Truly excellent! I have not thought about legalism and antinomianism to this degree, what are their causes and relationships to one another, and what is their solution. There is also a very good discussion on assurance towards the end of the book. Highly commend to anyone. ( )

Since the days of the early church, Christians have wrestled with the relationship between law and gospel. If, as the apostle Paul says, salvation is by grace and the law cannot save, what relevance does the law have for Christians today?
By revisiting the Marrow Controversy―a famous but largely forgotten eighteenth-century debate related to the proper relationship between God’s grace and our works―Sinclair B. Ferguson sheds light on this central issue and why it still matters today. In doing so, he explains how our understanding of the relationship between law and gospel determines our approach to evangelism, our pursuit of sanctification, and even our understanding of God himself.
Ferguson shows us that the antidote to the poison of legalism on the one hand and antinomianism on the other is one and the same: the life-giving gospel of Jesus Christ, in whom we are simultaneously justified by faith, freed for good works, and assured of salvation.

An excellent study of an 18th century theological controversy and its contemporary pastoral application. Beautiful exemplar of historical theological scholarship pitched to a popular audience. Especially good on assurance. I'll be returning to this over the years. ( )

Well written - engaging - relevant - theologically deep. Uncovers the Morrow controversy and how it is relevant today. Particularly salient was Ferguson's point that the benefits of the Gospel cannot be separated from Jesus. Jesus is the good news. I would highly recommend! ( )

(1) What is repentance, and what is it not? (100)
(2) Distinguishing between covenant and contract (1115)
(3) Not "If" but "Therefore" (116)
(4) The Grace of Law (120)
(5) An inclusio stressing the goodness of the Law (165)
(6) To what extent has the Law ceased to be binding on the Christian? (170)
(7) Adam and the Law (170)
(8) The three elements of the Law fulfilled (171-172)
(9) Summary of John Calvin on assurance (191)
(10) For what do we seek assurance? (196)
(11) How do we know God? (200)
(12) How is assurance obtained (201)
(13) Thomas Boston seems to say that justification is salvation from the wrath of God, and sanctification is salvation from sin (234) ( )