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CHRIST COLLEGE - SYDNEY
ASSIGNMENT COVER SHEET - ONLINE SUBMISSION
Thissheetmustbeaddedtothefrontoftheanyassignmentwhichissubmittedonline.Studentname:DudleyLai ACT
Number:200815806
Course:M.Div Unitcode,Unittitle:TH689
Assignmenttopic:MartinLutherontheplaceofworksintheChristianlife
Wordcountrequired:2000 Wordcountactual:2226
Lecturer:BradleyGreen,MurraySmith
Datedue:5/5/2017 Extension number and date: s126094, 13/5/2017
Datesubmitted:13/5/2017
Regulations:• Essays must conform to the requirements of the ACT (refer to the relevant ACT Handbook
in the library or website).• Essays should be typewritten, double spaced with a margin. All pages should be numbered.• Should you anticipate difficulty in meeting the due date due to medical or other reasons
(not ministry or work commitments), you may apply to the registrar for an extension. Download and complete a form and email it to Allister Lum Mow ([email protected])
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The following assignment, of which I have kept a copy, is entirely the work of theundersigned and that all sources of ideas and expressions are duly acknowledged infootnotes or endnotes. I declare that I have read and understood theACT’s AcademicMisconductPolicy.(www.act.org.au/policy%20files/Academic%20Misconduct%20Policy.pdf ).Name:____DudleyLai_________________________
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SynopsisTheteachingofgoodworkswasimportanttoLuther.HistoryhasshownthatLuther’sradical
teachingofjustificationbyfaithalonehasconfusedmanyabouthispositionongoodworks.
Pressurescamefromthecongregation,theprincesandtheRomanChurchpushedLutherto
clarify. Luthermade clear thathis objectionwasnotworks, onlyworkswithout faith.His
exaltationoffaithhasmademanypositivecontributionsinreformingthechurch’spractice
ofgoodworks.HoweverrecurrentantinomiandisputescontinuedtohauntLutherandhis
church. Theological assessment considers Luther’s inner andouterpersondistinction, the
doctrine of the use of the Law, and the Gospel-Law distinction. Both distinctions are
fundamentaltoLuther’stheologicalconstructonwhichtheteachingofworksissetup.Itis
importantandpositivetonotethatLutherupheldanaturallawandtaughtathirduseofthe
Law.However,therearesomeproblemsinthedistinctionsinhistheologythatcanpotentially
leadtoalevelofantinomianism.
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The teachingofworks is important toLuther.Thisessaywillexplain this fromahistorical
perspective.ItwillshowthecontributionsLuthermade,amidstconfusionsandcontroversies.
ThentheessaywillassessLuther’stheologyonworks,firstaccordingtohisinnerandouter
persondistinction,thenaccordingtohisGospel-Lawdialectic.TheessaywillshowthatLuther
upheld the Law for the teaching of good works. However, there are problems in his
theologicaldistinctionsthatcanleadtoalevelofantinomianism.
Historicalcontext
Luther’sreformanditsreaction
Luthertaughtthatjustificationandsalvationisbyfaithalone,notbyworks.Headvocated
everyChristiantoputasideconfidenceinworks,tolookbeyondworksandconsiderone’s
standingbeforeGod,tochallengethechurch’spreceptsandprescriptionofgoodworks.
