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Speaking from experience, youth pastors are oftentimes discouraged from preaching on grace. “Too much grace” is the gospel-horror of every parent. For fear of lawless children, youth pastors are chided into castrating the gospel-message. Yet, a proper distinction of both God’s law and God’s gospel eradicates this notion, allowing a true and right freedom to be expounded to believers of all ages. Such is the subject of the bulk of my conversation with my good friend RJ Grunewald.

In this premier episode of Ministry Minded, I was afforded the opportunity to sit down with RJ and dive into the theology of the distinction between God’s law and God’s gospel, and its extreme significance for youth ministers and parents alike. We also touch on the beauty and importance of a theology work and vocation.

Resources.

The Art of Law and Gospel, RJ Grunewald

Galatians: Selections from Martin Luther’s Commentary, RJ Grunewald

Addiction: Leaving the Vomit Behind, RJ Grunewald

Reading Romans with Luther, RJ Grunewald

Law and Gospel: A Theology for Sinners (and Saints), William McDavid, Ethan Richardson, & David Zahl

Grace in Practice: A Theology of Everyday Life, Paul Zahl

Spirituality of the Cross Revised Edition, Gene Edward Veith

God at Work (Redesign): Your Christian Vocation in All of Life, Gene Edward Veith Jr.

Grace: So Much More Than You Know and So Much Better Than You Think, Brad J. Gray

Sponsor.

This episode is brought to you by the Christian Standard Bible. Find out more by going to CSBible.com.

Notes.

RJ is the associate pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Troy, Michigan, where he lives and serves with his wife and three children. He’s also a regular conference speaker, avid blogger, and accomplished writer — having already completed four books. You can read some of his blogs at rjgrune.com, as well as Christ Hold Fast. You can also follow him on Twitter, @rjgrune.

Credits.

Intro music: “West Coast” by Ryan Little, licensed under CC BY 4.0.