Journal: Southern Baptist Journal of Theology
Volume: SBJT 23:3 (Fall 2019)
Article: Book Reviews
Author: Anonymous

SBJT 23:3 (Fall 2019) p. 149

Book Reviews

The Whole Christ: Legalism, Antinomianism, and Gospel Assurance—Why the Marrow Controversy Still Matters. By Sinclair B. Ferguson. Wheaton: Crossway, 2016, 256 pp., $24.99.

Sinclair Ferguson’s The Whole Christ explores two related, perennial issues in the Christian life. First, the twin tendencies of legalism and antinomianism with their root. Then the problem of assurance. He does this in a profound and engaging way with an obscure, eighteenth-century, intermural Scottish Presbyterian debate—the Marrow Controversy—as the backdrop. After providing the historical context, theological terms of debate, and introducing Thomas Boston and other main players, Ferguson embarks on his “extended reflection on theological and pastoral issues that arose in the early eighteenth century, viewed from the framework of the present day.” The issues? The ramifications of our answer to a fundamental gospel question: “Who is the God whom we come to know in Jesus Christ (John 17:3)? What is he really like, truly like—deep down, through and through?” (19).

Ferguson argues that legalism and antinomianism flow from the same well, namely, a distorted view of God. As such, the antidote to one is not the other, but the true gospel. Legalism stems from the idea that to receive anything from a misanthrope deity, it must be earned. It’s as old as the garden, Ferguson contends. Legalism was at the bottom of Eve’s antinomianism, poisoning her affection for her heavenly Father. Legalism sees “naked law,” rather than “law from the gracious lips of the Father” (82). Legalism separates Christ from his benefits, making salvation conditional and free offers of the gospel impossible. Legalism often manifests itself in a self-righteous temper, jealousy, and a spirit of bondage.

Antinomianism arises out of the same warped view of God, abstracting God’s law from God’s character and viewing the law as a covenant of works alone, rather than a gracious rule for life. Ferguson identifies three strands of antinomianism, the dogmatic, experimental, and exegetical, none of which necessarily overlap and the latter being the most prevalent in evangelical circles. In his estimation, proponents of exegetical antinomianism understand

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the tripartite division of the law as superimposed on the text of Scripture and deny the epochal theology of the law in classical Reformed orthodoxy. In short, he defends Covenant Theology and seems to have his sights set on New Covenant Theology and biblical theologies with similar tendencies.

The Gospel conditionalism of legalism exacerbates the problem of assurance, of course, a...