Luther on Wrongly Reading the New Testament

“It has become a deplorable custom that the Gospels and the Epistles are treated like law books, in which one is to learn what we are to do, and in which the works of Christ are presented as nothing but an example held before one’s eyes.  Wherever this errant opinion remains within the heart, there neither gospel nor epistle can be read usefully and in a Christian way; such readers remain nothing but heathen,  as before.”

Luther rightly sees that all of the imperatives (do this!) are grounded in the indicatives (Christ did this).  Reading the New Testament any other way is to read it sub-Christianly. 

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On a lighter note, if you are looking for a great way to insult friends consider the Luther Insult Generator. 

From the Pen of Newton: Turning the Gospel into the Law

…it is common and easy in a dark hour to turn the gospel into a covenant of works.”  -John Newton

These words from Newton come in the context of counseling what appears to be a discouraged Joseph Symonds.  Symonds seems to be struggling with what I have experienced both in my own life and in counseling other believers in the way of the gospel. 

In dark times many believers begin to turn the gospel into law.  They chastise themselves for not being what I word term “gospely enough”.  Rather than living in the freedom that Christ has already purchased these believers despair over their imperfections, their lack of spiritual experiences, their feelings of doubt and restlessness, and their shamefully meager love for Christ.  As this despair takes root the believer can conclude that he/she must not be truly saved because he/she does not have the gospel flowing through their life as they should. 

Newton’s counsel is again solid. 

“If a fear of being deceived, a mourning under a sense of vileness, a hungering and thirsting after righteousness, a sense of the evil and danger of sin, a persuasion of the preciousness and suitableness of Christ in his offices, etc; if these are not spiritual experiences, I know not what are.” 

Luther rightly said that “it is the supreme art of the devil that he can make the law out of the gospel”.  One of the most deadly things that believers can do to hinder their spiritual growth is to neuter the gospel by making it a checklist to perform rather than a Person to savor.  Newton’s very biblical counsel (See Colossians 3:1-4) is to look not on self and your level of “gospel-centrality” but to look on Christ the author and finisher of our faith. 

Evidences, as you call them, are of use in their place; but the best evidence of faith is the shutting our eyes upon our defects and our graces, and looking directly to Jesus as clothed with authority and power to save to the very uttermost. 

It’s foolish to look to yourself and try to determine whether you are gospely enough.  Don’t seek rest in your level of gospel centrality, rest in Christ.  “You have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God”.  Therefore, stop analyzing the dead man and exult in the hope of life that we have in Christ. 

A Decorated Jackass

If, however, you feel and are inclined to think you have made it, flattering yourself with your own little books, teaching, or writing, because you have done it beautifully and preached excellently; if you are highly pleased when someone praises you in the presence of others; if you perhaps look for praise, and would sulk or quit what you are doing if you did not get it—if you are of that stripe, dear friend, then take yourself by the ears, and if you do this in the right way you will find a beautiful pair of big, long, shaggy donkey ears.  Then do not spare any expense!  Decorate them with golden bells, so that people will be able to hear you wherever you go, point their fingers at you and say, “See, See!  There goes that clever beast, who can write such exquisite books and preach so remarkably well.”  That very moment you will be blessed and blessed beyond measure in the kingdom of heaven.  Yes, in that heaven where hellfire is ready for the devil and his angels.  --Martin Luther

I fear that far too often I have the heart of this decorated jackass.  Lord, rescue me from a heart that desires the praises of man.  Replace it with a heart that wants to see Christ, and Him alone, the boast of this generation.

GET A LIFE…Free Book Giveaway

Actually it’s not only one life that you can get…Attic Books (a division of New Leaf Publishing) has graciously agreed to give away all 5 volumes of their Life of Series.  That includes the Life of Martin Luther, Andrew Jackson, John Knox, John Newton, and George Washington.

 
                 

It would cost well over 50 bucks to buy all 5 of these but they can be yours for free.  Enter the giveaway below and you could win.  UPDATE: Contest will end on the evening of Wednesday, July 6th.  Winner will be announced Thursday the 7th!



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Luther on Falling and Rising

"Here it appears either Paul or Barnabas went too far. It must have been a violent disagreement to separate two associates who were so closely united. Indeed, the text indicates as much.

"Such examples are written for our consolation: for it is a great comfort to us to hear that great saints, who have the Spirit of God, also struggle. Those who say that saints do not sin would deprive us of this comfort.

"Samson, David, and many other celebrated men full of the Holy Spirit fell into grievous sins. Job and Jeremiah cursed the day of their birth; Elijah and Jonah were weary of life and desired death.

