In 1527, John Agricola argued with Martin Luther about repentance, saying that repentance (contrition) is not worked in Christians by the Law, but only by the Gospel. Agricola rejects the Third use of the Law (i.e. Guide for Christian behavior). Those who held this "anti-Law" view were called Antinomians. Luther opposed Agricola and argued that there can be no proper understanding of the Bible without both Law (all Three Uses: Curb, Mirror, Guide) and Gospel preached for all people. Luther said, "Give the Law in all its sternness and give the Gospel in all its sweetness". Pages 1 to 21 are covered.

This is the final session in this book study. We have an excellent summary of the key points in the book concluded with a Quiz given by Pastor Rhode.

Scripture: John 3:27

Luther uses Scriptures from John to support his argument that "fallen man cannot attain on his own the things of God." pages 277-278, John 1:12,16. God by nature is a "giver". Man and Church are "receivers." When man ascribes to free choice he denies Christ and what Christ has done for them. They have removed the grace of Christ and destroyed the whole of theology! When we make a "decision for Christ", it is a fruit of our faith, so Decision Theology, if understood correctly, is receiving a gift given us by God (i.e. faith) and our "decision for Christ" should be treated as a "fruit of the faith" given by God.

Scripture: John 1:5,10 John 8:13 John 15:18 1 John 5:19 1 John 2:16, Pages 270 to 278 of the book are covered. Man can boast in his works, but not before God. Consider Abraham's two- fold righteousness, first in the Left Hand kingdom (i.e. world). Good people and works are Left Hand kingdom items. These boasts fall short before God. This is distinct from righteousness in the Right Hand kingdom. Abraham is not righteous before God unless he is clothed with faith. His works are not righteous and they deserve God's wrath. Only the righteousness of faith avails before God. God credits a man with righteousness because of faith in and through Jesus. In the Left Hand kingdom, our wages for work are due us, they are not a gift. In the Right Hand kingdom the wages are death (Romans 3:23). But to the one who does not work his faith is credited to him as righteousness before God (Romans 4:5). God is both just and the justifier because the Son of God, Jesus, bore the sins of the world.

Pages 263 to 270 of the book are covered. The works of the Law are utterly useless in obtaining the Gospel. All free choice has is the Law.Did Christ's righteousness come from His perfect obedience or did it come from His divinity? Does the Law deliver righteousness? If not why? These subjects along with other foundational points to Luther's argument against man having free choice in the matters of salvation are discussed.

Scripture: Galatians 3:2 Romans 3:20-25 Ephesians 2:10, Are good works necessary for salvation or detrimental to salvation? We discuss this in the context of doers of the Law by Spirit -filled man and fleshly man. Luther directs us to the source, where good works originate. Pages 260-265 of the book are covered.

Mankind is ignorant of the truth. Romans 1 says there is an awareness of God (partially), yet a rejection and a contempt of God by man. Luther makes the point in this section that man's reason and will are ignorant. This section gives a summary of the whole book in a nutshell. The sickest believe they are the most well. We need to learn about our nature from God's Word. Everyone thinks they are good! Pages 253-259 of the book are covered.

Scripture: Romans 1:16-17, Do Christians cooperate with God in their becoming a Christian? No! Do they cooperate in remaining a Christian? No! The Holy Spirit alone recreates us and sustains us,But does a Christian cooperate with God in other things? Yes. The Holy Spirit does not work without us in preaching the gospel,showing mercy to the poor and other activities that are the will of God. In our vocations we are God's mask. Pages 242 to 250 of the book are covered. Interestingly, page 246 begins the "foundational section" of the book. It is a summary of Luther's arguments put forth in the entire book. This section could have been at the beginning of the book.

Pages 242 and 243 are covered in this shortened session. Do we work with God in our salvation? Whether a person becomes a Christian or remains a Christian is God's business. All creatures are moved and carried along by God. God actuates both the creating and sustaining process for all mankind. Man does not cooperate in any way. For example, no human cooperates in the process of being born in the flesh. In like manner, we don't cooperate in our spiritual birth, in the sustaining or our flesh (body), and in the sustaining of our existence in the Kingdom of God.