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Review ArticleLillback, Hthe Reformed hermeneutic discussed works in thecontext ofjustification because the covenant had two parts" (p.125). This is ominous.Lillback returns to the alleged difference between Lutherandthe Reformed over the place of good works. In a section of thebook headed"Calvin's Disagreement with LutherRegarding God'sAcceptanceofthe Believer's Good Works" (pp. 185-193), Lillbackgrievously misrepresents Luther as teaching "the Christian to beignorant of the law" (p. 186). The truth is that Luther taughtChristians to be ignorant ofthe law in the matteroftheirjust~fication.By no means did Luther deny the necessity ofgood works ofobedience to the law in the matter ofsanctification. Even worsethan the misrepresentation ofLuther is Lillback's as yet somewhatobscure suggestion that Calvin taught ajustification that includedthe believer's own good works.Luther's understanding ofjustification by faith alone had no roomfor inherent righteousness, while Calvin's view required it as aninseparable but subordinate righteousness.... Calvin is insistentthat works have a proper place in the discussion ofjustification byfaith alone.... The law had no place in Luther's discussion ofjustification. But in Calvin's mind, the believer's obedience wasan "inseparable accident" to the justification doctrine (pp. 192,193).In this way, Lillback carefully lays the groundwork for anunambiguous, ifcautious, declaration that Calvin taughtjustificationby faith and faith's works. The declaration is importantenough to warrant the long quotation.What is particularly important to remember at this point is thatCalvin's development ofthe idea ofthe acceptance ofmen's worksby God was expressed in terms of the covenant. The works werenot seen as meritorious, but rather, God has promised to rewardworks with spiritual gifts, and this promise ofthe law)s realized bythe gracious gifts of the covenant. God in covenant has liberallyforgiven the sin in men's works, and actually enabled those worksby His Spirit. This idea he readily admits is the common doctrineofthe Schoolmen, except they developed their ideaofthe covenantNovember, 2001