Luther argues in Thesis 1 of the Heidelberg Disputation: “The law of God, the most salutary doctrine of life, cannot advance humans on their way to righteousness, but rather hinders them.” Does the law of God indeed make matters worse for us as Forde suggests? If so, in what ways does the law hinder us in regard to righteousness? 

	

How does the theologian of glory treat the law of God in regard to righteousness?

		

		

		

	

Forde says that “the law surrenders its hold on us only when the new is given”. What is the new thing that negates the power of the law over us?

		

		

		

		

	

What is the true function of the Law in regard to righteousness?

		

		

		

		

	

What righteousness does God want to find in us? How does Forde describe this righteousness?

		

		

		

		

	

How do people sometimes use the Law as a defense against the Gospel? What causes this reaction to the Gospel?

		

		

		

	

In what way does the holy law of God actually work to increase our sin?

		

		

		

		

	

Forde says that the theology of glory will not work, but that “it will take some dying” to deal with our sin. What does he mean by this?

		

		

		

		

	

Pr. David A. Kind

	

December 11, 2002