The Whole Counsel

Grace and Law XV: The Dominion of the Law and Sin

Next week we will finish our series on The Law and the Gospel. In this series we have sought to study the New Testament Christian’s relationship to God’s moral law. Before salvation, the Law could only offer condemnation. It pointed out our flaws but could provide no cure for our sin-sickness. But now, because the Christian belongs to the Kingdom of Grace, God’s moral law has become the path we walk to please our King.
This is part of what Paul’s point in Romans 6. We are no longer slaves to sin. We are slaves to righteousness. Even though we still wrestle with sin and hear the whispers of our old master. telling us the law will condemn us, we are assured by the faithfulness of Christ that His grace is sufficient.
Get your copy of Reisinger’s book here: https://press.founders.org/shop/the-law-and-the-gospel/
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Grace and Law XIV: Is the Law Fulfilled?

This week we return to our ongoing discussion of the Christian’s relationship to both God’s Law and His grace. The emphasis this week is simply to explain what Jesus meant when He said He came to “fulfill the law.”
We can understand this fulfillment in a few different ways, but Ernie Reisinger’s book offers us a great deal of help. Dr. John Snyder and Steve Crampton discuss not just how we can find rest and hope in Jesus’ fulfillment of the law, but also how we can follow His example to draw near the Father.
Get your copy of Reisinger’s book here: https://press.founders.org/shop/the-law-and-the-gospel/
Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts
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10 Years of Beholding God: Andrew Davies

Regular listeners will know we have been releasing complete interviews from our production of Behold Your God: Rethinking God Biblically. This is to commemorate and celebrate the Lord’s kindness over the last 10 years.
This week we highlight the interview with Andrew Davies, a Welsh minister who met Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones and J.I Packer as a child. He also served as a pastor in New Zealand for a time. Going back over Davies’ words was a genuine blessing for us and we pray they will warm your heart to Christ today.
Get your copy of the DVDs for Behold Your God: Rethinking God Biblically:https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/all-products/products/behold-your-god-13-dvd-set?variant=6841429637
Get your workbook for the study Behold Your God: Rethinking God Biblically:https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/all-products/products/behold-your-god-workbook?variant=6841804549
Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts
To watch the interview with Andrew Davies: https://youtu.be/eH8eP_gEV7M
You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

10 Years of Rethinking God Biblically: Eifion Evans

At this time 10 years ago we were putting the final touches and beginning the process of manufacturing Behold Your God: Rethinking God Biblically. This study has gone much further in the last decade than we ever thought possible. But the Lord has seen fit to use it around America and outside her borders in places such as Russia, The Netherlands, South Africa, Canada, and more.
Each video session of Behold Your God: Rethinking God Biblically ends with interviews from men such as Paul Washer, Conrad Mbewe, Anthony Mathenia, and Eifion Evans. We sat down with these men for a long time. Some interviews were as short as 40 minutes. However, their total time in the study averaged 20 minutes. Because of that, the majority of their words have never been heard publicly. So to commemorate a decade of the Lord using this study, we want to present to you the complete interviews of our contributors.
This week we present to you the Welsh historian Eifion Evans. His interview is unique in that he is not asked questions. His heart was overflowing with the things he felt important to say we simply turned the cameras on and let him speak. We have been blessed by his words and pray you are as well.
Get your copy of the DVDs for Behold Your God: Rethinking God Biblically:https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/all-products/products/behold-your-god-13-dvd-set?variant=6841429637
Get your workbook for the study Behold Your God: Rethinking God Biblically:https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/all-products/products/behold-your-god-workbook?variant=6841804549
Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts
You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

Grace and Law XIII: Is God’s Law Fair?

If you have gone through the Media Gratiae study Behold Your God: The Weight of Majesty, you will know that God’s attributes include being just, good, and kind. So how can a just, good, and kind God require the adherence to a law that people may not understand or be able to follow?
That is the topic of discussion this week for Dr. John Snyder and Steve Crampton. They are sharing their notes from chapter nine of Ernie Reisinger’s book, The Law and the Gospel. In this chapter, Reisinger looks to David Brainerd, the son-in-law of Jonathan Edwards, for help. In his journals, Brainerd discusses the hatred and contempt he felt towards God’s law when he was unconverted. He then details how his renewed understanding of God’s law led to his conversion.
His journey is one that we believe can be very helpful to discuss the fairness of God’s law to unconverted people today. It is so helpful, in fact, that we allowed the discussion to go a bit longer than normal. If you haven’t picked up a copy of this book, we highly encourage you to do so and make sure to carefully read through chapter nine: Does Human Inability make God Unjust?
Get your copy of Reisinger’s book here: https://press.founders.org/shop/the-law-and-the-gospel/
Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts
You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

