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The Whole Christ by Sinclair Ferguson S U M M A R Y THE WHOLE CHRIST BY SINCLAIR FERGUSON Key Insights Best Quotes Infographics Study Questions BOOK BRIEF BY A c c e l e r a t e B o o k s . c o m OVERVIEW The Whole Christ 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. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Author: Sinclair Ferguson Sinclair Ferguson is a Reformed Scottish Publisher: Crossway theologian who earned a Ph. D at the University Date: January 31, 2016 of Aberdeen. He is the Chancellor’s Professor of Pages: 256 Systematic Theology at the Reformed Theological Seminary in the U.S., and he is the honorary evening preacher at St Peter’s Free Church of Scotland, Dundee. OVERVIEW Ferguson is well-known for his teaching for Since the days of the early church, Christians Ligonier Ministries. He has also authored or have wrestled with the relationship between contributed to numerous books, including: The law and gospel. If, as the apostle Paul says, Christian Life: A Doctrinal Introduction (2013), salvation is by grace and the law cannot save, Devoted To God (2016), Some Pastors and what relevance does the law have for Christians Teachers (2017), The Holy Spirit (1997). His today? Authorized use for Registered Members Only 1 © 2018 Accelerate Books. All Rights Reserved. MAIN IDEA The Whole Christ preaching can even be found on Christian hip- Through this lens, it becomes clear that hop albums such as “The Attributes of God” by antinomianism and legalism are two sides of Shai Linne. the same coin—a distorted view of God and His law as it relates to humanity. It is true then that “The Whole Christ” began as a series of lectures “…legalism and antinomianism share a offered by Ferguson in 1980 at a conference in common root that has invaded not only mind Indianapolis. At the request of people who but heart, affections, and will—how we feel heard about the original addresses and his toward God as well as the doctrine of God we desires to eventually publish a book on the profess.” (p. 84-85) topic, Sinclair set out to edit and improve the original transcripts into written form some 36 Both legalism and antinomianism can be years later. hidden beneath the surface of sound confessions of faith. Legalism treats the law of Ferguson’s main desire for publishing The God in daily life as if God’s love is maintained Whole Christ arose from a desire to radically through a covenant of works. Antinomianism, shape the ministries of his readers as The on the other hand, treats obedience to the law Marrow Controversy shaped the ministry of as if it is separate from freely enjoying God. Thomas Boston, one of the most prominent Neither of these extremes is the answer to the figures involved in the controversy. other, and neither can provide real assurance of salvation. Assurance can only be found in the glorious God of the gospel. When the gospel is warped, MAIN IDEA assurance is sure to be warped with it. It is only The Whole Christ is a glance back at The when Christians have deep faith in the Father’s Marrow Controversy (1717-1722) in order to love, trust in Jesus’ work on the cross, and help Christians move forward on the path of continual experience of the Spirit’s presence biblical grace recovered during that that can they have biblical assurance. The controversy. journey ahead for every believer is to know and share the Totus Christus—the whole Christ. The Whole Christ traces the footsteps of Thomas Boston and the Marrow Men as they sought to recover the necessities of understanding the heart of the gospel—Christ Himself. Authorized use for Registered Members Only 2 © 2018 Accelerate Books. All Rights Reserved. KEY INSIGHTS The Whole Christ Characteristics of this legal spirit include, but KEY INSIGHT #1 are not limited to: viewing the law as primarily negative; viewing God primarily as an unloving, forbidding God; divorcing God’s gracious character from His revealed will; submission to the law with no connection to the Father; No Legalism is joy in Christ while claiming that your chief end Subtle is to “enjoy Him forever”; No affections for the Lord in your strict obedience; A self-righteous Legalism is more subtle temper; Comparison with others. than justification by works. The “legal frame” is very dangerous because it enters churches and pulpits very stealthily. It can correctly confess the doctrine of justification by faith alone, apart from works, Too often, legalism is narrowly defined as the but only in confession and not conduct. The belief that salvation is gained by works apart legal frame is multidimensional and multi- from grace. Traditionally, the picture that layered, so it is easily masked by narrow comes to mind with legalism is a Roman definitions and extreme forms of legalism. Catholic or Judaizer seeking to be justified by doing good works and keeping the law. Though Having “an evangelical head and legalistic this is legalism at its worst and a very real heart” is a reality for many believers— picture of legalism, it is only a picture of especially those who are doctrinally sound and legalism at the surface level. confessionally trained. It matters not what is believed with the mind if it is not lived out in Legalism is dangerous for a multitude of the heart. Guarding against legalism in practice reasons, especially because ”it distorts and will always be much more difficult than may actually destroy the gospel. It is inimical to protecting oneself from it in theory. The the grace of God in Christ. It lies at the heart of remedy for this is a proper view of God and His many pastoral problems and is one of the most grace. common spiritual sicknesses. Unfortunately, it is an infectious disease, especially if a pastor or preacher has contracted it.” (p. 123) So it is important to be able to recognize some of its common symptoms. Authorized use for Registered Members Only 3 © 2018 Accelerate Books. All Rights Reserved. KEY INSIGHTS The Whole Christ INSIGHTGRAPHIC #1 Authorized use for Registered Members Only 4 © 2018 Accelerate Books. All Rights Reserved. KEY INSIGHTS The Whole Christ revealed will. In fact, “it cannot be too strongly emphasized, therefore, that everyone is a KEY INSIGHT #2 legalist at heart. Indeed, if anything, that is the more evident in antinomians.” (p. 86) Though a legalist at heart and similar in Antinomianism expression, the antinomian differs from the expresses legalist in that he or she: denies the importance of the law in the life of believers for fear of Legalism legalism; overstates the distinction between Israel and the Church in order to avoid the law; Antinomianism is the fruit and opposes the law rather than obeying it; expression of legalism. believes the law to be something that deprives God’s people of good. Whereas the legalist remains in an improper Antinomians are traditionally understood as bondage to the law, the antinomian allows those who are so against the law that they their legalistic view of God and His law to drive actually deny that it is necessary for the them to disobedience rather than grace. For Christian. They are characterized by loose example, “it bears repeating: in Eve’s case living and license to do whatever they desire. antinomianism (her opposition to and rejection However, like legalism, antinomianism can be of God’s law) was itself an expression of her traced by to a distorted view of God and His legalism! law. When this distortion of God’s character is Antinomians, like legalists, can wear different complete, we inevitably mistrust him; we lose faces which can make them difficult to identify. sight of his love and grace; we see him Just as the legalist has a legalistic frame, “some essentially as a forbidding God.” (p. 83) who propositionally have held the antinomian view have nevertheless had reputations for godly living.” (p. 140) The antinomian is similar to the legalist in that he or she: views the law in a negative light; sees God as a forbidding God in the giving of His law; finds no joy or affection in keeping the law; divorces God’s gracious character from His Authorized use for Registered Members Only 5 © 2018 Accelerate Books. All Rights Reserved. KEY INSIGHTS The Whole Christ INSIGHTGRAPHIC #2 Authorized use for Registered Members Only 6 © 2018 Accelerate Books. All Rights Reserved. KEY INSIGHTS The Whole Christ opposed to any assurance of salvation because KEY INSIGHT #3 they believe that faith is subject to error. Along with this fear comes the fear that assurance leads to antinomianism rather than a life of obedience. Assurance of For the Roman Catholic believer, assurance Salvation would overthrow the extended sacramental A natural and actual fruit of process required to attain final justification. However, none of these reasons for opposing faith in Jesus Christ. assurance of salvation are biblical.
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