Blotting Out Grace with a Black Magic Marker
Blotting Out Grace with a Black Magic Marker
Blotting Out Grace with a Black Magic Marker is a sermon by Jacksmack77 (Edward Pfenninger) that focuses on the impossibility of justification through the Mosaic law and the necessity of grace through Jesus Christ. The title comes from a rhetorical illustration: if a person rejects grace, it is as though they took a black magic marker and blotted the word grace out of the Bible.[1]
Overview
The sermon begins with the preacher explaining the provocative title, stating that many professing Christians reject grace by seeking justification under the law. He then turns to the Old Testament, particularly the book of Deuteronomy, to demonstrate the demands and curses of the law.[1]
Jacksmack77 stresses that the blessings of obedience in Deuteronomy 28 (vv.1–14) are paired with severe curses for disobedience (vv.15–68). He reads extended portions of the chapter to show the absolute impossibility of keeping the law perfectly. According to him, the only outcome of trying to live under the law is fear, curse, and condemnation.[1]
New Testament Contrast
After expounding on Deuteronomy 28, Jacksmack77 turns to the New Testament to demonstrate that born-again Christians are not under the law. Key passages include:[1]
- Galatians 3:10–13 – Christ redeemed believers from the curse of the law.
- Hebrews 7:11–19 – The priesthood changed to Christ, therefore the law changed as well.
- Romans 3:20–24 – Justification is by grace through faith, not by works of the law.
- John 1:17 – The law came by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
- Ephesians 2:5–9 – Salvation is entirely by grace through faith, not works.
Criticism of Legalism
Jacksmack77 criticizes various theological positions that mix law with grace. He mentions “lordship salvationists,” Judaizers, and covenant theologians such as John MacArthur, accusing them of trying to put Christians back under Mosaic obligations.[1]
Conclusion
The sermon closes by reaffirming that salvation is by grace through faith alone. While the law reveals sin and demonstrates God’s holiness, it cannot justify anyone. For believers, Deuteronomy 28 does not apply as a covenantal framework; instead, they are justified freely by the grace of Christ.[1]