EXPLAINATION- The Doctrines of Law and Gospel are foundational to the proper interpretation of Scripture. The most root of most false teaching in the whole pale of Christianity is brought about by a mingling of these two parts of Scripture. The Scriptures gives us two messages that are not opposed to each other but rather work together to bring about the Salvation of man. C.F.W. Walther was the first president of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and he lectured at the St. Louis seminary to the men who were there being trained to be Pastors who would rightly divide the Word of Truth. Below are the are 25 thesis that came from 39 Friday evening lectures. I have merely listed the thesis and not any of the lectures that explain the Scripture that teaches each one. For a complete reading of the lectures I recommend: The proper distinction between Law and Gospel by Dr.C.F.W. Walther published by the Concordia Publishing House of St. Louis MI.
THE LAW: That which Scripture assigns as our responsibility either as individuals or specific groups. These are the statements from God that carry a "Thou Shalt" or "Thou Shalt Not" type tone. It tells us what we are to do.
THE GOSPEL: The Message of God to us that tells us what God has done, is doing, and promises for us in our lives and for Salvation. viz., The repairing of our relationship with Him through the redeeming work of Jesus Christ on Calvary and the Sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit unto eternal life.
I. The doctrinal contents of the entire Holy Scriptures, both of the Old and the New Testament, are made up of two doctrines differing fundamentally from each other, viz., the Law and the Gospel.
II. Only he is an orthodox teacher who not only presents all the articles of faith in accordance with Scripture, but rightly distinguishes from each other the Law and the Gospel.
III. Rightly distinguishing the Law and the Gospel is the most difficult and the highest art of Christians in general and of theologians in particular. It is taught only by the Holy Spirit in the school of experience.
IV. The true knowledge of the distinction between the Law and the Gospel is not only a glorious light, affording the correct understanding of the entire Holy Scriptures, but without this knowledge Scripture is and remains a sealed book.
V. The first manner of confounding Law and Gospel is the one most easily recognized and the grossest. That Christ is represented as a new Moses, or Lawgiver, and the Gospel turned into a doctrine of meritorious works, while at the same time those who teach that the gospel is the message of the free grace of God in Christ are condemned and anathematized, as is done by the Papists.
VI. In the second place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when the Law is not preached in its full sternness and the Gospel not in its full sweetness, when, on the contrary, Gospel elements are mingled with the Law and Law elements with the Gospel.
VII. In the third place the Word of God is not rightly divided when the Gospel is preached first and then the Law; Sanctification first and then Justification; Faith first and then repentance; good works first and then Grace.
VIII. In the fourth place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when the Law is preached to those who are already in terror on account of their sins, of the gospel to those who live securely in their sins.
IX. In the fifth place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when sinners who have been struck sown and terrified by the Law are directed, not to the Word and the Sacraments, but to their own prayers and wrestlings with God in order that they may win their way into a state of grace; in other words, when they are told to keep on praying and struggling until they feel that God has received them into grace.
X. In the sixth place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when the preacher describes faith in a manner as if the mere inert acceptance of truths, even while a person is living in mortal sins, renders that person righteous in the sight of God and saves him; or as if faith makes a person righteous and saves him for the reason that it produces in him love and reformation of his mode of living.
XI. In the seventh place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when there is a disposition to offer the comfort of the Gospel only to those who have been make contrite by the Law, not from fear of the wrath and punishment of God, but from love of God.
XII. In the eighth place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when the preacher represents contrition alongside of faith as a cause of the forgiveness of sin.
XIII. In the ninth place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when one makes an appeal to believe in a manner as if a person could make himself believe or at least help towards that end, instead of preaching faith into a person's heart by laying the Gospel promises before him.
XIV. In the tenth place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when faith is required as a condition of justification and salvation, as if a person were righteous in the sight of God and saved, not only by faith, but also on account of his faith, for the sake of his faith, and in view of his faith.
XV. In the eleventh place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when the Gospel is turned into a preaching of repentance.
XVI. In the twelfth place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when the preacher tries to make people believe that they are truly converted as soon as they have become rid of certain vices and engage in certain works of piety and virtuous practices.
XVII. In the thirteenth place the Word of God is not rightly divided when a description is given of faith, both as regards its strength and the consciousness and productiveness of it, that does not fit all believers at all times.
XVIII. In the fourteenth place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when the universal corruption of mankind is described in such a manner as to create the impression that even true believers are still under the of ruling sins and are sinning purposely.
XIX. In the fifteenth place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when the preacher speaks of certain sins as if they were not of a damnable, but venial nature.
XX. In the sixteenth place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when a person's salvation is made to depend on his association with the visible orthodox Church and when salvation is denied to every person who errs in any article of faith.
XXI. In the seventeenth place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when men are taught that the Sacraments produce salutary effects ex opere operato, that is by the mere outward performance of a sacramental act.
XXII. In the eighteenth place, the Word of god is not rightly divided when a false distinctions is made between a person's being awakened and his being converted; moreover, when a person's inability to believe is mistaken for his not being permitted to believe.
XXIII. In the nineteenth place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when an attempt is made by means of the demands or the threats or the promises of the Law to induce the unregenerate to put away their sins and engage in good works and thus become godly; on the other hand, when an endeavor is made, by means of the commands of the Law rather than by the admonitions of the gospel, to urge the regenerate to do good.
XXIV. In the twentieth place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when the unforgiven sin against the Holy Spirit is described in a manner as if it could bot be forgiven because of its magnitude.
XXV. In the twenty-first place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when the person reaching it does fot allow the Gospel to gave a general predominance in his teaching.