Suchteachingwasradicalatthetime.Manywereconfused,astherumourofLutherintending
togetridofgoodworkshadspreadpriorto1517.1TherewaspressurefromtheWittenberg
congregation, especially the ruling class, demanding clarification.2The princes needed to
knowwhereLutherstoodongoodworks,becausetheteachingonsuchsubjectcouldimpact
thesecurityandprosperityoftheirkingdoms.TheRomanchurchalsoassertedpressureby
commendingherselftorulersofheremphasisonteachinggoodworks.Lutherclarifiedhis
teachingbypublishingTheTreatiseonWorksin1520.3
Luther’sclarificationonworks
Lutherclarifiedthatworksarenothisobjection,onlyworkswithoutfaith.Hepromotedgood
worksbystatingthataChristianlifeissupposedtobefilledwiththem.Upholdingjustification
by faith alone, he advocated its benefits in enablingworks tobedonehumbly, sincerely,
1‘DukeGeorgeofSaxonyhadreceivednogoodimpressionfromasermonLutherhaddeliveredatDresden,becausehefearedtheconsequenceswhichLuther'sdoctrineofjustificationbyfaithalonemighthaveuponthemoralsofthemasses.’MartinLuther,TheTreatiseonGoodWorks.Trans.M.RueinChristianClassicsEtherealLibrary.Preface.2Therearelettersbycorrespondence,showingthatGeorgeSpalatin,court-preachertotheElector,remindedLutherofapromise,whichLutherhadalsogiventohisWittenbergcongregation,thathepromisedtodeliverasermonongoodworks;onMarch25,1520,LutherwrotetoSpalatintellinghimsuchpromisewouldbedeliveredintheformofabookletinsteadofasermon.Luther,Treatise,Preface.3BytheincentiveofGeorgeSpalatin,thecourtpreacheroftheElector,LutherfinishedTheTreatiseonWorksin1520,dedicatingittoJohn-brotherofFredericktheWise-whosucceededFrederickin1527.
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joyfully, rather thanproudly,hypocriticallywithmercenarymotive.The frameworkof the
treatybeinganexpositionofthetencommandmentsdemonstratesthathistheologyisnot
antinomian,ratheritaimsatfulfillingGod’slaw.
Luther exposed how the practice of good works in church had departed from God’s
commandments.Hediagnosedthehierarchicalmentalityregardinggoodworksasthelackof
faithinChrist’sworkinjustification,thatpeopleconjuredup‘superiorworks’towinGod’s
favour. Seeing faith as the chiefworkand the fulfilmentof the first commandment, such
faithlessnessleadstothebreakingofthefirst,andthefailureinkeepingtherest,ofGod’s
commandments.
Luther’sinsightofthenecessityoffaithinallworksisproductiveinreformingthechurch:
1.itpromotesthebibleastheauthorityoverthechurch’spreceptsandprescriptionsongood
works,whichcanbeevaluatedbytwoprinciples:discipliningtheflesh,servingneighbours.
Luther’srecurrentemphasisisthatGod’scommandmentsinhisWordalonemakesabeliever
sobusywithgoodworks,thereisnoroomforman-made‘goodworks’.
2.itbroadensgoodworkstoeveryaspectoflife.Itpromotessincerityandtheocentricity.4
WitharestoredrelationshipwithGodbyfaithasthekey,everymoment isamomentfor
goodworks.
3.itgivesmeaningtoallclassesandroles.ThepervasivenessofGodcommandmentsenables
peopleinallwalksoflifetomakethemostoftheircallingtoserveGodandeachother.
4.itpromotessocialjustice.God’scommandmentscompelbelieverstodogoodtoeveryone,
without distinction, including the lowly, the needy, foreigners and enemies. As Luther
4Lutherillustratesthisbyloverswhobelieveintheirlove,‘theymakenodifferenceinlove,theydothegreat,thelong,themuch,asgladlyasthesmall,theshort,thelittleandviceversa.Luther,Treatise.vi
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declared,‘aChristianisaperfectlyfreelordofall,subjecttonone.5AChristianisaperfectly
dutifulservantofall,subjectofall’.6
5.itdeepenstheunderstandingofGod’scommandments.BeingcertainofGod’sforgiveness
enablesone tobemore critical of oneself, and to seekdeeper into theessenceofGod’s
commandments,insteadofsimplyobservingthemaswrittencodes.
Lutherclarifiedhisstanceandinsistedongoodworks-donebyfaithaccordingtoGod’sword
andcommandments-beinganimportantpartofaChristianlife;yet,controversiescontinued.
In 1527, JohnAgricola, Luther’s colleague, basedon1Tim1:9, denied the Law’s ability to
convict the conscience, to compel into good works, as the Law has nothing to do with
Gentiles.7ThisresultedinAgricolabeingaccusedasantinomian.Thiscontroversywassettled
attheTorgauCastlemeeting,inwhichLutherinsistedontheLawofMosesbepreached.Ten
yearslaterantinomiandisputesresurfaced.
