tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11244887.post111386361510450707..comments2023-10-03T06:59:25.428-10:00Comments on The Joshua Victor Theory: A brief thought on Law-Gospel PreachingThe Joshua Victor Theoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03684296967627057287noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11244887.post-1114136606067023862005-04-21T16:23:00.000-10:002005-04-21T16:23:00.000-10:00Mutti Beck, there's no short answer to your questi...Mutti Beck, there's no short answer to your question, but ultimately if the message of the Gospel is contaminated with the Law, then it begins to lose its comfort (since it introduces a dependence on us) and it can therefore lead to despair. On the other hand, a legalistic Gospel can lead to hypocrisy or Pharisaism. John Pless wrote an excellent recent book titled "Handling the Word of Truth, Law and Gospel in the Church today". I think you'd find it helpful. We are going through it in my adult bible class, and they've really taken to it, even though they find some of it somewhat startling. <BR/><BR/>Stuart, I totally see you point w/ the practical concern, and I think you are right that the Gospel should never become a postscript. I find that my sermons vary significantly (timewise) according to the time spent on Law presentation compared to Gospel presentation. I find the relationship to be heavily driven by the text itself. (Whether I do so faithfully to the text, let the Berean reader be the judge :)The Joshua Victor Theoryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03684296967627057287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11244887.post-1113934897636524632005-04-19T08:21:00.000-10:002005-04-19T08:21:00.000-10:00I'm intrigued by this topic. I'm particularly int...I'm intrigued by this topic. I'm particularly interested in the effects of improper distinction between Law and Gospel on believers and congregations.Muttihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00307545946791926126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11244887.post-1113881888032391732005-04-18T17:38:00.000-10:002005-04-18T17:38:00.000-10:00Ok Jason, time to 'step off' Walther. ;) Just kidd...Ok Jason, time to 'step off' Walther. ;) Just kidding. Stuart is right on about Walther echoing FC. So you guys agree to my tentative criteria for when a sermon has the Gospel predominating?The Joshua Victor Theoryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03684296967627057287noreply@blogger.com