What is the Marrow Controversy?

Historical Overview

The Marrow Controversy emerged in the early 18th century, primarily affecting the Church of Scotland. It centered around a republication of a mid-17th-century work titled “The Marrow of Modern Divinity,” first attributed to Edward Fisher. When Scottish minister Thomas Boston rediscovered and promoted the text, a fierce debate arose regarding the roles of grace, faith, and law in the believer’s salvation and sanctification.

During this period, some within the Church of Scotland had grown concerned about the possibility of “antinomianism” (the belief that moral law is not necessary for believers) and “legalism” (the tendency to impose works as a requirement for salvation). Proponents of The Marrow (often called “Marrow Men”) insisted that law and grace are in harmony, yet they emphasized God’s free and sovereign grace in salvation so strongly that critics accused them of downplaying obedience. The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland eventually condemned certain “Marrow” teachings, sparking a theological battle among ministers and congregations.

The Content of “The Marrow of Modern Divinity”

First published in 1645, The Marrow of Modern Divinity is a dialogue that explores how Old and New Testament teachings on the law and gospel function together. It highlights the free offer of the gospel to all who will believe and the danger of a so-called “legal spirit” that might dilute the pure grace of God. Although it affirmed the necessity of holy living, its emphasis on Christ’s righteousness sparked concern. Some feared that by underscoring faith alone through grace, the book diminished the church’s authority to call believers to godly conduct.

Key Figures in the Controversy

1. Edward Fisher: The original author of The Marrow of Modern Divinity. While not much is definitively known about his life, his work profoundly influenced subsequent thinkers.

2. Thomas Boston (1676–1732): One of the principal architects of the “Marrow” side. A deeply pastoral Scottish minister, he believed The Marrow effectively communicated the balanced Reformed teaching on law, gospel, and assurance.

3. James Hog, Ebenezer Erskine, and Ralph Erskine: Other notable “Marrow Men” who vigorously defended the text, believing it represented biblical orthodoxy.

4. The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland: The governing body that found certain statements in The Marrow problematic, eventually delivering an official rebuke to ministers who endorsed its ideas.

Central Doctrinal Debates: Grace and the Law

At the core of the dispute was the question: “Does the gospel offer salvation to all (‘offer’ meaning that anyone may receive it by faith), and how does that free offer intersect with calls to repentance and obedience?” Critics alleged that The Marrow indirectly encouraged believers to live without regard to moral standards, interpreting “free grace” as license. Supporters maintained that free grace, rightly understood, produces heartfelt obedience out of gratitude rather than fear or coercion.

Passages like Ephesians 2:8–9 were especially pivotal: “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.” Advocates of The Marrow argued that this text, along with others, underscores God’s grace as the sole cause of our salvation—yet they also pointed to verses like James 2:17, “So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead,” to show that genuine faith leads to good works.

Biblical and Theological Foundations

A staple argument for the Marrow Men was the inseparability of the law from the gospel as two sides of the same biblical revelation. They referenced Paul’s remarks in Romans 3:28, “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law,” alongside passages where the apostle commends obedience as an outflow of faith (see Romans 6 on dying to sin). The theological aim was to preserve the integrity of “Christ alone” in salvation while honoring the Word’s clear commands for a holy life.

They also drew from Old Testament precedents, highlighting that the covenant promises, starting with Abraham (Genesis 12, 15, 17), were gracious. The law given through Moses (Exodus 20) was never intended as a method of redemption but a guide for covenant people to reflect the character of a compassionate and holy God.

Pastoral and Practical Concerns

While theological nuances often take center stage in controversies of this nature, a pastoral concern aimed to ensure believers did not slip into despair (believing they could never live up to God’s standards) or presumption (treating the free grace of God as permission to sin). The Marrow Men fervently wanted Christians to rest securely in Christ’s finished work, as well as to experience the spiritual joy and moral transformation that comes from union with Him.

Influential ministers like Thomas Boston saw many in their congregations wrestling with assurance of salvation. They believed a “gospel of grace” alone, properly framed, would comfort troubled consciences, encourage authentic godliness through the Holy Spirit, and prevent both legalism and lawlessness.

The Condemnation and Ongoing Impact

Despite the General Assembly’s condemnation, the ideas championed by The Marrow survived. Over time, the main thrust—that the gospel is offered freely to all who repent and believe, while genuine faith inevitably produces a fruitful Christian life—took firm root. The Marrow Controversy remains a key example of how Christian communities balance the theological tensions between free grace and faithful obedience.

The debate also influenced later discussions about assurance, the relationship of faith and works, and the pastoral dimension of Reformed religion. It highlights the importance of properly handling Scripture, ensuring that we neither add burdensome requirements to what God has decreed nor strip away the moral texture of the Lord’s revealed will.

Enduring Lessons

1. Grace Is Fully Free: Human merit does not contribute to salvation, and believers are led daily by grateful submission to God’s Word.

2. Obedience Springs from Faith: Authentic faith, enlivened by the Holy Spirit, naturally pursues holiness in both private devotion and public life.

3. Never Neglect Pastoral Care: Doctrinal precision must be extended with compassion. Ministers and believers alike need scriptural clarity and gentle guidance for struggling hearts.

Conclusion

The Marrow Controversy highlights the complexity of holding together grace and holiness in Christian teaching. It is a prime historical example of how a biblical emphasis on free salvation through Christ alone interacts with the biblically mandated call to a transformed life. In the end, the Marrow Men and their critics both hoped to uphold Scripture’s truth, yet they differed on where to place the emphasis in articulating that truth.

The conversation that grew out of The Marrow of Modern Divinity and the debates that followed still resonates in church life, reminding all believers to recognize that we are saved only by God’s grace (Titus 3:5–7) and that a living faith manifests itself in works of righteousness (Titus 3:8)—all to the glory of God.