TheessaywillnowturntoLuther’stheology.Itwillfirstlydiscussthedistinctionbetweenthe
innerandtheouterperson,secondlywilldiscussthedistinctionbetweentheGospelandthe
Law.ThosetwodistinctionsarefundamentaltoLuther’stheologicalconstruct,onwhichthe
teachingofworksissetup.
5MarkD.TranvikdisagreeswithHaroldGrimm’stranslation:‘subjecttonone’,whichhecriticisesasfailingtocomprehendLuther’sconcerninthisessaythatallrelationships(includinginanimatethingslikemoney,property,anddiet)areencompassedbyChristianfreedom,andpreferstotranslateas‘completelyfreeofeverything’.WhileTranvikisnotwrongregardingLuther’soveralldoctrine,theessayprefersGrimm’stranslation.Firstly,Luther’sprooftextsforsuchstatementare1Cor9:19andRo13:8,inwhichPaulclearlytalksaboutrelationshipwithpeople,notanimatedthings.Secondlythehistoricalcontextlendsmoretowardspeople;understandably,withsuchstatement,Lutherchallengedthesupremepowerofthepope,andralliedotherChristians,especiallyChristianpoliticalpowers,tothecause,asseenin‘TotheChristianNobilityoftheGermanNation’.6MartinLuther,TheFreedomofChristianTrans.MarkD.Tranvik(Minneapolis:FortressPress,2008)50.7HetaughtthattheLawwasgiventoMosessimplyascommonlawtotheJews,andhasnothingtodowithGentiles.JohnAgricola,‘OneHundredThirtycommonQuestions’114-116,trans.TimothyWengert,SourcesandContextsiftheBookofConcord,RobertKolbandJamesA.Nestingen,eds.(Minneapolis:Fortress,2001),13-30.
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Theologicalassessment
1.Theinner-outerpersondistinctionandworks
Lutherseesworksasexternal,whilefaithandjustificationarematterstodowiththeinner
persononly.8By separating the inner and theouterperson, Luther separatesworks from
justificationorsalvation.Herelatesfaithandworks-innerpersonandouterperson-ascause
andeffect;Lutherusesatreeanditsfruitasananalogy;9yetLutherrefusestoviewgood
worksasanevidenceorproofofjustification,rejectingtermslike‘worksofworthiness’and
‘worksofcongruity’.10
DirectAssessmentandcriticism
Firstly,formallylawandworksareexternal;however,Lutheralsoseesajustifiedsaintas‘the
tabletofMoses…writtenuponoutwardlyandinwardlybythefingerofGodhimself’,11who
‘observeit[theLaw]externallyandwiththeheart’.12
Secondly, Luther sees having faith as doing the first commandment (John6).13If the first
commandment-worshipGodalone- is fulfilledby the innerpersonhaving faith, thebible
woulddisagree:inRomans12,Paulteachesworshipasofferingthebodyasasacrifice,not
offeringtheinnerperson.
Thirdly, Luther teaches that the goal of fasting and vigils is ‘to have the body obey and
conform-andnothinder- the innerpersonof faith’14; Is thisnotcontradictory toLuther’s
distinction between the inner and the outer person? towhich he said, ‘nor can anything
externalproduceunrighteousness…’15or‘onlyungodlinessandunbeliefoftheheartmakea
personacondemnedservantofsin- thiscannotbecausedbyanyexternalworkoractof
8Luther,Freedom,51-2.9Luther,Freedom,76.10‘wearejustifiedbygracealonewithoutanyworkswhatever,andtherefore,withoutthelawitself,inwhicharecomprehendedallworks,greatandlittle,worksof“congruity”andworksof“worthiness”.’MartinLuther,TheBondageofTheWill,Trans.HenryCole,ChristianClassicsEtherealLibrary,sectionCL.Thedirectionisabsolutelyfromjustification-whichLutherequatestoimputationrighteousness-toworks;thereforeworkscannotcontributetojustificationnorsalvation.11SermonforNewYearsDayonGal3:23-29,ChurchPostil,Lenker6:272-274;WA10/1.1:457-58.12Ibid.13Luther,Treatise.ix.Thisismorethansayingthatfaithisnecessaryforkeepingthelaw.14Luther,Freedom,72.15Luther,Freedom,51.
