Brian M. SandiferBrian M. Sandifer 11

The Diet of Worms (1521)The Diet of Worms (1521)

Turning Point 7Turning Point 7Decisive Moments in the History of ChristianityDecisive Moments in the History of Christianity

22

Turning PointsTurning Pointsin Christian Historyin Christian History

1.1. Fall of Jerusalem (70)Fall of Jerusalem (70)

2.2. Council of Nicaea (325)Council of Nicaea (325)

3.3. Council of Chalcedon Council of Chalcedon (451)(451)

4.4. Benedict’s Rule (530)Benedict’s Rule (530)

5.5. Coronation of Coronation of Charlemagne (800)Charlemagne (800)

6.6. Great Schism (1054)Great Schism (1054)

7.7. Diet of Worms (1521)Diet of Worms (1521)

8.8. English Act of English Act of Supremacy (1534)Supremacy (1534)

9.9. Founding of Jesuits Founding of Jesuits (1540)(1540)

10.10. Conversion of Wesleys Conversion of Wesleys (1738)(1738)

11.11. French Revolution (1789)French Revolution (1789)

12.12. Edinburgh Missionary Edinburgh Missionary Conference (1910)Conference (1910)

33

1616thth Century: Turbulent Century: Turbulent TimesTimes

Recent discovery of the New World by Recent discovery of the New World by ColumbusColumbus

Explosion of Renaissance learningExplosion of Renaissance learning Emergence of modern nation-statesEmergence of modern nation-states Beginnings of the modern economyBeginnings of the modern economy Ottoman empire pressing into Eastern Ottoman empire pressing into Eastern

EuropeEurope Invention of Gutenberg’s printing pressInvention of Gutenberg’s printing press Widespread church corruptionWidespread church corruption

44

Martin Luther: Early YearsMartin Luther: Early Years

Born in Eisleben Born in Eisleben (Germany) in 1483(Germany) in 1483

From a blue-collar From a blue-collar familyfamily

Studied in university Studied in university to be a lawyerto be a lawyer

Troubled conscienceTroubled conscience

55

Martin Luther: Spiritual Martin Luther: Spiritual CrisisCrisis

Surviving a lightning Surviving a lightning storm (“St. Anne, I’ll storm (“St. Anne, I’ll become a monk!”)become a monk!”)

Became an Augustinian Became an Augustinian monk in 1505 (age 22)monk in 1505 (age 22)

Spiritual depression Spiritual depression (hated the (hated the “righteousness of “righteousness of God”)God”) In the lawIn the law In the gospelIn the gospel

66

Professor LutherProfessor Luther

Luther’s monastic spiritual advisor Luther’s monastic spiritual advisor (Staupitz) counseled him to study the (Staupitz) counseled him to study the Scriptures devotionally and Scriptures devotionally and academicallyacademically

Became a theology instructor at the Became a theology instructor at the University of WittenbergUniversity of Wittenberg

But his conscience still troubled him as But his conscience still troubled him as he “beat importunately” on a range of he “beat importunately” on a range of scriptural textsscriptural texts

77

Luther’s Luther’s Evangelical Evangelical

BreakthroughBreakthrough

Meditation on Meditation on Romans 1:17Romans 1:17 “ “For in it [the For in it [the gospel] the righteousness of God is gospel] the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith‘The righteous shall live by faith.’”.’”

Began to understand the righteousness of Began to understand the righteousness of faith is a gift of God by faith: “faith is a gift of God by faith: “the the righteousness of God is revealed by the righteousness of God is revealed by the gospel, namely, the passive righteousness gospel, namely, the passive righteousness with which merciful God justifies us by faith, with which merciful God justifies us by faith, as it is written, ‘He who through faith is as it is written, ‘He who through faith is righteous shall liverighteous shall live.’”.’”

