seasons in life!
As a writer, I find it important in my personal life as well as my professional life. Want to seek balance in what you’re writing? Want to avoid presuming how your audience may respond to certain turns of phrase? Law and Gospel is not only true, revealed in Scripture, and a distinction given by God, but it’s so, so very handy when dealing with other human beings!!! And oneself!!!
I’d honestly be happy to recommend John Pless’s Handling the Word of Truth: Law and Gospel in the Church Today book to anyone.
March 27, 2014
This book gave really great and clear distinctions between Law and Gospel. Super easy to understand and very helpful if you minister to others in any way. I loved the reflection questions at the end of the chapters too because they made you dig deeper into the Bible as a way to expand understanding. Really, this is what anyone who studies the Bible should do anyway, but it's more helpful to associate the application of Law and Gospel with what the Bible actually says.
While I have one or two theological differences with the author, they don't get in the way of enjoying all of the pluses in this book.
While I have one or two theological differences with the author, they don't get in the way of enjoying all of the pluses in this book.
May 10, 2012
Great read about what the Lutheran church believes--that we cannot get to heaven by works...only by faith alone and the gracious gift of Salvation from Jesus Christ.
November 3, 2014
excellent book! Read in collaboration with Walther and it's even better
August 10, 2011
A concise primer on Law and Gospel using Walther's classic text as a guide.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews