During the last three years I have written a number of blog posts that deal with the topics of soft antinomianism, the Law and exhortation. For ease of access, I have brought them all together into once place and provide a brief description of each one.
A look at Titus and the manner in which Paul repeatedly
calls for good works – a call which he grounds in the Gospel.
A consideration of some of the key issues in the discussion
of “sanctification” including the distinction between sanctification, new
obedience and “sanctification”; regeneration by the Spirit and cooperation in
new obedience; the possibility of growth and progress in new obedience; and the
law’s third use.
A discussion of what I have termed “soft antinomianism”
in which the robust presence of language that exhorts or admonishes Christians
to godly living and good works is seen as a diminishing and denial of the
Gospel in preaching. This followed by a discussion of
Martin Luther’s antinomian theses and disputations
Martin Luther says in his 1535 Galatians
commentary, “Therefore it is as necessary that faithful
preachers urge good works as that they urge the doctrine of faith,” and “This
is why faithful preachers must exert themselves as much in urging a
love that is unfeigned or in urging truly good works as in teaching true
faith.” I discuss how this language flies
in the face of much Lutheran understanding about preaching and teaching today.
A discussion of how the apostolic pattern of exhortation and admonition
should help guide our preaching today.
A discussion of synergism – the good kind. Justification is a result of divine
monergism. Sanctification (understood in
the narrow sense) is a result of divine monergism. But new obedience takes
place through synergism (cooperation) of the new man working with the Spirit.
A discussion of how both Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions state
that an increase of in new obedience is possible, and what this means.
A discussion of how the simultaneous presence of the new man and the
old man in the believer necessitates that we balance two sets of truths.
A discussion what
soft antinomianism is, why the term “soft antinomianism”
is an accurate and helpful term of reference, and a brief account of its history.
An examination of next why soft antinomianism operates in this way in the way it does.
Some say soft antinomianism doesn't exist. This is a discussion of a classic example.
An examination of Walther's Law and Gospel which shows that Walther offers a very different
understanding of the Law and the preaching task than is offered by the soft
antinomianism of modern Lutheranism.
There are some who say that soft antinomianism does not exist. David Scaer provides a description of LCMS preaching today that matches it precisely.
Is Jesus and example and should we speak about him in this way. In his Church Postil Luther says that the answer is yes.
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