88

The Gate of The Gate of ParadiseParadise

““Here I felt that I was altogether born Here I felt that I was altogether born again and had entered paradise itself again and had entered paradise itself through open gates. There a totally through open gates. There a totally other face of the entire Scripture other face of the entire Scripture showed itself to me. Thereupon I ran showed itself to me. Thereupon I ran through the Scriptures from memory. I through the Scriptures from memory. I also found in other terms an analogy, also found in other terms an analogy, as, the work of God, that is, what God as, the work of God, that is, what God does in us, the power of God…”does in us, the power of God…”

99

The Gate of The Gate of ParadiseParadise

“…“…with which he makes us strong, the with which he makes us strong, the wisdom of God, with which he makes wisdom of God, with which he makes us wise, the strength of God, the us wise, the strength of God, the salvation of God, the glory of God. And salvation of God, the glory of God. And I extolled my sweetest word with a love I extolled my sweetest word with a love as great as the hatred with which I had as great as the hatred with which I had before hated the word ‘righteousness before hated the word ‘righteousness of God.’ Thus that place in Paul was for of God.’ Thus that place in Paul was for me truly me truly the gate of paradisethe gate of paradise.”.”

1010

Questions for Questions for DiscussionDiscussion

Can you relate to Luther’s struggle to Can you relate to Luther’s struggle to understand how sinners can be understand how sinners can be reconciled to God?reconciled to God?

What is your experience of entering What is your experience of entering the “gate of paradise” of which the “gate of paradise” of which Luther spoke?Luther spoke?

1111

Beginning to Rock the BoatBeginning to Rock the Boat At first, Luther’s At first, Luther’s

newfound understanding newfound understanding of Scripture didn’t cause of Scripture didn’t cause any controversyany controversy

But the application of his But the application of his theology to current theology to current church practices caused church practices caused an immediate eruption an immediate eruption of controversy that of controversy that spread quickly across spread quickly across EuropeEurope

1212

The (In)Famous 95 ThesesThe (In)Famous 95 Theses

Posted October 31, 1517Posted October 31, 1517 Intended to start an Intended to start an

theological discussion theological discussion among academicsamong academics

Posted on the church door Posted on the church door (the community bulletin (the community bulletin board) in Latin (not the board) in Latin (not the common language of the common language of the people)people)

Luther’s students Luther’s students translated them into translated them into German, had copies German, had copies printed, and widely printed, and widely distributed themdistributed them

Not meant for public consumption

1313

The Most Contentious The Most Contentious ThesisThesis

At firstAt first: Selling of indulgences: Selling of indulgences Not the most important thesisNot the most important thesis But instantly put Luther in the center of But instantly put Luther in the center of

controversy because important church officials controversy because important church officials (including the pope) profited from indulgence (including the pope) profited from indulgence revenuerevenue

But finallyBut finally: Church obscuring the free gift of : Church obscuring the free gift of grace through faith in Christgrace through faith in Christ The sum of the 95 Theses was concerned with The sum of the 95 Theses was concerned with

reforming the Church to remove obstacles from reforming the Church to remove obstacles from God’s graceGod’s grace

Basic theological issues quickly moved to the Basic theological issues quickly moved to the fore in the debatefore in the debate

1414

95 Theses: A Closer Look95 Theses: A Closer Look32. All those who believe themselves certain of 32. All those who believe themselves certain of

their own salvation by means of letters of their own salvation by means of letters of indulgenceindulgence, will be eternally damned, , will be eternally damned, together with their teachers.together with their teachers.

33. We should be most carefully on our guard 33. We should be most carefully on our guard against those who say that the against those who say that the papal papal indulgencesindulgences are an inestimable divine gift, are an inestimable divine gift, and that a man is reconciled to God by them.and that a man is reconciled to God by them.

34. For the grace conveyed by these 34. For the grace conveyed by these indulgencesindulgences relates simply to the penalties relates simply to the penalties of the sacramental "satisfactions" decreed of the sacramental "satisfactions" decreed merely by man.merely by man.

35. It is not in accordance with Christian 35. It is not in accordance with Christian doctrines to preach and teach that those doctrines to preach and teach that those who buy off souls, or who buy off souls, or purchase confessional purchase confessional licenseslicenses, have no need to repent of their own , have no need to repent of their own sins.sins.

36. Any Christian whatsoever, who is truly 36. Any Christian whatsoever, who is truly repentant, enjoys plenary remission from repentant, enjoys plenary remission from penalty and guilt, and this is given him penalty and guilt, and this is given him without letters of without letters of indulgenceindulgence..

