<transcy>The Whole Christ (Le Christ et ses bienfaits)</transcy>
Since the days of the early Church, Christians have struggled to properly understand the relationship between law and the gospel. If, as the apostle Paul says, salvation comes by grace and the law cannot save, what importance does the law have for Christians today?
Reflecting on the Marrow Controversy - a famous but largely forgotten 18th century debate about the relationship between God's grace and our works - Sinclair B. Ferguson sheds light on this central question and shows why it still remains. topical. In doing so, he explains how our understanding of the relationship between law and the gospel determines our approach to evangelism, our pursuit of sanctification, and even our understanding of God himself.
The author shows us that the antidote to the poisons of legalism and antinomianism is the same: the life-giving Gospel of Jesus Christ, in whom we are simultaneously justified by faith, freed to practice good works and assured of salvation.
Author
Sinclair B. Ferguson Ph. D., University of Aberdeen) is Professor of Systematic Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary and former Principal Minister of First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, South Carolina. < / p>
Recommendations
"As fascinating as this work is for its historical analysis, it is even more important as a biblical and theological guide to the still current controversies surrounding legalism, antinomianism and assurance of salvation. I am grateful to Sinclair Ferguson for working on such an important subject with all of his scholarship and pastoral love. »
- Kevin DeYoung, Senior Pastor of Christ Covenant Church, Matthews, North Carolina
"" Do we want to receive righteousness in Christ? We must have Christ first. " This sentence by John Calvin is at the heart of the Reformed understanding of salvation. In this masterpiece, Sinclair Ferguson masterfully exposes this essential truth, until we feel it in our bones, and are filled with love and awe, as well as a longing to serve our God. benevolent. »
- Gethin Jones, assistant pastor at La Chapelle de Nesle, Paris
“With doctrinal precision and pastoral wisdom, Christ and His Benefits provides both the diagnosis and the remedy for the countless false gospels that attack the Church in Africa. This book inspired me to cherish Christ in all his fullness as I seek to be gospel-centered in my life and to be faithful to the gospel in my ministry. "
- Mark Phillips, Regional Manager, International Mission Board, West Africa
"Legalism and antinomianism have twisted the meaning of the gospel for centuries and despise the greatness of the grace of God. I am grateful for the wisdom and theological precision that Sinclair Ferguson has shown in pointing out the intricacies of these false doctrines and pointing to the sufficiency of Christ. Read this book many times! "
- Éric Ricard, pastor of the Doxa Church, Brossard, Quebec
“A slow, thoughtful reading of this book will benefit your soul and your ministry. Through a fascinating historical controversy, Sinclair Ferguson takes us to the heart of the relationship between law and grace. It shows us how our union with Christ changes our relationship with the law and causes us to cherish the divine commandments which are holy, righteous, and good. This book is deeply pastoral, for it flushes out any legalistic spirit that lurks in a fearful adherence to the law or a flippant attitude towards divine moral demands. This book will expand your understanding of the glory of Jesus Christ and help you graciously proclaim it to all.
- Trevor Harris, pastor of the Evangelical Church International (IBC) of Jurbise, Belgium; co-responsible for the association Preaches the Word; professor at the Biblical Institute of Geneva
“This book clearly demonstrates how we can sometimes subtly lose the essence of the gospel by the way we communicate certain truths. Drawing on historical controversy and building on solid biblical and theological foundations, Sinclair Ferguson is a remarkable equipping pastors of today to avoid the great pitfalls of legalism. and antinomianism. "
- Alexandre Marquis, pastor of the Church of Hope in Saint-Hubert, Quebec; professor at the Evangelical Baptist Seminary of Quebec (SEMBEQ)
“Through this fascinating historical investigation, Sinclair Ferguson brings us back to life one of the most poignant theological controversies of Scottish Protestantism, at the heart of a debate between legalists and antinomists which has lost nothing of its relevance for the evangelical world. »
- Philippe Gervaix, high school philosophy teacher and translator
"I marvel at Sinclair Ferguson's mastery of historical detail in this book, but I praise God even more for the passion of this author who always seeks to clearly explain the gospel. The grace that saves our souls and enables our obedience is defined, valued and cherished in this reflection on the need to preserve the proclamation of the gospel from human error. »
- Bryan Chapell, Pastor Emeritus, Grace Presbyterian Church, Peoria, Illinois
"It's easy to accuse people of falling into legalism or antinomianism, but the reality is not as clear as one would like to admit. Sinclair Ferguson takes an old Scottish controversy and uses it as a spotlight to illuminate our spiritual struggles today. This remarkable book untangles many knots in the law and in the grace of God. He strongly reminds us that legalism and antinomianism are not opposing notions, but pernicious allies in Satan's bitter war to dishonor the precious name of Jesus Christ. "
- Joel R. Beeke, President and Professor of Systematic Theology and Homiletics, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary
Table of contents
Preface
Introduction
1. The Birth of a Controversy
2. Grace in the Gospel
3. Preparedness: The Poison of a Distortion
4. Attention, legalism in sight!
5. The Order of Grace
6. Suspicious symptoms
7. Faces of Antinomianism
8. Causes and remedies
9. The epitome of insurance
10. How the assurance of Christ becomes the assurance of salvation
11. A road strewn with pitfalls
Conclusion
Appendix: Faith according to Thomas Boston
Details
Original title : The Whole Christ
Author : Sinclair B. Ferguson
Publisher: La Rochelle
Publication : February 2021
ISBN : 978-2-924895-20-7
Pages : 278
Dimensions : 5.5 "x 8.5"
Format : paperback
Weight : 346 g