Last week together, we looked at the Scottish Theologian whose lifespan the 19th century James Buchanan.

This week, we'll take a look at his book that I mentioned briefly.

His big book, it was entitled The Doctrine of Justification,

an outline of its history in the Church,

and of its exposition from Scripture was first published in 1867.

In the introduction, he says,

Justification, this old theology of the Reformation is actually new.

Well, let's jump in to see what he means.

The Gospel is older than Luther,

but to every succeeding generation, it is still new.

Good news from God.

As fresh now as when it first sprung from the fountain of inspiration,

it was new to ourselves,

surprising, startling, and affecting us strangely

as if it were almost too good to be true.

When it first shone like a beam of heaven's own light into our dark and troubled spirits

and shed a broad apiece, which passeth all understanding.

It will equally be new to our children,

and our children's children, when they come to know

that they have sins to be forgiven and souls to be saved.

Into the last sinner who was convinced and converted on the earth,

it will still be as good tidings from a far country,

...