At least 37 of 95 theses explicitly concern the sale of indulgences

1515

Luther: The “Wild Boar”Luther: The “Wild Boar”

In 1520 Luther laid his axe at the root of the In 1520 Luther laid his axe at the root of the Roman Catholic church by publishing 5 major Roman Catholic church by publishing 5 major books exposing various corruptions*books exposing various corruptions* Treatise on Good WorksTreatise on Good Works The Papacy of RomeThe Papacy of Rome Address to the Christian Nobility of the German NationAddress to the Christian Nobility of the German Nation Babylonian Captivity of the ChurchBabylonian Captivity of the Church The Freedom of the ChristianThe Freedom of the Christian

In 1520 Luther also published many other less In 1520 Luther also published many other less substantial writingssubstantial writings

In total his literary output against church In total his literary output against church corruption was prolific in 1520corruption was prolific in 1520

* See page 161 in Turning Points for details regarding the content of these * See page 161 in Turning Points for details regarding the content of these booksbooks

1616

Question for DiscussionQuestion for Discussion

In a sense, Luther was attacking the In a sense, Luther was attacking the medieval synthesis that propped up medieval synthesis that propped up Christendom. How did Luther impact Christendom. How did Luther impact the medieval concept of Christendom the medieval concept of Christendom by his ideas and theology?by his ideas and theology?

1717

ChristendoChristendom’s Central m’s Central ConvictionsConvictions

Human beings, corrupted by sin, need Human beings, corrupted by sin, need salvation, which is accomplished by salvation, which is accomplished by the merit of Christ communicated the merit of Christ communicated through God’s gracethrough God’s grace

God’s saving grace comes through the God’s saving grace comes through the sacraments in a social setting defined sacraments in a social setting defined by the cooperation of church & stateby the cooperation of church & state

1818

The 7 Roman Catholic The 7 Roman Catholic SacramentsSacraments

The Ideal The Ideal Comprehensive Life Comprehensive Life

CourseCourse

1.1. BaptismBaptism

2.2. ConfirmationConfirmation

3.3. PenancePenance

4.4. EucharistEucharist

5.5. Holy OrdersHoly Orders

6.6. MarriageMarriage

7.7. Extreme UnctionExtreme Unction

Sacraments stood for spiritual realities and worked toward the salvation of those who participated in them.

1919

Medieval View of Medieval View of SacramentsSacraments

Exhibit the Exhibit the principlesprinciples of the incarnation, of the incarnation, whereby the most important spiritual realities whereby the most important spiritual realities were embodied in a material formwere embodied in a material form

Express the Express the objectiveobjective character of God’s character of God’s action on behalf of humanityaction on behalf of humanity Receiving God’s grace depended upon actually Receiving God’s grace depended upon actually

receiving the vehicle of that grace, and not so receiving the vehicle of that grace, and not so much on how one felt about the transactionmuch on how one felt about the transaction

Latin: Latin: ex opere operatoex opere operato; trans: “from the work ; trans: “from the work done”done”

Reinforce the essentially Reinforce the essentially social structuresocial structure of of grace, the fact that Christ worked for his grace, the fact that Christ worked for his people together through the institutional people together through the institutional church.church.

2020

Sacraments in Sacraments in ChristendomChristendom

Institutional church was the sole mediator of Institutional church was the sole mediator of the sacraments, and thus the sole mediator the sacraments, and thus the sole mediator of God’s grace for salvationof God’s grace for salvation

Since the salvation of sinners is paramount, Since the salvation of sinners is paramount, all spheres of life must bow to the churchall spheres of life must bow to the church Political leaders must cooperate with churchPolitical leaders must cooperate with church Education must be compatible with churchEducation must be compatible with church Economic structures must support the churchEconomic structures must support the church Social order ideals must imitate church patternsSocial order ideals must imitate church patterns

Effect: the church was foundational to all of Effect: the church was foundational to all of lifelife

2121

A Wanted ManA Wanted Man

In June 1520 the pope issued the papal bull (written In June 1520 the pope issued the papal bull (written mandate) mandate) Exsurge DomineExsurge Domine (Latin: Rise up O Lord!) (Latin: Rise up O Lord!) It called Luther “the wild boar from the forest” whose It called Luther “the wild boar from the forest” whose

tongue was a “fire”tongue was a “fire” It accused Luther of seeking to destroy the churchIt accused Luther of seeking to destroy the church

Luther was now a criminal in the sight of the church Luther was now a criminal in the sight of the church and the civil magistrateand the civil magistrate

Luther publically burned a copy of the papal bull Luther publically burned a copy of the papal bull thereby becoming a fugitive from the emperor and thereby becoming a fugitive from the emperor and the popethe pope

