I ran across another blogger, James Swan, (http://beggarsallreformation.blogspot.com/, and tquid.sharpens.org/luther_Jews.htm (archived)) who defends Luther in some instances against attacks from Roman Catholics and others. But he admits he is Reformed in his belief. He speaks of hearing a talk of R.C. Sproul on Luther's commentary on the book of Romans that strengthened his faith immensely and has since studied Luther extensively. Good for Mr. Swan! He somewhat defends Luther in his writings against the Jews but still condemns Luther in what are considered his harshest writings against the Jews.
Franz Pieper quoted many Reformed theologians approvingly where they defended the authority of Scripture, the Word of God. Some so-called Lutherans today attempt to refute the Reformed only on their doctrines of the Sacraments, the Lord's Supper and Baptism. But the difference between the Reformed and Lutherans is much deeper... it involves the heart of the Gospel itself.
So for those who want to know Martin Luther, they will read not only Luther's writings but also the writings of "The American Luther" and the "The Twentieth Century Luther" --> C.F.W. Walther and Franz Pieper. All the Reformed teachings stop short of the pure Gospel either in synergism or limited atonement. Only the true Lutheran faith (and Martin Luther's!) preached the full, free, complete pardon won by Christ on the cross. There is nothing we can do but believe it... and it is available for all because none have been excluded from the universal, objective Justification won by Christ! This the Reformed have difficulty swallowing... but it is the plain teaching of Scripture. And it is this Gospel that has been commanded to be preached and is enveloped by the preaching of the Word and the Sacraments of the Lord's Supper and Baptism -->> the Means of Grace.
May all the Reformed who speak well of Martin Luther forget their aberrations of the Gospel and cling only to the simple word of the Gospel.
Back To Luther... and the old (German) Missouri Synod. Below are thoughts, confessions, quotations from a Missouri Synod Lutheran (born 1952) who came back to his old faith... and found more treasures than he knew existed in the training of his youth. The great Lutheran lineage above: Martin Luther, C.F.W. Walther, Franz Pieper.
Thanks for your comments.
ReplyDeleteI've been researching obscure Luther quotes for quite a few years now. My emphasis has been more on the fact that certain slanders are repeated against Luther, but when the contexts are scrutinized, something much different appears. I've been at it for over 10 years. As far as I know, I'm the only doing what I'm doing to the extent I do it, in regard to obscure Luther quotes.