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sin’?16Evidently,Luthercannotseparatelaw/worksandfaithasmuchasheattemptsinhis
formulation.
Luther’sprooftextsofsuchseparationare2Cor4:16,Rom7:15-25,Gal5:16-17.17Scripture
distinguishesbodyandsoul(Matt10:28),buttomakeanabsoluteseparationinregardsto
righteousnessisbiblicallyunwarranted(Rom12:1;1Cor6:19).Equatingthewarbetweenthe
Spiritandtheflesh(Gal5:16-17)withthewarbetweenthemindandthebody(Rom7:15-25)
isproblematicbecauseofthedifferentcontexts.
2.ThedoctrineoftheuseoftheLaw
WorksareexcludedfromLuther’sdoctrineofjustification,butisfoundinhisdoctrineofthe
useoftheLaw.18
TraditionalLutheransseeLutherteachingonlytwousesofthelaw:civiluseandtheological
use; although some are aware that Luther taught a third use, commenting that Luther
‘touched lightlyon the thirduseof the law’,19‘it [the thirduse]onlyexpressedapassing
thought and is then dropped’ 20 . However, Luther has documents that span his whole
reformationcareer-LecturesonRomans(1515-16),21ChristmasPostil(Weihnachtspostille)
(1522),22Lectureson1Timothy (1528),23TheSmalcaldArticles (1536-38),24TheAntinomian
16Luther,Freedom,55.17Luther,Freedom,51,72.18LutherseesworksandtheLawinthesamecriteria,sincePaulclearlyrejectstheLawasameansofjustification,Luthertakesthatworksalsohavenothingtodowithjustificationorsalvation.19JohnWillteJr.,LawandProtestantism:TheLegalTeachingsoftheLutheranReformation(Cambridge:CambridgeUniversityPress,2002),103-4.20GerhardEbeling,“OntheDoctrineoftheTriplexUsuslegisintheTheologyoftheReformation.”WordandFaith,Trans.JamesW.Leitch(Philadelphia:FortressPress,1963)64-65.21‘thedoctorisnotcondemningthewinebutonlythefoolishtrustofthesickmaninit.Forheneedsothermedicinetogetwell,sothathethencandrinkhiswine.ThusalsoourcorruptnatureneedsanotherkindofmedicinethantheLaw,bywhichitcanarriveatgoodhealthsoitcanfulfiltheLaw.’LecturesonRomans,LW25:350.22‘ThethirdclassisthetableofMoses,writtenuponoutwardlyandinwardlybythefingerofGodhimself.’ChurchPostil,Lenker6:272-274;WA10/I.I:457-58.23‘TheLawthereforeisgoodbecauseitshowsnotonlyevilbutalsothegoodwhichonemustdo.’Lectureon1Timothy,LW28:235.24EdwardA.Engelbrecht,FriendsOfTheLaw:Luther’sUseoftheLawfortheChristianLife.(SaintLouis:ConcordiaPublishingHouse,2011)142-3
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Disputations(1537-39),25andChurchPostill(1540,43)26-whichfeaturetheteachingofathird
useofthelaw.27
ItisimportanttonotethatLutheracknowledgedanaturallaw,28andthathetaughtthethird
useoftheLawinrevealingwhatisgoodandoughttobedone.Theyarecrucialtotheteaching
ofgoodworks,29andtheydemonstrateinhistheologythecontinuityofGod’sdemands,30his
righteousrequirement,31andhisnaturefromtheOldTestament.32
Inreactiontotheantinomiancontroversy,LuthershiftedhisemphasisontheroleoftheLaw
frombeforejustificationtoafterjustificationinChristianslife.33However,thefocusshifted,
notthesubstanceofhisdoctrine.Engelbrechtinsightfullylistedfiveconsistentfeatures:341.
