The Third Use of the Law: What? Again?—Rev. Dr. Scott R. Murray
*Register for “The Faith of Our Fathers: The Law of God Is Good and Wise” conference here.
The third use of the law is the doctrine that we love to hate. Why is its denial so insidious and why are we facing this challenge again? With his extensive knowledge of the debates over the third use of the law in American Lutheranism, Rev. Dr. Murray will bring his historical and theological wisdom to bear on this perennial issue.
The Rev. Dr. Scott R. Murray is third vice-president and a member of the Praesidium of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). He also currently serves as senior pastor of Memorial Lutheran Church, Houston, Texas, where he was called in 1996. He also served on the LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations — as a member from 1995 to 2001. In addition, he served on the board of the Lutheran Education Association of Houston (2001–2007); as an editorial associate for Logia, a journal of Lutheran theology; and was chairman of the Board of Directors of Luther Academy (2012–2015), an organization that promotes confessional Lutheran theology. Born in Kitchener, Ontario, Murray graduated with a B.A. from Concordia University, Ann Arbor, Mich., in 1980 and earned a Master of Divinity from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind., in 1983. He also holds a master’s degree from Loyola University and a Ph.D. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Murray writes a devotion every weekday called “Memorial Moments,” which is based on the church fathers. He also is the author of Law, Life, and the Living God (Concordia Publishing House, 2001) and A Year with the Church Fathers (Concordia Publishing House, 2011). In addition, he has edited several books, including The Gates of Hell (Concordia Publishing House, 2018), and has written numerous journal articles. Murray and his wife, Maryann, live in Houston. They have two daughters and five grandchildren.
Check out two of Steadfast Press’s new releases: Diving into Concord and Coming out Lutheran: A Practical Commentary on the Lutheran Confessions by Rev. Neil Carlson and Grace Upon Grace: Gospel Sermons for the Church Year by Prof. George Stoeckhardt and translated by Erwin Koehlinger.