In 1521 Luther secured a “safe conduct” pass to his In 1521 Luther secured a “safe conduct” pass to his hearing before the emperor Charles V in Worms (in hearing before the emperor Charles V in Worms (in Germany)Germany)

2222

Luther’s Trial: The Diet of Luther’s Trial: The Diet of WormsWorms

”Luther” movie: Diet of Worms scene”Luther” movie: Diet of Worms scene http://youtu.be/r5P7QkHCfaIhttp://youtu.be/r5P7QkHCfaI

2323

Three Parties at the TrialThree Parties at the Trial

1. The Accused: Martin Luther

2. The Holy Roman Emperor: Charles V

3. The Church: Italian Church Officials

2424

Diet of Worms: At a GlanceDiet of Worms: At a Glance Date: April 18, 1521Date: April 18, 1521 Location: Improvised imperial hall in Location: Improvised imperial hall in

Worms (on the Rhine river south of Worms (on the Rhine river south of Mainz)Mainz)

On trial: Martin Luther, 37 year old monk On trial: Martin Luther, 37 year old monk with 15 years service in the monasterywith 15 years service in the monastery

Purpose: Summon Martin Luther to Purpose: Summon Martin Luther to publicly recant his writings regardingpublicly recant his writings regarding The gospelThe gospel The nature of the ChurchThe nature of the Church The current state of ChristendomThe current state of Christendom

2525

Luther’s Careful ResponseLuther’s Careful Response

His books were of three different kindsHis books were of three different kinds1.1. Simple Christian piety (nothing controversial)Simple Christian piety (nothing controversial)

2.2. Against the doctrinal and moral evils of popes Against the doctrinal and moral evils of popes and papists (evils no one would dare defend)and papists (evils no one would dare defend)

3.3. Book containing some things perhaps overly Book containing some things perhaps overly harshharsh

Luther expressed his willingness to Luther expressed his willingness to consider retracting books from the third consider retracting books from the third group group ON ONE IMPORTANT CONDITIONON ONE IMPORTANT CONDITION

2626

Luther’s GauntletLuther’s Gauntlet

““Therefore I ask by the mercy of God, Therefore I ask by the mercy of God, may your most serene majesty, most may your most serene majesty, most illustrious lordships, or anyone at all illustrious lordships, or anyone at all who is able, either high or low, bear who is able, either high or low, bear witness, expose my errors, witness, expose my errors, overthrowing them by the writings of overthrowing them by the writings of the prophets and the evangelists. the prophets and the evangelists. Once I have been taught I shall be Once I have been taught I shall be quite ready to renounce every error, quite ready to renounce every error, and I shall be the first to cast my and I shall be the first to cast my books in the firebooks in the fire.”.”

2727

An Answer Without Horn or An Answer Without Horn or ToothTooth

Luther was asked to be more clear Luther was asked to be more clear and answer the question: “Will you and answer the question: “Will you recant or not?”recant or not?”

Luther replied, “Luther replied, “Since then your Since then your serene majesty and your lordships serene majesty and your lordships seek a simple answer, I will give it in seek a simple answer, I will give it in this manner, neither horned nor this manner, neither horned nor toothedtoothed…”…”

2828

The Birth of The Birth of ProtestantismProtestantism

“…“…Unless I am convinced by the testimony Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do of the Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust either in the pope or in councils not trust either in the pope or in councils alone, since it is well known that they have alone, since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. Here I stand. God help meconscience. Here I stand. God help me!”!”

2929

The Foundations of The Foundations of ProtestantismProtestantism

Obey the Bible before all other Obey the Bible before all other authorities, which led to the following authorities, which led to the following codificationcodification

Five Five SolasSolas of the Protestant Reformation of the Protestant Reformation1.1. Sola ScripturaSola Scriptura (Scripture Alone) (Scripture Alone)

2.2. Solus ChristusSolus Christus (Christ Alone) (Christ Alone)

3.3. Sola GratiaSola Gratia (Grace Alone) (Grace Alone)

4.4. Sola FideSola Fide (Faith Alone) (Faith Alone)

5.5. Soli Deo GloriaSoli Deo Gloria (The Glory of God Alone) (The Glory of God Alone)

3030

Questions for Questions for DiscussionDiscussion

Bases of authority are a key concern Bases of authority are a key concern for the Christian church from its for the Christian church from its beginnings to the present. Up until beginnings to the present. Up until the time of Luther, what had served the time of Luther, what had served as the authoritative bases of the as the authoritative bases of the Christian church?Christian church?