"No one has ever fallen so grievously that he may not rise again. Conversely, no one stands so firmly that he may not fall. If Peter (and Paul and Barnabas) fell, I too may fall. If they rose again, I too may rise again." 

Martin Luther

The Doubt of Performance

Even when I was devout, I went as a doubter to the altar*, and as a doubter I came away again.  If I had made my confession, I was still in doubt; if, upon that I left off prayer, I was again in doubt; for we were wrapt in the conceit that we could not pray and should not be heard, unless we were wholly pure and without sin, like the saints in heaven.  -Martin Luther (Quoted from Sears, Life of Luther, 84)

Such is the turmoil of anyone that is not trusting in Christ as his sure foundation.  Until Christ is our surety and hope we will continue like Luther muddling through our religious exercises full of doubt.  Only in Christ do we begin to experience the substantial healing of being accepted. 

If you resonate with this post a helpful book is Jerry Bridges’ Transforming Grace.  Check it out.

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*Keep in mind that when Luther says “to the altar” he does not mean what we would today.  There is no such thing as “going forward” or an “invitation” in Luther’s day.  Luther here is referring to the Catholic Mass.

Review of Martin Luther: A Guided Tour of His Life and Thought by Stephen J. Nichols

Author: Stephen J. Nichols

Pages: 240pgs

Publisher: P & R Publishing

Price: 8.39

Genre: Church History/Biography

Quick Summary:

Stephen Nichols has ironed out for himself quite a niche with these “Guided Tours”. They serve as introductions to many great figures in Christian History. One of these is his 240 page offering on Martin Luther. This book is an introduction to Luther and should be reviewed as such. Nichols aim is to orient readers to the life of thought of the great Protestant reformer.

The book is divided into three sections. The first section covers Luther’s life. This is the chronological and more biographical section of Luther. The second section concerns itself with Luther the Reformer. In this section Nichols attempts to let the reader into the mind of Luther as well as introduce some of Luther’s major writers during this period. The final section discusses Luther the Pastor.

What I Liked:

Somehow within 240 pages Nichols has summarized the life and thought of Martin Luther and has done it faithfully. Nichols writes in the spirit of one that loves the same gospel that drove Luther. The page is filled with helpful Luther quotes, cool pictures, and insightful information. This is probably the best work on an introduction to Luther. I think even those that have read numerous books on Luther will find enough information and helpful perspectives in this book to necessitate a purchase.

What I Disliked:

This is just a matter of personal preference and should have no bearing on whether you buy this book; but I never like the organization of a biography that breaks up the person’s story and makes it non-chronological. Considering the different facets of a person helps to see how he is more rounded as an individual but sometimes is unhelpful in seeing the story of how he became that well-rounded person.

Should You Buy It?

If you want to know about Martin Luther I can’t think of any other introductory book to purchase. If you are a big fan of Luther then you will want to purchase this too. If you care nothing about Luther and the Protestant Reformation then this book may change your mind. For under 10 bucks I see no reason to not purchase this book.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Review of Luther: Man Between God and the Devil by Heiko A Oberman

Author: Heiko A. Oberman

Pages: 380pgs

Publisher: Image Books

Price: 14.28

Genre: Church History/Biography

Quick Summary:

First published in 1982 Heiko A. Oberman offers a much needed German perspective of Martin Luther. Oberman sees Luther shaped by medieval theology more than we often realize. Luther, Oberman argues, sees all of history as a battle between God and the Devil. Luther finds himself engaged in this battle against the devil (often personified in popery). Oberman provides an interesting perspective on the life of Luther.

What I Liked:

Even for those that have read numerous works on Luther there is so much great information in this biography that it serves as a real page turner. I think Oberman offers a view of Luther and the Reformation that helps to balance who the man truly was. I always dislike it in biographies when the author tries to rescue the person from his own humanity. What makes Luther so great is that he was definitely human. Thankfully, Oberman allows the Reform to remain a man in need of reformation.

What I Disliked:

Even though, it is a helpful perspective I think at times Oberman may overplay the medieval theology of Luther. At times I think he overstates his case. There are occasions when some quotes seem to not support his position of Luther. But I am not anywhere near a Luther scholar so it’s quite possible that I’m totally off.

Oberman can be a tad wordy (I think about 300 pages would have been great for this book), and a little repetitive. There are some biographies that read a little smoother and stick in your mind a little better.

Should You Buy It?

