Book Recommendation: The Whole Christ. Legalism, Antinomianism, & Gospel Assurance--Why the Marrow Controversy Still Matters

Book Recommendation: The Whole Christ. Legalism, Antinomianism, & Gospel Assurance--Why the Marrow Controversy Still Matters by Sinclair B. Ferguson

As of today, 2 September 2018, there are 104 comments about this book on Amazon.com.
To be fair, 91% of the reviews gave the book five stars. I personally found the book immensely instructive. Two takeaways. First, the book is an expression of a Reformed theology, after all, Ferguson was a Presbyterian minister. This is not a fault (I agree with this soteriological persuasion) this is simply an observation of the author's point of view.  Second, don't expect a great deal of exegetical spade work with the scriptural text. I'm not sure this is a problem but just don't expect page after page of text based exegetical argumentation from scripture. If I remember correctly there is only one lengthy handling of any NT text: the parable of the prodigal son. Although there will be a what I would call proof-texting with a summary comment as to which texts match his argument (or to be fair represents his perspective on the argument). I think you'll see what I mean when you read the book. I'm including an example for which many are available here. Ferguson writes, "We are Colossians 2:14-17 Christians: the civil law distinguishing Jews and Gentiles is fulfilled" (p. 171). The vast portion of the book discusses historical doctrine, theology, and beliefs of pastors throughout church history. I would suggest this last state is a great value of the book

A review by 9Marks is available here.
A review by Tim Challies is available here.
A review by Douglas Wilson is available here.
A review found on the Themelios website is available here.
A review in The Master's Seminary Journal MSJ (Fall 2016), p. 219-229 is available here.
A review the Journal of Biblical and Theological Studies JBTS is available here.

The books table of contents is as follows:

1. How a Marrow Grew
2. Grace in the Gospel
3. Preparation, Distortion, Poison
4. Danger! Legalism!
5. The Order of Grace
6. Suspicious Symptoms
7. Faces of Antinomianism
8. Causes and Cures
9. The Marrow of Assurance
10. How Assurance of Christ Becomes Assurance of Salvation
11. "Hindrances Strew All the Way"

Comments from Amazon.com...

"Since the days of the early church, Christians have wrestled with the relationship between law and gospel. If, as the apostle Paul says, salvation is by grace and the law cannot save, what relevance does the law have for Christians today?

By revisiting the Marrow Controversy—a famous but largely forgotten eighteenth-century debate related to the proper relationship between God’s grace and our works—Sinclair B. Ferguson sheds light on this central issue and why it still matters today. In doing so, he explains how our understanding of the relationship between law and gospel determines our approach to evangelism, our pursuit of sanctification, and even our understanding of God himself.

Ferguson shows us that the antidote to the poison of legalism on the one hand and antinomianism on the other is one and the same: the life-giving gospel of Jesus Christ, in whom we are simultaneously justified by faith, freed for good works, and assured of salvation."

In case your curious Ferguson also has produced a study guide to go with this book.

Read. Enjoy. Comment.