This message by Dr. Michael Horton probably isn’t the only message on the Law and Gospel that I will hear in my lifetime and say, “that was absolutely amazing.” For now, however, it does stand as the best message I’ve ever had the privilege of hearing on this vital subject. I recently posted it on Facebook, but since then have decided that it deserves a more stationary spot here on LB. If you can recommend other messages on par with this one by Horton, please add your link to the comments section below.

Understanding Law & Gospel is like a salve for those of us who keep loosing our grip on the important distinction between the Law and the Gospel. Not only does it clearly define the two, but it points us to the finished work of Christ, and heals the self-inflicted wounds of falling back to our default position of trying to earn God’s love. This is a message for the church, and stands as a vital corrective (as does the entire ministry of the White Horse Inn) to the theological (and thus methodological) errors we see rampant in the church, broadly. Especially in evangelicalism today, in those churches outside of the Reformed tradition. Not that we Reformers are without fault in this area, but it seems obvious to me that the primary error of most conservative churches out there can be distilled down to this one problem. And this one problem, this inability or unwillingness to teach the Law and the Gospel rightly, is like a rotting root producing weak, legalistic and legalism-lite churches.

On the White Horse Inn (a programme which, undoubtedly, many of you have been shaped and challenged and blessed by, as we have), here are a few of the comments pertaining to this particular episode, which aired on September 12th, 2012. I’ve only select the more brief and concise comments. Some were very long, but to make my point, I’ve just included these few below.

Robert Barrett
September 2nd, 2012 at 4:32 am

That was the most magnificent single lecture on authentic Christianity that thas ever been done in the history of the world.

 

Robin
September 3rd, 2012 at 1:30 am

Wow! Preach it, Mike! What a stunning sermon. Glory to God!

 

Don Finger
September 5th, 2012 at 12:19 pm

I cannot put into words (as I write tears flow) what the ministry of everyone, especially M. Horton, of the WHI has done to this retired A/G Pentecostal pastor. After resigning because I could not make headway with 5 people who thought they knew better I descended into a wilderness unimaginable. After several years I’m on the internet and I stumble across the WHI and God uses that to pick me up and set me straight–straight to the message of grace that I have not understood all these years. I know I’v forgiven for my ill-informed ministry all those years because Jesus forgives me of all my sin. My father, an 8th grade educated Lutheran told me “you folks don’t understand grace.” He is now with the Lord. And he is delighted that the teachings coming from this endeavor have opened my eyes to finally understand the Gospel. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
I now have a new problem. How do I find a church that preaches Jesus and grace and not the mush that is found in most all of America’s churches.
I am overcome with so much emotion. I love you all in the Lord. Do not stop preaching this. You are saving souls, souls of Christians who have not understood grace.
Through your ministry they do! I do. Now!

 

Glynne
September 9th, 2012 at 10:17 pm

I’ll have to pile on and say this talk was very good. I’m without word to explain what it has done to me. I’ve listened to it 4 times.

So without further verbosity and delay, I commend to you this message:

Understanding Law & Gospel

Did we in our own strength confide

Our striving would be losing…

- Martin Luther, “A Mighty Fortress is our God”