The Complete Christ

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 yet often forgotten eighteenth-century debate that addressed the correct relationship between God’s grace and our works—Sinclair Ferguson sheds light on this central issue and shows why it remains important today. In doing so, Ferguson explains how what we understand about the relationship between law and gospel determines our approach to evangelism, our goal in sanctification, and even our understanding of God himself.

Ferguson shows that the antidote to the poison of both legalism and antinomianism is one: the life-giving gospel of Christ Jesus, in whom we are at once justified by faith, free to do good works, and assured of our salvation.

"While this work is fascinating as a piece of historical analysis, its importance is even more evident when viewed as a careful biblical and theological guide to a better understanding of the controversies surrounding legalism, antinomianism, and the assurance of the gospel. I am grateful that Ferguson has tackled such a relevant topic with his academic mind and pastoral heart." - Kevin DeYoung, Pastor; author, What Does the Bible Really Teach About Homosexuality? and Do Something

“I can think of no one else I would trust more to explore and analyze this vital material. For me, this is one of the most important and definitive books I have read in four decades.” - Derek Thomas, Pastor; author, When the Storm Rages and God Strengthens.