Luther: Justification–Touchstone for all Sects; Der Lutheraner 1846 (Part 1)

      I cannot be certain, but I believe it was Der Lutheraner Editor Walther who chose to quote Luther in one of his more familiar writings that succinctly identifies the heart of Christianity. It also is, as Walther calls it, the Touchstone that exposes all sects where they depart from the true faith. As I read this short quote, I remembered hearing parts of it in my past and I don't know when or how often I heard it, but I will never forget it. From Der Lutheraner, vol. 3 (Dec. 29, 1846), p. 50-51 [EN; AE 14, 36-39; StL 5, 1170-1173, §§ 94-106; WA 31I, 254 ff.]: 

The Pure Doctrine of Justification,

a Sure Touchstone for all Sects.

(See Luther's interpretation of the 117th Psalm from 1530).

 

I give instruction to seek and act on the chief part of our Christian doctrine in the Scriptures everywhere, namely, that we must become pious, alive and saved without any merit, by the grace of God alone, given to us in Christ, and that no other way, path, method, or work can help us to this. For I see and experience all too well every day how carefully the wretched devil pursues this central tenet in order to eradicate it again.

And even if the weary saints consider it a useless thing to do this almost constantly (for they make themselves believe that they know it almost well and have long since learned it); yet I know well how far their conceit is lacking, and know nothing everywhere of how much is at stake in this piece. For where this one teaching remains pure, Christianity also remains pure and harmonious and without all factions; for this doctrine, and nothing else, makes and sustains Christianity. All other points may also shine with false Christians and hypocrites: but where this does not remain, there it is not possible that one may ward off some error or sectarian spirit. I know this for a fact, and have tried so hard that I could not refute the faith of either the Turks or the Jews if I were to act without this teaching.

And even if factions [Rotten] arise or begin, you have no doubt that they have certainly fallen from this principal doctrine [Hauptstück], regardless of the fact that they talk a lot about Christ with their mouths and otherwise preen and adorn themselves. For this doctrine does not allow factions to arise; since it cannot be but that the Holy Spirit must also be there, who does not cause factions to arise, but gives and maintains unity.

And especially if you hear an unreasonable and immature saint boasting that he very well knows that we must be saved by God's grace without our works, and pretending that it is a snap for him, do not doubt that he does not know what he is saying, and perhaps will never know or taste it. For it is not an art that can be learned, or boasted about that one can master it: it is an art that wants to keep us as pupils while it remains as master.

And all who know and understand it well do not boast that they know it all, but feel something of it, as a sweet savor and fragrance, which they seek and run after, marveling and not being able to grasp it, as they would like, thirsting, hungering, and longing for it more and more, and not being tired of hearing nor dealing with it; as St. Paul himself confesses in Phil. 3:12 that he has not yet grasped it; and Christ says in Matt. 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.”

And if anyone has a thirst, let him think of me in this example that I am about to confess. The devil has caught me several times when I did not think of this principal doctrine, and plagued me with passages from the Holy Scriptures so that heaven and earth became narrow for me. Then the works of men and their laws were all right, and there was no error in the whole papacy. In short, no one had ever erred except Luther alone; all my best works, teachings, sermons and books had to be condemned. Also, the shameful Mohammed almost became a prophet to me, and both Turks and Jews became pure saints.

- - - - - - - -  Conclusion in Part 2  - - - - - - - 

      Luther is the object of so much hatred for calling out the Jews and Mohammed, even by LC–MS theologians and writers. But Luther is still correct, and all those who were once ensnared in these groups but were converted to Christianity will agree with Luther.

      Pure Luther. I have had readers disagree with me when I say that the Reformed do not have the pure Doctrine of Justification, but Martin Luther also taught this explicitly above. And Luther explains why the sacraments are important… because of the Doctrine of Justification. — In the concluding Part 2…