This is not a sanitized biography of Luther. You get the man warts and all. And for that reason I heartily recommend it. Balance it with other works by other authors that may cast Luther in a tad different light, but nonetheless, this book needs to be considered by all that want to know about Luther. For an introductory study this may not be the one you want to read, but you certainly would not be disappointed if you want to tackle it.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Review of The Unquenchable Flame by Michael Reeves

Author: Michael Reeves

Pages: 208 pgs

Publisher: B & H Publishing

Price: 10.19

Genre: Church History/Reformation

Quick Summary:

Touted on the back cover as a “remarkably accessible introduction to the [Reformation] historic era” this 208 page book focuses on Luther, Zwingli, Calvin, and the Puritans. As these key figures are analyzed the heart of the reformation is uncovered. The book begins by glancing at the pre-history of the Reformation and closes by asking “is the Reformation over?”.

What I Liked:

The Reformation is an interesting time period to study. I have, however, read books that make it seem boring and stale. Thankfully, this book is not in that line. Michael Reeves writes with humor, passion, and insight. He allows the main characters to be who they really were. He does not take pains to gloss over their rough edges or to needlessly exalt them. He allows them to be. And in so doing he points out the heart of the Reformation—the redeeming work of Jesus Christ alone.

There are also little sidebars that help us to take a slice out of these particular time periods and focus on a crucial event or character. These are helpful for seeing the well-rounded landscape of the Reformation. Reeves does a great job of not confining the Reformation to one particular location but showing how it impacted all of Roman Catholic lands.

What I Disliked:

I always greatly dislike footnotes at the end of a chapter. I prefer them at the bottom of the page, or even at the end of the book, but it is laborious to try to find the last page of the chapter ends on every time you want to check the footnote. Other than this minor dislike, there is nothing else I can point to as a dislike worth mentioning.

Should You Buy It?

It is a fun read even for those that have read many books on the Reformation period. Particularly helpful is the chapter on Zwingli (he doesn’t get much press in Reformation books). If this is your first exposure to the Reformation then this is also a great place to start. So, no matter who you are I think this book would be an asset. You can buy it here for only 10.19

Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars

Today in Blogworld 12/11

Dr. Mohler has written about the mainline Protestant concern with homosexual pastors. "Yes, They Said It" gives two exhibits (quotes) that point to the reason we are concerned. One of the men that he quoted is a Lutheran. When we compare that pastors comment to a quote by Martin Luther we see just how far some churches have strayed from their origin. Brian Schmeling said this: "People aren't coming to church to hear that their sins are forgiven; they are coming to experience connection to God, to the people sitting with them in the sanctuary and to people around the world. My theology has thus become more incarnational and relational." In other words, he no longer preaches the Cross. Contrast this with what Martin Luther said about preaching the gospel, "The gospel cannot be preached and heard enough, for it cannot be grasped well enough...Moreover, our greatest task is to keep you faithful to this article and to bequeath this treasure to you when we die". Schmeling and folks like him have exchanged that treasure for a false gospel.

Michael Spencer, the Internetmonk, has made a very thoughtful post about Name Tags. In effective irony he points out the hypocrisy of many who call the Emerging Church (Conversation, Emergent, whatever they are called) vague. His point is that we [insert your affiliations here] are just as guilty as the emergent of being slippery and unidentifiable. His solution serves as a fitting rebuke...we should just wear name tags that spells out who we follow. "Maybe we could just try using the names of favorite teachers, like “Keller types” or “Macarthur types.” What do you think? “I am of Paul.” “I am of Apollos.” It would make everything much simpler."

I will take his rebuke and grow from it--I know I do sometimes follow "Piper", "Sproul", "Edwards", "Spurgeon", etc. And defining my theology by a name tag is wrong, I confess. But I do have to disagree with Spencer on one point at least. What many decry Emergent for is not that they are slippery in defining their names or giving a definition to their theology. Granted, it is frustrating not knowing what to call them (it makes writing more difficult). Slippery name tags is not the problem. Slippery theology is what the problem is. When their leaders refuse to make a stance on homosexuality (something the Bible is clear about) and clothe their border-line (sometimes outright) heretical views with deliberately confusing arguments then they become slippery, and that is what people have a problem with. Nonetheless, the rebuke still stands.

New Attitude points us to a C.J. Mahaney article on "Cravings and Conflict". Every time I read or hear something by Mahaney my level of respect for him grows. After reading this article I wanted to comment on it but found myself only able to say, "Wow". I highly recommend you read this article--you will be blessed. In it Mahaney reminds us that we will face conflict, the question is are we ready for it? This article will certainly help us.