John D. Koch, Jr. explores the current debates surrounding the relationship between the distinction between law and gospel and the doctrine of justification by faith as they are being discussed among various theological traditions. In addition, he shows how a certain commitment to the centrality of the distinction between law and gospel can overcome linguistic and cultural differences as seen in the sympathetic reading of the American Lutheran, Gerhard O. Forde, and German Lutheran, Oswald Bayer. Using their theology as a guide, the author looks at the various criticisms levied by the Roman Catholic Church, the Finnish Lutheran School, the New Perspective on Paul, and other contemporary voices of dissent. This work is of interest to anyone dealing with the 20th century background of the current discussions surrounding this "article upon which the church stands or falls."