About thirty years ago, I studied for the Lutheran ministry. Towards the end of my

studies, in 1983, I discovered what I believe to be significant differences of teaching

between Luther and Paul. These differences are briefly summed up below:

 

Luther teaches that Christians,                                   Paul teaches that Christians
insofar as they are flesh or                                          are entirely under grace.
old Adam, remain under the law.

 

Luther teaches that apostolic                                      Paul teaches that apostolic
parenesis, that is exhortations                                     parenesis is grace, and
addressed to Christians to lead                                   therefore a part of the gospel.
a God pleasing life, is law.

 

Luther teaches that the sins of                                    Paul teaches that the sins of
the world are either on                                                the world are at the same
the crucified Christ or on the world.                           time on the crucified Christ, and on the world.

 

With a departure from biblical truth unfortunately comes a twisted perception and

presentation of reality. The extent of the damage, as I see it, is a twisted image of

God, a twisted understanding of the law, a twisted understanding of the gospel,

and, last but not least, a twisted self-image of Christians.

 

I am convinced that with justification by grace through faith, Luther has

rediscovered an essential part of the gospel of Christ. With no ill will on his part,

and only the best of intentions, he has set this pearl of great price into a law-

gospel distinction that is not in accordance with Scripture.

 

I would like to dedicate this website to a careful examination of those differences,

and to a rediscovery of the gospel of Christ as it has been preached by Jesus

and the apostles.

 

Christian