Theocast
The Obedience of Faith: Law, Gospel, and 1 John - Part 1 (w/ Doug Van Dorn)
September 30, 2026
Summary
Should Christians use the law to make believers question their salvation? Jon Moffitt and Doug Van Dorn examine how the law functions before and after someone comes to Christ, and why Scripture's use of the law should not leave believers trapped in fear. The conversation explores assurance, salvation, and the danger of using the law in ways that undermine confidence in Christ. They also address the question of whether Christians should continually doubt their salvation and how gospel clarity brings freedom and assurance.
Topics
- How the law functions before and after someone comes to Christ
- Why using the law to undermine assurance is not gospel clarity
- Assurance, salvation, and confidence in Christ rather than continual doubt
- Law and gospel with Doug Van Dorn in conversation on 1 John
Links
- Part 2 on Reformed Fringe — Doug Van Dorn's podcast
- The Bible According to Jesus — how Jesus teaches us to read the Scriptures
- Rest — free ebook on faith vs. faithfulness
- Partner with Theocast
Transcript
Edited machine transcript. May contain errors. Select a timestamp to watch that moment.
Okay, today is a really important episode.
I've been talking about law gospel distinction for a long time.
I just did an episode on assurance, and I want to explain to you in this particular episode of how we can look at a category of people called Christians, and then we use the law as if they're not
Christians.
We put fear into them and make them question their salvation.
And the text of scripture never does this.
So, we need to understand what is the first use of the law as a mirror to make you afraid and turn to Christ.
And then, once you're in Christ, what's your relationship to the law?
And should you ever doubt your salvation as the relationship to the law?
It's a very important conversation related to a pastor who put a tweet out about should Christians should be questioning their salvation.
I have Doug Van Dorn with me today.
It's a long conversation, but it's definitely worth it.
Stay tuned.
Ever read the Bible and walk away feeling like you're failing?
No matter how hard you try, you're never measuring up.
That's not a motivation problem, that's a reading problem.
Most people have never been taught how to read the Bible the way Jesus taught it.
So when they hear things like, be perfect, deny yourself, take up your cross, they assume it's all about trying harder.
But what if that's not what Jesus was doing at all?
What if the law isn't meant to fix you, but to reveal your need for a savior.