What new element does Luther add What new element does Luther add to this list?to this list?

3131

Official Response to LutherOfficial Response to Luther

Charles V wrote, “Charles V wrote, “It is certain that a single It is certain that a single friar errs in his opinion which is against all friar errs in his opinion which is against all of Christendom and according to which all of Christendom and according to which all of Christianity will be and will always have of Christianity will be and will always have been in error both in the past thousand been in error both in the past thousand years and even more in the presentyears and even more in the present.”.”

Charles V thought it would be shameful if in Charles V thought it would be shameful if in his age “his age “not only heresy but suspicion of not only heresy but suspicion of heresy or decrease of the Christian religion heresy or decrease of the Christian religion should through our negligence dwell after should through our negligence dwell after us in the heart of men and our successors us in the heart of men and our successors to our perpetual dishonorto our perpetual dishonor.”.”

3232

A Valid Criticism of Luther?A Valid Criticism of Luther?

The emperor’s secretary responded to The emperor’s secretary responded to Luther with a stinging question that Luther with a stinging question that has plagued Protestantism to this day:has plagued Protestantism to this day: What if everyone simply followed What if everyone simply followed

conscienceconscience?? The RC church predicted:The RC church predicted:

Total uncertainty and confusionTotal uncertainty and confusion Rampant schism and divisionRampant schism and division

3333

Question for DiscussionQuestion for Discussion

In what ways were Emperor Charles In what ways were Emperor Charles V’s warnings to Luther at the Diet of V’s warnings to Luther at the Diet of Worms prophetic, as we look at the Worms prophetic, as we look at the history of Christianity in Europe and history of Christianity in Europe and North America after 1521?North America after 1521?

3434

Luther and the Diet of Worms: Symbolic End of Ecclesiastical Unity

3535

Diet of Worms: Diet of Worms: ConsequencesConsequences

1.1. Luther escaped and went into hiding at Luther escaped and went into hiding at Wartburg Castle where he translated Wartburg Castle where he translated the NT into Germanthe NT into German

Significantly influenced the development of Significantly influenced the development of German language and future German Bible German language and future German Bible translations (more than Tyndale and KJV translations (more than Tyndale and KJV influenced development of English influenced development of English language!)language!)

2.2. Luther left the monastery and married a Luther left the monastery and married a former nun (Katherine von Bora)former nun (Katherine von Bora)

Significantly influenced the Protestant view Significantly influenced the Protestant view of family and vocationof family and vocation

3636

Luther’s Hideout and OfficeLuther’s Hideout and Office

Wartburg Castle in Eisenach, Germany

Est. 1067

3737

Luther’s WifeLuther’s Wife

Katherine von Bora, c. 1526

Former nun

3838

Diet of Worms: Diet of Worms: ConsequencesConsequences

3.3. Civil and Ecclesiastical UpheavalCivil and Ecclesiastical Upheaval European nations and provinces split European nations and provinces split

into various Protestant and Roman into various Protestant and Roman Catholic territories, leading to the Catholic territories, leading to the “Wars of Religion”“Wars of Religion”

4.4. New Sense of the SelfNew Sense of the Self The principle of the authority of the The principle of the authority of the

individual’s conscience over against the individual’s conscience over against the authority of church councils, church authority of church councils, church tradition, and the emperor significantly tradition, and the emperor significantly changed Europe and the Churchchanged Europe and the Church

3939

Europe’s Religious Landscape Europe’s Religious Landscape (16(16thth century) century)

4040

Luther’s Vision for a Luther’s Vision for a Reformed ChurchReformed Church

No longer needed a special priestly caste No longer needed a special priestly caste to do the real work of Godto do the real work of God

Lack of priestly caste should not be taken Lack of priestly caste should not be taken as an excuse to disrupt the social orderas an excuse to disrupt the social order

Should fully embrace Augustine’s fourfold Should fully embrace Augustine’s fourfold understanding of human natureunderstanding of human nature

1.1. Posse pecarePosse pecare (Able to sin) (Able to sin)

2.2. Non posse non pecareNon posse non pecare (Not able to not sin) (Not able to not sin)

3.3. Posse non pecarePosse non pecare (Able to not sin) (Able to not sin)

4.4. Non posse pecareNon posse pecare (Not able to sin) (Not able to sin)

4141

Colloquy at Marburg:Colloquy at Marburg:What Might Have BeenWhat Might Have Been

In 1529 Luther and the Swiss reformer Ulrich In 1529 Luther and the Swiss reformer Ulrich Zwingli met to debate points of doctrine and Zwingli met to debate points of doctrine and practicepractice