IntenseemphasisonthetheologicaluseoftheLawinrepentance.2.Completeremovalof
25‘He[Christ]obtainedtheSpiritforallwhobelieveinhim.Impelledbyhim,theybegintofulfilthelawalsointhislife,andinthefuturelifetheirobedienceofthelawwillbesupremelydelightfulandperfect…’Disp.I,Arg.1;Silcock128.‘Thelawindeeddemandsabdshowswhatistobedone…he[Christ]givesthewilltodothelaw,imperfectly…burperfectlyinthelifetocome.’Disp.1,Arg.5;Silcock149.26‘Christ…hascome,nottodestroytheLaw,buttoestablishit,notonlyonhimself…butinmeandinallChristians.’ChurchPostil,Lenker5:190.27Engelbrechtidentifiedseveralfactorsthatcanbeattributedtoscholars’flawedconclusionofLutheronlyadvocatingthefirstandseconduses:1.overlookingthewidelypublishedandpopularChurchPostilsandfocusingonmoreacademicanduniquetopicsofstudy.2.Thesocialinfluenceonthescholars.3.Lutherwasmeetingapastoraldemandatthetime:inatenseoppositionagainsttheRomansfearinghisdoctrineofjustificationbyfaithalonebeinjeopardy,Lutherfocusesthedamningandharshpropertyofthelaw;duringthedebateagainsttheantinomians,Lutheremphasisedthepositiveaspectsofthelaw.4.Texteffect-focusingonthetextathandchangeshowatheologicalstatementismade.5.Editing:editorsenumeratedLuther’snotes-eveninwhereLutherdidnotenumerate-forclaritysake.28‘WeshouldnotsweepMosesundertherug…thuswherehe[Moses]givescommandment,wearenottofollowhimexceptsofarasheagreeswiththenaturallaw…wehaveourownmaster,Christ,andhehassetbeforeuswhatwearetoknow,observe,soandleaveundone’.LW35:17329‘‘LetusnotgiveeartothosewhodesiretoseetheLawbanishedfromthechurch.Foritsofficeiscontinuallynecessaryandusefulnotonlybecauseofthehardenedaretobefrightened,butalsobecausethegodlyaretobeadmonishedtocontinueintherepentancethattheyhavebegununtiltheendoftheirlife.’Disp1mArg.7;Silcock154.‘It[theLaw]mustbetaughtinorderthatdisciplineandthedoctrineconcerninggoodworksberetained’.LectureonGenesis(1535-44)LW8:17030‘ItisChrist’sofficetorestorehumanrace,alsointhislife,tothatlostinnocenceandjoyfulobediencetotheLaw.’Disp.1,Arg.7;Silcock154.31(1519)LecturesonRomans,LW25:350.(1537)ChurchPostil,Lenker5:193.(1537)SermononJohn1-4,LW22:38-39.32‘ThusthereisfirstgivenusthroughChristthesensethatwedonotfulfiltheLawandthatsinisfullyandcompletelyforgiven;however,thisisnotbestowedinawayortotheend,thatweinthefutureneednotkeeptheLaw…butthereisbestoweduponusthesensethatthefulfillingoftheLawmaynowforthefirsttimebesuccessfullyattemptedandperfectlyrealized,andthisistheeternal,fixedandunchangeablewillofGod.’(1537)ChurchPostil,Lenker5:188.33Engelbrecht,Friends,175.34Engelbrecht,Friends,176
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theLawfromjustification.3.EmphasisoftheHolySpiritandspontaneityofgoodworks.4.
Turningancientandmedieval‘usefulnessoftheLaw’intoadialecticallydistinctmessagesof
theLawandtheGospel.5.TheviewofChristiansasjustuspeccatoretsimulttoaccountfor
thecomplexityofChristianlife.35
TheteachingofgoodworksthroughtheGospel-Lawdialectic36
LutherseesadistinctiveyetsymbioticrelationshipbetweentheGospelandtheLaw.Luther
usessuchdistinctionasahermeneutictool,37aswellasadidactictool.Heinsistsboththe
GospelandtheLawbepreached inchurchsothetwocanbetaughtdialectically: the law
accuses and drives to the seeking of refuge in the Gospel, then the grace of the Gospel
generatesathankfuldesireforGodinbelievers,whichleadsthembacktoGod’scommands
intheLaw,38finallyresultsinaspontaneityofgoodworks.39
Directassessmentandcriticism
IsLuther’swayoftreatingtheGospelandtheLawbiblical?Thebibledoesnotwarrantsuch
distinctionofGod’scommandmentandworksfromtheGospel.
