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The marrow of modern divinityCome as you areTHE MARROW OF MODERN DIVINITY The Marrow of Modern Divinity is one of the most significant books in the history of Christian theology. A work of popular devotion, it was written by Edward Fisher in 1646. It made a huge impact on Thomas Boston, when he discovered it in 1700. In early 18th-century Scotland, it led to a huge controversy about the nature of the gospel. Boston and the ‘Marrow Men’ objected to the prevalent mood in the theology of the Church of Scotland, which was orthodox, but legalistic and lifeless. The book takes us to the heart of the gospel and particularly justification by faith alone. The issues it raises continue to be vital. Must a person forsake his sin before he can be saved? The Marrow argues that we come to Christ as we are — if we wait until we are better, we will never come at all. We do not need to examine our hearts to discover evidence that we are of the elect before we fly to Christ for salvation. Should the gospel be offered indiscriminately to all people? The Marrow supports the free offer of the gospel. Are Christians under the covenant of works? Christ lived and died under the covenant of works in order to bring his people into the blessings of the covenant of grace. The law is a rule of life, not a covenant of works. When a Christian sins, he does not experience the legal anger of a judge, but the displeasure of a father who will never cease to love him. Christians can have full assurance of salvation. Indeed, ‘no one goes to heaven in a mist, not knowing whither he is going’. Reading The Marrow takes some effort. It takes the form of a dialogue in which Evangelista, a strong Christian, helps Neophytus, a young Christian, plot a biblically-balanced course between the views of Nomista, a legalist, and Antinomista, an antinomian. This handsome volume contains Boston’s commentary and two introductory essays. The book is not for the general reader and a topical index would have helped. However, as the contemporary debate about the new perspective and federal vision show, justification by faith alone still needs to be stated and defended. The Marrow addresses issues which are vital for evangelism and for the health and vitality of the Christian and the church. Paul Mallard, © Evangelicals Now - April 2010 |