A response to Martin Luther's "Treatise on Christian Liberty"
To take in the full meaning of this essay, it would be beneficial to read over Luther's original document. A copy of the Treatise can be found here: http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/wittenberg/luther/web/cclib-2.html
"It does not help the soul if the body... is occupied with sacred duties or prays, fasts, abstains..." (Luther)
Luther is mistaken in this reasoning, in that he does not take into account that while the flesh and spirit are two separate and contradicting commodities, they are inseparably joined until the point of death, when we abandon our weak flesh. While still living, the two are joined, and what affects one will have profound effect on the other. It is by strengthening their spirit that the martyrs were able to strengthen their flesh, and only thereby endure the tortures of the persecuting they suffered. Likewise will abuse of the body adversely affect the spirit. It is only by God's grace that one is able to overcome the spirit's natural reaction to physical suffering.
By discipline our flesh via fasting, abstinence and prayer, we are able to combat the body's inclination to pull us away from our spiritual walk. While Luther is correct in the statement, "...the things which have been mentioned could be done my any wicked person." he neglects the fact that this can be true of any Christian duty. Even the wicked can aid the poor or comfort those who mourn. Should these noble Christian works be cast aside, merely because the wicked might also perform them? Surely not. So neither should God's gifts of the Sacraments be neglected. In His chastisement of the Pharisees, it is the motivation behind their acts which Christ criticizes, rather than the acts themselves.
Luther justifies his view that works are not necessary in the statement "... it is clear that... it is justified by faith alone, and not any works for if it could be justified by anything else, it would not need the Word, and consequently it would not need faith..." While it is certainly true that it is one's faith that saves them, not works lest any man should boast, it is also true that faith without works is dead. When asked how one can be saved, Christ would respond "repent and be baptized." It is not the baptism which saves, as even a baptized person can lack salvation, but the follow up of the obedience that confirms the faith. If one believes yet does not obey, does not strive to live a pious, godly life, then they are the very definition of a faithless person. One can claim all day to be a friend to their brother, but if they are not there when needed, if one does not back up their claim with works, then they are not a very faithful friend. Likewise, profession without obedience is vain. Not all who say "Lord, Lord," shall be saved. The parable of the sower is a perfect example of this truth. Those whose faith was shallow were eaten up or choked out. Their belief did them little good as they were faithless. Too often the words "belief" and "faith" are used interchangeably. One can believe many things, and still be faithful in few. Belief is a component of faith, but faith encompasses much more than mere belief.
Luther makes a fine point in saying that "They [the commandments] are intended to teach man to know himself, that through them he may recognize his inability to do good and may despair of his own ability." This is wonderfully worded and very true, but does not exempt us of the works God had gifted us to do. As Paul says, "I strive for the mark of the high call." True, we can never live up to God's goodness, but we must always try. To aid this struggle, He gifted us with confession, penance, the Eucharist, etc. To cast aside these beautiful gifts is to snub God of His blessings offered to us, and is a great sin; not to mention extremely arrogant.
Luther's view on liberty is skewed in that it views works as a form of heavy bondage when in fact, they are the lighter yoke for which Christ exchanges the heavy yoke of sin. Paul refers to himself as a "slave to Christ" in which we become free of sin. By doing the devotions and works that God has given us, we become willing slaves of our good Master, rather than continuing to be slaves to the deadly yoke of sin. By utilizing these spiritual gifts, we are able to attain a closer walk with God and find true Christian Liberty.
In John Bunyan's book The Pilgrim's Progress, Christian speaks to Apollyon (Satan) as to how the wages for God's work are far better than the wages for Apollyon's, for the "wages of sin is death." When we become Christians, we receive new wages, not a decreased workload. However, we are assured that things will be better (not easier), and in knowing that it is God's work, we can be strengthened. It is by this strain and struggle-- and yes, even suffering, that we draw closer to God. Amen.
Vincent Christian
"It does not help the soul if the body... is occupied with sacred duties or prays, fasts, abstains..." (Luther)
Luther is mistaken in this reasoning, in that he does not take into account that while the flesh and spirit are two separate and contradicting commodities, they are inseparably joined until the point of death, when we abandon our weak flesh. While still living, the two are joined, and what affects one will have profound effect on the other. It is by strengthening their spirit that the martyrs were able to strengthen their flesh, and only thereby endure the tortures of the persecuting they suffered. Likewise will abuse of the body adversely affect the spirit. It is only by God's grace that one is able to overcome the spirit's natural reaction to physical suffering.
By discipline our flesh via fasting, abstinence and prayer, we are able to combat the body's inclination to pull us away from our spiritual walk. While Luther is correct in the statement, "...the things which have been mentioned could be done my any wicked person." he neglects the fact that this can be true of any Christian duty. Even the wicked can aid the poor or comfort those who mourn. Should these noble Christian works be cast aside, merely because the wicked might also perform them? Surely not. So neither should God's gifts of the Sacraments be neglected. In His chastisement of the Pharisees, it is the motivation behind their acts which Christ criticizes, rather than the acts themselves.
Luther justifies his view that works are not necessary in the statement "... it is clear that... it is justified by faith alone, and not any works for if it could be justified by anything else, it would not need the Word, and consequently it would not need faith..." While it is certainly true that it is one's faith that saves them, not works lest any man should boast, it is also true that faith without works is dead. When asked how one can be saved, Christ would respond "repent and be baptized." It is not the baptism which saves, as even a baptized person can lack salvation, but the follow up of the obedience that confirms the faith. If one believes yet does not obey, does not strive to live a pious, godly life, then they are the very definition of a faithless person. One can claim all day to be a friend to their brother, but if they are not there when needed, if one does not back up their claim with works, then they are not a very faithful friend. Likewise, profession without obedience is vain. Not all who say "Lord, Lord," shall be saved. The parable of the sower is a perfect example of this truth. Those whose faith was shallow were eaten up or choked out. Their belief did them little good as they were faithless. Too often the words "belief" and "faith" are used interchangeably. One can believe many things, and still be faithful in few. Belief is a component of faith, but faith encompasses much more than mere belief.
Luther makes a fine point in saying that "They [the commandments] are intended to teach man to know himself, that through them he may recognize his inability to do good and may despair of his own ability." This is wonderfully worded and very true, but does not exempt us of the works God had gifted us to do. As Paul says, "I strive for the mark of the high call." True, we can never live up to God's goodness, but we must always try. To aid this struggle, He gifted us with confession, penance, the Eucharist, etc. To cast aside these beautiful gifts is to snub God of His blessings offered to us, and is a great sin; not to mention extremely arrogant.
Luther's view on liberty is skewed in that it views works as a form of heavy bondage when in fact, they are the lighter yoke for which Christ exchanges the heavy yoke of sin. Paul refers to himself as a "slave to Christ" in which we become free of sin. By doing the devotions and works that God has given us, we become willing slaves of our good Master, rather than continuing to be slaves to the deadly yoke of sin. By utilizing these spiritual gifts, we are able to attain a closer walk with God and find true Christian Liberty.
In John Bunyan's book The Pilgrim's Progress, Christian speaks to Apollyon (Satan) as to how the wages for God's work are far better than the wages for Apollyon's, for the "wages of sin is death." When we become Christians, we receive new wages, not a decreased workload. However, we are assured that things will be better (not easier), and in knowing that it is God's work, we can be strengthened. It is by this strain and struggle-- and yes, even suffering, that we draw closer to God. Amen.
Vincent Christian
posted by Vincent Christian | 5:54 AM
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