Luther and the Gospel

Hi Friends,

I’ve recently begun a lectio continua sermon series through Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. Returning to Paul’s letters, I recalled that the Minion and I had offered an online class on Luther and the Gospel during the shuttered days of the pandemic. Together we read important, short texts like The Freedom of a Christian, Preface to the New Testament, The Gospel as Sacrament, and What to Look for in the Gospels.

From the vault, here is the second session.

And just a few years has made possible the AI-generated show notes below.

Show Notes

Summary

Last week, the conversation focused on the paradox of the Christian life, derived from Christ's condescension into the flesh. Luther believed that the meaning of the Christian life could be derived from the meaning of Christ's condescension. Righteousness, for Luther, is not intrinsic to us but is something that pertains strictly to Christ himself and is given to us through faith. The conversation also touched on the division of scripture into law and gospel, with Luther emphasizing that the purpose of commands in scripture is to reveal our unrighteousness and lead us to turn to the one who has saved us. The outer person section discussed how works flow from faith and are a privilege rather than an obligation. Luther compared our status as people of faith to Adam and Eve in the garden, where they had a vocation and no requirements for justification. Luther encouraged living in accordance with our vocation and being the creatures we were made to be. In this part of the conversation, the hosts discuss the difference between Luther's view on virtue and the traditional views of Aristotle and the Church. Luther believes that a good person does good works because they are already righteous in the eyes of God, whereas Aristotle believes that virtue is acquired through habit. Luther emphasizes the imputation of righteousness before all else and the importance of understanding the gospel correctly. The hosts also discuss the connection between baptism and faith, with Luther believing that baptism is the outward visible sign of God's claim on a person. They address the difference between love for a neighbor by a believer and a non-believer, with the believer understanding that it is an operation of the Spirit. They also touch on the idea that God appreciates good works by non-believers, but wants them to know that it is Him working through them. The conversation concludes with a prayer.

Keywordsparadox, Christian life, righteousness, Christ's condescension, law and gospel, commands and promises, works, faith, Adam and Eve, vocation, Luther, Aristotle, virtue, righteousness, gospel, baptism, faith, love, good works

Takeaways

• The Christian life is a paradox, derived from Christ's condescension into the flesh.

• Righteousness is not intrinsic to us but is given to us through faith in Christ.

• Commands in scripture reveal our unrighteousness and lead us to turn to the one who has saved us.

• Works flow from faith and are a privilege rather than an obligation.

• Living in accordance with our vocation allows us to be the creatures we were made to be. Luther's view on virtue differs from Aristotle and the Church, as he believes that good works are a result of already being righteous in the eyes of God.

• Baptism is seen as the outward visible sign of God's claim on a person, and it is not dependent on the person's faith or actions.

• The difference between love for a neighbor by a believer and a non-believer lies in the believer's understanding that it is an operation of the Spirit.

• God appreciates good works by non-believers, but wants them to recognize that it is Him working through them.

• Understanding the gospel correctly is crucial for being a doer of good works.

Sound Bites

• "The paradox of the Christian life, namely that we live in a manner that is both truly God and truly human."

• "Righteousness is no thing except for what Christ offers us."

• "The purpose of commands in scripture is to reveal to you just how unrighteous you are so that you have no other recourse but to turn to the one who has saved you."

• "A good person does good works."

• "You learn how to be good from Christ."

• "The importance of rightly understanding the gospel as the necessary predicate to being a doer of good works."