Confessional Lutheran Dogmatics Series: Law and Gospel and the Means of Grace, Vol. XI, 238 pgs, hardcover

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By David P. Scaer

This dogmatic resource is based upon the outline and thought pattern of the Lutheran Confessions.

The series is strictly and consciously confessional in its presentation of doctrine and its assessment and analysis of modern theological trends throughout the Christian church.

CONTENTS

Preface to the General Introduction
Author’s Preface
Abbreviations

Part One: Law and Gospel
1. Law and Gospel: Defining the Terms
2. Human Existence under the Law and the Gospel
3. Law and Gospel as Revelation of God and Principle of Proclamation
4. The Third Use of the Law
5. Law and Gospel in the Twentieth Century

Part Two: The Means of Grace
6. The Means of Grace: The Meaning of a Phrase
7. The Word as a Means of Grace
8. Sacraments as Means of Grace
9. Word and Sacraments as Distinct Means of Grace
10. God and the Sacraments
11. Sacraments and Created Things
12. Means of Grace: Extending the Boundaries
13. The Means of Grace and Prayer
14. The Means of Grace and Non-Lutheran Churches
15. The Holy Spirit, the Means of Grace, and Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements
16. The Philosophical and Historical Roots of Reformed Thought

Conclusion
Bibliography
Indices

From the book

“According to a confessional Lutheran understanding, the law lays down God’s requirements or regulations in such a way that sinful people by themselves cannot fulfill them. Those who understand the law’s message in this way are aware they face eternal death for which there is no relief. Such preaching of the law leads them to repent of their sins with sorrow and contrition. In what appears to be a contradiction God offers in the gospel the sweet hope of salvation in Jesus Christ. The gospel creates faith, which in turn lays hold of Christ who is present in this proclamation, and by this faith the believer accepts the promises of eternal bliss with Him… Law confronts human beings in the condition of their sins and alienation from God, and gospel offers a completed salvation in Jesus Christ. Both are equally valid words of God, which when preached in tandem, make Christians aware that they are sinners and God’s redeemed children at the same time.” [pp. 4 & 5]

About the Author

Dr. David P. Scaer is Professor of Systematic Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  Perhaps the most prolific confessional Lutheran scholar of his generation, he is the author of numerous books and articles and a frequent commentator in a wide range of periodicals, most especially Concordia Theological Quarterly, of which he is the editor.