Firstly,thereareworksandjudgmentwithinthegospel.Theteachingofjudgmentbyworks,
asPaulclaims,isaccordingtohisgospel,notseparatefromit(Rom.2:16).
Secondly,thereislawwithinthegospel:In1Tim1:8-11,Paulemphasisedthestatusofthose
withinthejurisdictionoftheLawbeingsinners,somethingthoseaspiredtobeteachersof
35ThisacknowledgementofChristiansbeingsinnersovercomestheallegedobstacleontheuseofthelawbyajustifiedpersonposedby1Tim1:9.36TheGospelreferstothedoctrineofjustification,andtheLawreferstothedoctrineoftheuseoftheLaw.37ThisisobviousinTheBondageoftheWill.38‘TheGospelsays…learnthecommandment[s]ofGod.Fortheyteachwhatthingsshouldtrulystand,whatthingsareordainedbyGodandpleasingtohim…therefore,wheneverthesetwodoctrines-LawandGospel-remainclearandbright,thereshinesthesun,thatisthegospel,[and]themoon,thatis,theLaw…onecanknowdayandnightdistinctly.Whentheyaretakenaway,itissheerblindnessanddarkness’.WA37:174.1533p.18039LutherpracticallyhastheLawandtheGospelactingastwoparents-oneharsh/fearsomeonesoft/gracious-cooperatingtobringupagoodchild.
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thelawneglected(1:7);PaulhasnothingagainsttheLawperse(1:8),ratherhedeclaresthat
histeachingofthegospeliscompatiblewiththeLaw(1:11).40
TheGospelcontainingGod’sdemandforobeyinghiscommandmentsandjudgmentbyworks
istaughtintherestofScripture(example:Rev14:6-7).
Finalassessmentandcriticism
Luther’stwoviewsofChristians-asfriendsofthelaw,41asjustuspeccatoretsimult-42andhis
teaching about the Holy Spirit hold the two doctrines together; still, there are problems
generated.
1.Worksandsalvation
Such distinction inevitably creates an antithesis between grace andworks. Cuttingworks
awayfromtheGospel,rendersthegoaloftheGospel-theconceptofsalvationitself-simply
theescapefromGod’swrath,distancingpersonalrighteousnessfromsalvation.
AlthoughLutherteachestheimportanceoffulfillingtherighteousrequirementofthelawby
works and the personal righteousness in Christian life, 43 but because of the line drawn
betweenworksandjustification,hecannotrelateworksandthefulfilmentofthelawwith
salvation, let alone acknowledging them as the goal of the Gospel. Luther completely
40TheessayseesthatPaul,inhisjustificationbyfaithapartfromworksofthelaw,opposedbeingthejurisdiction/poweroftheLaw,nottheLawperse.41‘We’renotfreefromthelawinahumanwaybywhichthelawisdestroyedandchanged,butinadivineandtheologicalwaybywhichwearechangedfromenemiesofthelawandmadefriendsofthelaw.’LecturesonGalatians(1519).LW27:347.42AccordingtoThomasM.Wingeron"SimulJustusEtPeccator:DidLutherandtheConfessionsgetPaulright?"presentedinDresdenin2004andpublishedinLTRXVII2004-5,90-108,thisLatinphraseappearedinLuther'swritingsalthoughitneverusedbutassumedintheLutheranConfessionalwritings.Yee,Martin,“SimulJustusEtPeccator.ByThomasWinger”LastmodifiedJanuary,15,2011.AccessedApril22,2017,http://lutherantheologystudygroup.blogspot.com.au/2011/01/simul-justus-et-peccator-by-thomas.html/.43seefootnotes30,31,32.
