The Use of Law and Gospel in Motivation for Christian Living

Abstract

In this 1974 essay, Dr. Siegbert W. Becker explores how Lutheran educators can rightly apply Law and Gospel to motivate Christian living. He emphasizes the critical distinction between Law, which reveals sin and God’s wrath, and Gospel, which proclaims forgiveness and grace through Christ. Becker warns against confusing cultural morality with true Christian conduct and critiques both secular and religious tendencies to soften the Law or condition the Gospel. He argues that only the Gospel, rightly understood as unconditional and rooted in Christ’s atonement, can produce genuine love and sanctification. The Law curbs sin and awakens fear, while the Gospel inspires joyful service. Becker urges teachers to instill both a deep horror of sin and a fervent love for God in their students, maintaining the tension and clarity between Law and Gospel as essential to Christian education and spiritual formation. Abstract generated by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4)