The hope was that the Lutherans and the Reformed The hope was that the Lutherans and the Reformed (led by Zwingli) could find enough points of (led by Zwingli) could find enough points of agreement to unite their Protestant movementsagreement to unite their Protestant movements

They found agreement on every substantial point of They found agreement on every substantial point of doctrine and practice except for the nature of the doctrine and practice except for the nature of the Lord’s supperLord’s supper Luther: consubstantiation (Lord’s body “in, with, under”)Luther: consubstantiation (Lord’s body “in, with, under”) Zwingli: memorial (Lord’s body absent; merely a Zwingli: memorial (Lord’s body absent; merely a

remembrance)remembrance) This single theological difference kept the This single theological difference kept the

Lutherans and Reformed apart and set the Lutherans and Reformed apart and set the precedent for Protestant factionalismprecedent for Protestant factionalism

4242

Protestant ChurchProtestant Church ChurchesChurches

4343

Luther’s Theology of the Luther’s Theology of the CrossCross

Luther’s secondary concernsLuther’s secondary concerns ““Christianized” abstract pictures of GodChristianized” abstract pictures of God

Aristotle’s “Unmoved Mover”Aristotle’s “Unmoved Mover” Plato’s “Perfection of Eternal Form”Plato’s “Perfection of Eternal Form” Augustine’s “Pure Moral Light” and the Augustine’s “Pure Moral Light” and the

Trinity as “Constant Divine Interaction”Trinity as “Constant Divine Interaction” Religion as personal assuranceReligion as personal assurance

Luther’s primary concernLuther’s primary concern Religion defined by a Religion defined by a crucified saviorcrucified savior

4444

Where to Find God?Where to Find God?

Luther’s idea of God is a paradoxLuther’s idea of God is a paradox To understand the power of God the creator, To understand the power of God the creator,

one must first understand the powerlessness one must first understand the powerlessness of God hanging on a Roman crossof God hanging on a Roman cross

To conceive the moral perfection of deity, it To conceive the moral perfection of deity, it is necessary to understand the scandal, is necessary to understand the scandal, shame, pain, and sordidness of a criminal’s shame, pain, and sordidness of a criminal’s executionexecution

To find God is to find the crossTo find God is to find the cross ““Jesus is God”Jesus is God” ““God is Jesus” God is Jesus”

4545

Theology of Glory vs. Theology Theology of Glory vs. Theology of the Crossof the Cross

Luther argued in debate at Heidelberg, Luther argued in debate at Heidelberg, ““He deserves to be called a He deserves to be called a theologian…who comprehends the theologian…who comprehends the visible and manifest things of God seen visible and manifest things of God seen through suffering and the cross…A through suffering and the cross…A theologian of glory calls evil good and theologian of glory calls evil good and good evil. A theologian of the cross good evil. A theologian of the cross calls the thing it actually iscalls the thing it actually is.”.”

4646

Is Luther’s Theology of the Is Luther’s Theology of the Cross Biblical?Cross Biblical?

Luther found his paradoxical explanation of God as Luther found his paradoxical explanation of God as revealed in and through the cross in Paul’s writingsrevealed in and through the cross in Paul’s writings For the word of For the word of the crossthe cross is folly to those who are is folly to those who are

perishing, but to us who are being saved it is perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of the power of GodGod. 19 For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the . 19 For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart." wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart." 20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? 20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand preach to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ we preach Christ crucifiedcrucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, , a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ Christ the power of God and the wisdom of Godthe power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 . 25 For For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than menweakness of God is stronger than men. (1 Corinthians . (1 Corinthians 1:18-25 )1:18-25 )

4747

Luther’s Theology of Glory: Luther’s Theology of Glory: Trust Your Own WorksTrust Your Own Works

Urges people to trust themselves, to make Urges people to trust themselves, to make their own efforts their security in this life and their own efforts their security in this life and the nextthe next

Guides people to think if only they can Guides people to think if only they can discipline themselves properly, they would discipline themselves properly, they would finally and ultimately please Godfinally and ultimately please God

Teaches people to believe that Teaches people to believe that what they do what they do for Godfor God matters most in creating a spiritual matters most in creating a spiritual life, rather than life, rather than what God has done for uswhat God has done for us..