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collapsesjustificationfromatransformationprocess-thetraditionalAugustinianview-intoa
simpleimputation.44ThisleadstoabiasedviewonJames(2:21-24).45
2.Worksandeternalconsequences
Suchdistinctioncannotdojusticetothebiblicalideaofconditionality.Lutheracknowledges
judgmentbyworks,46yethefailstorecognisethatGoddoesposeconditionsforsalvation
andjustificationonhowoneshouldlive(Gal6:8).
Lutherdevelopedsomeinsightsonthebiblicalideaofrewards.Heteachesthatthematter
of rewardmust be considered on two levels- consequence andworthiness- he said ‘as it
respectsmeritorreward,youmustspeak,eitheroftheworthinessoroftheconsequence.If
youspeakoftheworthiness,thereisnomerit,noreward.Ifyouspeakoftheconsequence,
thereisnothingeithergoodorevilwhichhasnotitsreward.’47
Onthelevelofconsequence,Lutherconfirmsthattherearemeritsandrewardsineverything
includingsalvationandcondemnation:‘Forthereremains,asanecessaryconsequencethe
judgmentofGodandahellforthewicked,…Inthesamemanner,thereremainsakingdom
forthejust…’48Onthelevelofworthiness,Luthercommentedthat‘thekingdommeritsthe
44Interestingtonotethatinhis‘SermonontheTwoKindsofRighteousness’(1518)Lutheractuallytaughttheimputationofrighteousnessbeinginfusedasaprocess.Theessayagreeswiththereformersonapunctilliarimputationofjustificationwhichisthefoundationofthewholejustification,butalsoacknowledges,besideimputation,atransformationelementofjustificationandafinaljustificationthatisrelatedtothefinaljudgmentbyworks.45LuthertakesPaulasthecontrollingfactorforinterpretingJamesasserting‘StPaulteachestothecontrary’,sothatJames‘cannotbedefended’.LW35.396,PaulA.Rainbow,TheWayofSalvation,TheRoleifChristianObedienceinJustification(Bletchley,Paternoster,2005)219.46‘ForChristatthelastdaywillnotaskhowmuchyouhaveprayed,fasted,pilgrimaged,donethisorthatforyourself,buthowmuchgoodyouhavedonetoothers,eventheveryleast.’Luther,Treatise.2xvi.‘Godwill,afterall,notaskthemaboutthesethingsattheirdeathandinthedayofjudgment,butwillrequireofthemthechildrenwhomHeentrustedtothem.Lukexxiii,“Blessedarethewombsthatneverbare,andthepapswhichnevergavesuck."Whyshalltheylament,exceptbecausealltheircondemnationcomesfromtheirownchildren?’Luther,Treatise.3vi.LutherissostrongonChristianscaringforpeopleandonparentscaringfromchildrenbecauseheappliesthelogiconthepapalchurchtojustifygoingagainsther:‘Sotodealwiththeclergyaswithafatherwhohaslosthissenseandwits;who,ifonedidnotrestrainhimandresisthim(althoughwithallhumilityandhonor),mightdestroychild,heirandeverybody.ThuswearetohonorRomanauthorityasourhighestfather;andyet,sincetheyhavegonemadandlosttheirsenses,notallowthemtodowhattheyattempt,lestChristendombedestroyedthereby.’Luther,Treatise,3ix-x.47Luther,Bondage,sectionLXIX-LXX48ibid.sectionLXX.Lutherdoesnotobjectthateternaldestinyistheconsequenceofthelifelived,heonlyobjectstheattitudethatisself-seekinginoppositiontoonethatistheocentric:‘Nay,iftheyshouldworkgood
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sons,notthesonsthekingdom.’49
Despitesuchinsights,becauseofthelinedrawnbetweenworksandsalvation,Lutherfailsto
acceptthebiblicalteachingofconditionality.50TheresultistheimpressionthatChristiansare
practicallyimmunefromtheconsequencesofhowtheylive.
