The Whole Christ: Legalism, Antinomianism, and Gospel Assurance―Why the Marrow Controversy Still Matters (edition 2016)

by Sinclair B. Ferguson (Author)

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Since the days of the early church, Christians have struggled to understand the relationship between two seemingly contradictory concepts in the Bible: law and gospel. If, as the apostle Paul says, the law cannot save, what can it do? Is it merely an ancient relic from Old Testament Israel to be discarded? Or is it still valuable for Christians today? Helping modern Christians think through this complex issue, seasoned pastor and theologian Sinclair Ferguson carefully leads readers to rediscover an eighteenth-century debate that sheds light on this present-day doctrinal conundrum: the Marrow Controversy. After sketching the history of the debate, Ferguson moves on to discuss the theology itself, acting as a wise guide for walking the path between legalism (overemphasis on the law) on the one side and antinomianism (wholesale rejection of the law) on the other.… (more)

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Member:	Tylerivey
Title:	The Whole Christ: Legalism, Antinomianism, and Gospel Assurance―Why the Marrow Controversy Still Matters
Authors:	Sinclair B. Ferguson (Author)
Info:	Crossway (2016), 256 pages
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The Whole Christ: Legalism, Antinomianism, and Gospel Assurance―Why the Marrow Controversy Still Matters by Sinclair B. Ferguson

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Truly excellent! I have not thought about legalism and antinomianism to this degree, what are their causes and relationships to one another, and what is their solution. There is also a very good discussion on assurance towards the end of the book. Highly commend to anyone. (

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jfranzone | Feb 14, 2024 |

Since the days of the early church, Christians have wrestled with the relationship between law and gospel. If, as the apostle Paul says, salvation is by grace and the law cannot save, what relevance does the law have for Christians today?
By revisiting the Marrow Controversy―a famous but largely forgotten eighteenth-century debate related to the proper relationship between God’s grace and our works―Sinclair B. Ferguson sheds light on this central issue and why it still matters today. In doing so, he explains how our understanding of the relationship between law and gospel determines our approach to evangelism, our pursuit of sanctification, and even our understanding of God himself.
Ferguson shows us that the antidote to the poison of legalism on the one hand and antinomianism on the other is one and the same: the life-giving gospel of Jesus Christ, in whom we are simultaneously justified by faith, freed for good works, and assured of salvation.

wpcalibrary | Jan 27, 2024 |

An excellent study of an 18th century theological controversy and its contemporary pastoral application. Beautiful exemplar of historical theological scholarship pitched to a popular audience. Especially good on assurance. I'll be returning to this over the years. (

)

LudieGrace | Aug 10, 2020 |

Well written - engaging - relevant - theologically deep. Uncovers the Morrow controversy and how it is relevant today. Particularly salient was Ferguson's point that the benefits of the Gospel cannot be separated from Jesus. Jesus is the good news. I would highly recommend! (

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KenMcLain | Jul 18, 2017 |

(1) What is repentance, and what is it not? (100)
(2) Distinguishing between covenant and contract (1115)
(3) Not "If" but "Therefore" (116)
(4) The Grace of Law (120)
(5) An inclusio stressing the goodness of the Law (165)
(6) To what extent has the Law ceased to be binding on the Christian? (170)
(7) Adam and the Law (170)
(8) The three elements of the Law fulfilled (171-172)
(9) Summary of John Calvin on assurance (191)
(10) For what do we seek assurance? (196)
(11) How do we know God? (200)
(12) How is assurance obtained (201)
(13) Thomas Boston seems to say that justification is salvation from the wrath of God, and sanctification is salvation from sin (234) (

)

jamesrrouse | Sep 19, 2020 |

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For
Walt and Joie
Chantry
with
gratitude and affection

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[Foreword] The volume in your hands is not just a helpful historical reflection; it is also a tract for the times.

[Introduction] The Whole Christ: Legalism, Antinomianism, and Gospel Assurance--Why the Marrow Controversy Still Matters sounds like a book title with a history. And so it is.

The story begins some three hundred years ago in a small Scottish town, at a meeting attended by perhaps a few dozen men.

[Conclusion] These "Variations on Some Themes from the Marrow Controversy" have now reached a conclusion, ending not with a climatic crescendo but with the calmer notes of a deep and well-grounded assurance.

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Sinclair Ferguson

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Since the days of the early church, Christians have struggled to understand the relationship between two seemingly contradictory concepts in the Bible: law and gospel. If, as the apostle Paul says, the law cannot save, what can it do? Is it merely an ancient relic from Old Testament Israel to be discarded? Or is it still valuable for Christians today? Helping modern Christians think through this complex issue, seasoned pastor and theologian Sinclair Ferguson carefully leads readers to rediscover an eighteenth-century debate that sheds light on this present-day doctrinal conundrum: the Marrow Controversy. After sketching the history of the debate, Ferguson moves on to discuss the theology itself, acting as a wise guide for walking the path between legalism (overemphasis on the law) on the one side and antinomianism (wholesale rejection of the law) on the other.

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Since the days of the early church, Christians have wrestled with the relationship between law and gospel. If, as the apostle Paul says, salvation is by grace and the law cannot save, what relevance does the law have for Christians today? By revisiting the Marrow Controversy--a famous but largely forgotten eighteenth-century debate related to the proper relationship between God's grace and our works--Sinclair B. Ferguson sheds light on this central issue and why it still matters today. In doing so, he explains how our understanding of the relationship between law and gospel determines our approach to evangelism, our pursuit of sanctification, and even our understanding of God himself. Ferguson shows us that the antidote to the poison of legalism on the one hand and antinomianism on the other is one and the same: the life-giving gospel of Jesus Christ, in whom we are simultaneously justified by faith, freed for good works, and assured of salvation.

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