I am the problem!
This book is about the law that condemns me for my sin and the gospel that justifies me by the righteousness of Christ.
In this book, you’ll find…
How to deal with guilt and shame through the gospel of Christ that sets you free.
Through the two words, law and gospel, you’ll realize that you are (and I am) the problem, and the solution lies outside of you and me, in Jesus Christ.
A theological and historical exposition of God's righteous law and sublime gospel for sinners and saints dealing with their sins and being set free by the Word of Christ.
By rediscovering the proper distinction between the law and the gospel, you’ll be set free to love God and propelled to love your neighbors without expecting their approval. Because all the love and acceptance we crave for, we already possess in the love of Christ who loved us and gave Himself for you and me.
The Cover Painting-
A Sermon of Law and Gospel
The artwork on the front cover of this book is titled An Allegory of the Old and New Testaments by the German artist Hans Holbein the Younger.
It was created in the early 1530s and it is part of the art collection in the National Galleries of Scotland. As described by the museum, “The images and inscriptions provide a painted sermon.”
Moses receiving the unforgiving Word of the law (LEX) written with the finger of God.
The forgiving Word of the gospel of Grace (GRATIA); the promise announced to the virgin who would bear a son named Jesus (Savior) because he would save His people from their sins.
Adam and Eve are depicted after being deceived by the serpent, seducing them to eat the forbidden fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
The death (MORS – the skeleton on the left) came through sin.
The mystery of justification (MYSTERIUM IUSTIFICATIONIS) starts in the Old Testament, represented here with the bronze serpent set on a pole.
The crucified Son of God for our justification (IUSTIFICATIO NOSTRA).
Man, or human being (HOMO), accursed by sin and death, is sitting on a stone with the text of Romans 7:24, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?“
John the Baptist is encouraging the man pointing at the Lamb of God (AGNUS DEI), saying: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
the resurrected Christ conquering death to give us our victory (VICTORIA NOSTRA) through Christ’s Crucifixion and Resurrection for salvation to everyone who believes