3.Motivationforgoodworks
Luther’semphasisofthespontaneityleavesgoodworksexcessivelydependentonthestate
ofmindandemotionofbelievers.51
LutheremphasisesChristiangoodworksmustbeoutofdesirefromtheGospelinwhichthere
isnofearatall.Meanwhile,LutherteachesthefearofGod,butitisseparatefromtheGospel
andisfoundintheLaw.However,healsoteachesthattheLawmustnotreachtothelevelof
consciencetoterrifybelievers.52
TheLawalwaysaccuses,suchfearisbasicallyafearofpunishment;whichhasbeentaken
awaybyfaith.Thus,practically,thereisnofearindrivingChristianstogoodworks,onlydesire.
inordertoobtaintheKingdom,theyneverwouldobtainit…Whereas,thesonsofGod,dogoodwithafree-will,seekingnoreward,butthegloryandwillofGodonly.’Ibid.sectionLXX.49ibid,sectionLXX50ThisisapparentinthefollowingstatementsandhisexegesisofCol3:17:‘inthatittrustsGodanddoesnotdoubtthatforitallthingsthatamandoesarewelldone…allthattheydomustbegood,ortheevilthattheydomustbequicklyforgiven’.Luther,Treatise,iv.‘Inbrief,nothingcanbeinoraboutusandnothingcanhappentousbutthatitmustbegoodandmeritorious,ifwebelieve(asweought)thatallthingspleaseGod.SosaysSt.Paul"Dearbrethren,allthatyedo,whetheryeeatordrink,doallintheNameofJesusChrist,ourLord.".Luther,Treatise.xiii51‘wherepeopleconsiderthisandtakeittoheart,therewillariseaspontaneousimpulseanddesiregladlytodothewillofGod’.IntheconclusionofTheTenCommandmentsintheLargeCatechism.Engelbrecht,Friends,123.52‘Law,youwanttoascendintotherealmofconscienceandrulethere.Youwanttodenounceitssinandtakeawaythejoyofmyheart,whichIhavethroughfaithinChrist.Youwanttoplungemetodespair,inorderthatImayperish.Youareexceedingyourjurisdiction.Staywithinyourlimits,andexerciseyourdominionovertheflesh.Youshallnottouchmyconscience.ForIambaptized;andthroughtheGospelIhavebeencalledtoafellowshipofrighteousnessandeternallife,tothekingdomofChrist,inwhichmyconscienceisatpeace,wherethereisnoLawbutonlytheforgivenessofsins,peace,quiet,happiness,salvation,andeternallife.Donotdisturbmeinthesematters.InmyconsciencenottheLawwillreign,thathardtyrantandcrueldisciplinarian,butChrist…’LecturesonGalatians(1531).LW26:11.‘Thelawhasalreadybeenconsiderablysoftenedthroughjustification…soitoughtnotterrifythejustified.’Disp.2,Arg.21;Silcock371-72.NoticehowclosethesestatementsaretoAgricola’sOneHundredThirtyCommonQuestions,114-115.Seefootnote7.
13
Suchteachingisunbiblicalbecausefirstly,ChristiansaretofearGod,notGod’spunishment
(1Jn4:17-18);secondlyfearisabiblicallyrightfulmotivationtowardsgoodworks(Phil2:12-
13,Rev14:6-7). This inevitably tips thebalanceof themotivationway towardsbeliever’s
desireawayfromGod’sdemand.Itpotentiallyturnsgoodworksintohaphazardactsinstead
ofaconstantduty.Christiansbeingpracticallywithoutfear,coupledwiththeimpressionof
beingimmunetoconsequences,asdiscussed,leadstoalevelofantinomianism.
Inconclusion,Luther’sexaltationoffaithhasmadeproductivecontributionstoreformingthe
practiceof goodworksby theChurch.Meanwhile, history shows that antinomianismhas
plaguedLuther’schurch.ThetheologicalassessmentpointedoutLuther’sinsightsontheuses
ofthelaw,aswellassomeproblemstodowithhisinnerandouterpersondistinction,and
hisGospel-Lawdialectic.
14
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TheFreedomofaChristian.TranslatedbyMarkD.Tranvik,Minneapolis:FortressPress,2008.
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