Law and Grace
by Alva J. McClain. 80 pages, paperback, Moody Press.
It is natural for a soul "born from above" to want to please God in every facet of life. Consequently, the question of "how" confronts us early in our Christian experience. It is not surprising then to find the subject of "Law and Grace" upon the testimony of our Lord because of a lack of clear teaching on this subject and it behooves us to take advantage of any scriptural presentation of these issues. This is precisely what we have in the above titled volume.
This book was born out of the authors deep concern over the prevailing trend toward turning back to the obligations of the "moral law" as an answer to the low moral state of Christians generally.
Do not let its size fool you, I will gladly take this one over many oversized volumes on the same subject. What it lacks in size it makes up for in content. It presents itself as a tool for the workman, not merely an academic treatise to be admired! While there is little reading here there is lots of studying - in the scriptures! The author writes in clear, concise language and approaches his subject progressively, with outlines designed to enhance retention. Dispensational and technical distinctions are clearly laid out and continuously insisted upon as the key to this all important subject. In this regard, the book becomes a warning against the danger of misplaced truth, but not without skillfully using this dark background to put in bold relief Christ as our object and grace as our pathway.
Mr. McClain does not dodge the tough questions but faces them honestly answering objections and clarifying problem texts fairly and effectively. His scholarly pen is not afraid to grapple with the technicalities of grammar without losing sight of the simple Christian, so that all may benefit. The beauty of brevity is never lost by complexity of communication. The words of Paul seem to fit well here, "I desire to speak five words with my understanding, that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue" 1 Corinthians 14:19 (Darby Trans.).
The reader will appreciate how in a few quick strokes of the pen Mr. McClain effectively destroys the erroneous teaching that would abrogate the ceremonial and civil aspects of the Law while maintaining its moral code as a "rule of life" for the believer! This is all to common today and must be vigorously rejected. The intertwining unity of these three elements of the Law (singular) is presented along with its penalties as inseparable from it. However, "all scripture...is profitable" and in this context we are shown the value of the Law and O.T. scripture.
In the chapter entitled "The Standard of Life for Christians" our writer answers the question "what does it mean to keep the words and commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ" (pg 62, paragraph 4) in a masterfully succinct but satisfying way. I guess I'll leave that for you to read for yourself! In this context I was struck with the warning, "If we center upon the 'will of God' and ignore the 'context of grace', it is possible to erect a legalistic system even on such books as Romans and Galatians!" pg 64, paragraph 1.
There is one objection that must be raised regarding chapter 2 entitled "How the Law Could Give Life". Needless to say such a title suggests a "potential" in man that does not exist! Opening this chapter is the statement, "Hypothetically, the law could give life if men kept it." Lev 18:5; Ezek 20:11, 13, 21 and 19:17b are given as evidence in support of this claim. These, of course, do not support such a "hypothesis" as a careful examination of the context will show. Nor do I know of any scripture that sanctions such a thought. However, the writer does such an eloquent job of demolishing his own "hypothesis" that the effects of such an opening statement are negligible. In fact the last section of this short chapter shows the conclusion the writer has come to. "Actually, then, the law can save no sinner. On this point the witness of the Bible is ample and unbroken" (emphasis mine). He refers the reader to Rom 3:20; Acts 13:39; Gal 2:16, 21; 3:11 as the basis for this conclusion. In chapter 3 he refers to Paul as "the man who was the surest that this law could in no wise give life and salvation to sinners" (emphasis mine). Note also his reference to Gal 3:21b in paragraph 3. It appears that Mr. McClain lost sight of the purpose of the law for just a moment but his recovery is quick and thorough.
If you are pressed for time, short on cash and want "just the facts" then this is the volume for you!
George Cofresi