Law and Gospel

Definition and Meaning

In a narrow sense, the Law refers to God's commandments contained in the Old Testament Pentateuch; in a broader sense, it refers to God's will as required of human beings throughout Scripture. The Gospel (literally "good news") refers to the promise of salvation freely given through Jesus Christ. In Protestant theology, the expression "Law and Gospel" refers to the question of how the two are to be distinguished and related.

Biblical and Historical Background

• Scripture: Paul taught that the law brings only the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20), and he compared the law to a "schoolmaster" that brings people to Christ (Galatians 3:24). Jesus said that he came not to destroy the law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17).
• Luther: Martin Luther regarded the distinction between Law and Gospel as central to theology. In his view, the Law exposes sin and humbles people, while the Gospel proclaims the forgiveness of sins.
• Calvin: John Calvin described three uses of the Law: it brings conviction of sin, restrains evil in society, and serves as the rule of life for believers. The last of these is commonly called the "third use of the Law."
• Confessions: Chapter 19 of the Westminster Confession of Faith divides the Law into moral law, ceremonial law (regulations for sacrifice and worship), and judicial law (the civil law of Israel). It holds that the ceremonial and judicial laws have expired, while the moral law, summarized in the Ten Commandments, continues to bind all people.
• The Protestant tradition has generally guarded against two extremes: legalism, which holds that one must keep the Law in order to be saved, and antinomianism, which holds that the Law is unnecessary because one has received grace.

Practice in the Korean Church

• Lutherans: The Lutheran Church in Korea treats the distinction between Law and Gospel as an important standard for preaching.
• Presbyterian and other Reformed denominations: These emphasize the third use of the Law. The Heidelberg Catechism expounds the Ten Commandments in its section on the "life of gratitude" of those who have been saved. Some churches recite the Ten Commandments together during worship.
• Methodists and Holiness churches: Influenced by Wesleyan theology, these churches understand the Law as a guide that leads believers in sanctification (the process of being made holy). John Wesley is known to have held that preaching the Law and preaching the Gospel must go together.
• Churches influenced by dispensationalism: Some explain the matter by distinguishing between a dispensation of law and a dispensation of grace.

This framework also frequently arises in debates over matters of conduct such as Lord's Day observance, tithing, and alcohol and tobacco. One side criticizes legalistic tendencies in the Korean church, while the other is concerned about attitudes that emphasize grace while taking obedience lightly.