The theology of glory is a different gospel, The theology of glory is a different gospel, indeed it is the polar opposite of the gospel!indeed it is the polar opposite of the gospel!

4848

Luther’s Theology of Glory: Luther’s Theology of Glory: Trust Your Own WisdomTrust Your Own Wisdom

Encourages people to rely upon their Encourages people to rely upon their own understanding of the world as a own understanding of the world as a sufficient guide for life.sufficient guide for life.

Urges people to think that what the Urges people to think that what the mind discovers about self, others, mind discovers about self, others, the world, and God can open a path the world, and God can open a path to righteousnessto righteousness

4949

Misconceptions about the Misconceptions about the Theology of GloryTheology of Glory

Luther did not condemn Luther did not condemn Human activityHuman activity Valuable contribution of human Valuable contribution of human

traditions, structures, and institutionstraditions, structures, and institutions Luther did condemnLuther did condemn

The idea that these things were in The idea that these things were in themselves life-givingthemselves life-giving

5050

Finding God through Finding God through Suffering and the Suffering and the

CrossCross To find God one must look to Calvary To find God one must look to Calvary

where God made himself most fully knownwhere God made himself most fully known Any hope for the self must involve a Any hope for the self must involve a

secondary crucifixion of the sinful selfsecondary crucifixion of the sinful self Intellectual humility and a confession of Intellectual humility and a confession of

the gross ignorance of all humanity before the gross ignorance of all humanity before the mysterious wisdom of God displayed the mysterious wisdom of God displayed on the crosson the cross

Believers can embrace the cross only if Believers can embrace the cross only if they despair in themselves and forsake a they despair in themselves and forsake a theology of glorytheology of glory

5151

The Beautiful Scandalous The Beautiful Scandalous CrossCross

A scandal for Jews and all who seek God A scandal for Jews and all who seek God through moral exertion (works)through moral exertion (works)

A scandal for Greeks and all who seek God A scandal for Greeks and all who seek God through the exercise of the mind (wisdom)through the exercise of the mind (wisdom)

God’s everlasting “Yes” to all who have God’s everlasting “Yes” to all who have come to the end of themselvescome to the end of themselves

To embrace the scandalous cross is in turn To embrace the scandalous cross is in turn to be embraced by Jesusto be embraced by Jesus

The theology of the beautiful scandalous The theology of the beautiful scandalous cross shows us how to become a child of cross shows us how to become a child of GodGod

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Questions for Questions for DiscussionDiscussion

Discuss how the theology of the Discuss how the theology of the cross, in Luther’s scheme of thinking, cross, in Luther’s scheme of thinking, was being contradicted by the was being contradicted by the established church of his day. In established church of his day. In other words, what made the other words, what made the “theology of the cross” stand apart “theology of the cross” stand apart from the “theology of glory”?from the “theology of glory”?

Discuss how the theology of the Discuss how the theology of the cross reintroduced the biblical cross reintroduced the biblical concept of grace to the 16concept of grace to the 16thth century. century.

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A Turning Point for the Church A Turning Point for the Church and Societyand Society

For the ChurchFor the Church: a timely, effective : a timely, effective reminder that our hope rises from the reminder that our hope rises from the transaction that occurred at the cross transaction that occurred at the cross and the empty tomband the empty tomb

For societyFor society: the timing of his theological : the timing of his theological contribution and effort to remove contribution and effort to remove church-erected obstacles to God’s grace church-erected obstacles to God’s grace joined to great effect with other turning joined to great effect with other turning points that transformed Europe’s points that transformed Europe’s national, economic, intellectual, and national, economic, intellectual, and ecclesiastical lifeecclesiastical life

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Application for Today’s Application for Today’s ChurchChurch

The paradoxes found in Luther’s The paradoxes found in Luther’s theology of the cross are a timeless theology of the cross are a timeless truth of our Christian heritage. truth of our Christian heritage. Discuss the various paradoxes that Discuss the various paradoxes that Luther presented and discuss why Luther presented and discuss why they still remain powerful truths they still remain powerful truths today.today.

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Theology of Glory or the Theology of Glory or the Cross?Cross?

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Theology of Glory or the Theology of Glory or the Cross?Cross?