Grace and Law XII: 20 Errors of Antinomianism

Throughout this podcast series, we have been following the flow of thought in Ernie Reisinger’s book The Law and the Gospel. In his discussion on antinomianism, Reisigner gives 20 errors connected to this heretical understanding of God’s law in the Christian life.
This week, we share most of those 20 ideas and stop to discuss a few of them. To help you better keep up with the flow of ideas, we wanted to write out the list here for you:
The law is made void by grace. Justification by faith alone renders good works unnecessary.
Since good works are unnecessary, obedience to the law is not required of justified persons.
God sees no sin in the justified, who are no longer bound by the law, and is not displeased with them if they sin.
God therefore does not chastise justified persons for sin.
Nor can sin in any way injure the justified.
Since no duties or obligations are admitted in the gospel, faith and repentance are not commanded.
The Christian need not repent in order to receive par-don of sin.
Nor need he mortify sin; Christ has mortified sin for him.
Nor ought he be distressed in conscience upon back-sliding, but he should hold fast to a full assurance of his salvation in the midst of the vilest sins.
Justifying faith is the assurance that one is already justified.
The elect are actually justified before they believe, even from all eternity.
Therefore they were never children of wrath or under condemnation.
Their sin, as to its very being, was imputed to Christ so as not to be theirs, and His holiness is imputed to them as their sanctification.
Sanctification is no evidence of justification, for assurance is the fruit of an immediate revelation that one is an elect person.
No conviction by the law precedes the sinner's closing with Christ, inasmuch as Christ is freely offered to sinners as sinners.
Repentance is produced not by the law, but by the gospel only.
The secret counsel of God is the rule of man's conduct.
God is the author and approver of sin, for sin is the accomplishment of His will.
Unless the Spirit works holiness in the soul, there is no obligation to be holy or to strive toward that end.
All externals are useless or indifferent, since the Spirit alone gives life.
Ernest Kevin’s book The Law and the Gospel- https://www.amazon.com/Grace-Law-Puritan-Theology-Puritanism/dp/1877611638
Get your copy of Reisinger’s book here: https://press.founders.org/shop/the-law-and-the-gospel/
Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts
You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

Grace and Law XI: Rejecting the Lies of Antinomianism

It’s been a few weeks since John Snyder and Steve Crampton came together to discuss Ernie Reisinger’s The Law and the Gospel. But this week they are back and they are tackling the topic of antinomianism.
This term, which we believe to be coined by Martin Luther, describes a doctrine in which God’s Law has no place in the Christian life. Paul himself was accused of being an antinomian, as was Martyn Lloyd-Jones, because they preached a full picture of the gospel.
But at the heart of the accusation is a misunderstanding of God’s Law and its role in the New Testament Christian life. It is not a heavy burden by which we achieve justification with God. It is a path we are permitted to walk to be near our King.
Get your copy of Reisinger’s book here: https://press.founders.org/shop/the-law-and-the-gospel/
Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts
You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

How to Respond to ”Gay Christianity”

While we don’t typically focus on contemporary issues on the Whole Counsel, we wanted to take one episode to introduce you to an author that we trust on a topic that has become the source of unexpected confusion in many churches.
Michael David Perkins, in his recently released book Dangerous Affirmations, provides a clear perspective on the recent trend of affirming “gay Christianity.” In a careful, thorough, and Christ-honoring way, Michael leads the reader through the fundamental beliefs behind this trend, as well as the Biblical reason for rejecting these beliefs.
Michael Perkins and John Snyder discuss the various misconceptions in many churches that have arisen from the misdiagnosis of homosexuality and the misdirected expression of compassion that has surfaced in many churches.  While guiding us to a more Biblical and loving approach to those who have embraced this lifestyle, Michael and John also speak of the need for the believers to consider the “respectable sins” they themselves may be embracing. Perhaps you will find Michael’s book helpful in answering the question: How do we share the truths of our King, Jesus, with humility and reverence, in a world that craves affirmation for its newest expressions of self-rule?
For more information regarding the new book Dangerous Affirmations, visit www.dangerousaffirmations.net.
Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts
You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

10 Years of Beholding God | Anthony Mathenia, Pt 2

Ten years ago we were working hard on creating the study that became Behold Your God: Rethinking God Biblically. Part of that work included conducting interviews that would come at the end of each video session.
Those interviews often went on for more than an hour, but due to the time constraints of the study, only about 20 minutes of each interview has ever been seen. As a way of celebrating the upcoming 10-year anniversary of Behold Your God: Rethinking God Biblically, we are releasing complete interviews from each contributor.
Because the interviews are so long, we are releasing them in podcast-length segments. This week is part two of our interview with Anthony Mathenia and this episode, Anthony answers the questions:
The western church seems unsure that personal holiness is essential or even helpful in reaching the lost. How do you see a biblical rethinking of God's character influencing personal holiness?
How do you promote the highest views of God in your teaching? And what do you see in modern religious practice which you feel dangerously distracts from focusing on God in the corporate setting?
What can those who are not in leadership positions do to promote a biblical rethinking of God in their church and in their home?
How do you see a biblical rethinking of God as necessary in ministering to the entire body of Christ?
How do you see idolatry manifested in congregations who believe themselves to be careful, healthy, Bible-believing churches? And can you mention specific areas where people are embracing an idolatrously low view of God and church?
When a people worship an idol in God's name, God rejects it. Is there evidence of this reality in modern churches? Can you speak to earnest worship that is rejected by God today?
Respond to the pragmatist who has heard everything in this study but now says, “But what we are doing is working. People are coming in the door. How could this not be pleasing to God?”
Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts
You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

10 Years of Beholding God | Anthony Mathenia, Pt 1

Ten years ago we were working hard on creating the study that became Behold Your God: Rethinking God Biblically. Part of that work included conducting interviews that would come at the end of each video session.
Those interviews often went on for more than an hour, but due to the time constraints of the study, only about 20 minutes of each interview has ever been seen. As a way of celebrating the upcoming 10-year anniversary of Behold Your God: Rethinking God Biblically, we are releasing complete interviews from each contributor.
Because the interviews are so long, we are releasing them in podcast-length segments. This week is part of our interview with Anthony Mathenia.
If you haven't gone through our flagship study, Behold Your God: Rethinking God Biblically, check it out for yourself here: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/products/behold-your-god-workbook 
Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts
You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app