The Essential Forde[1] is a collection without context. The book includes four chapters from Forde’s thesis, The Law-Gospel Debate,[2] and other articles or selections from his writings. But no context is given for any item. Not even bibliographical information. We give you the context in the real Forde–
[1] The Essential Forde. Distinguishing Law and Gospel. Gerhard O. Forde, eds. Nicholas Hopman, Mark C. Mattes, and Steven D. Paulson (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2019).
[2] Forde, The Law-Gospel Debate: An Interpretation of its Historical Development (Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1969).