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Luther and Calvin on Paul's Epistle to the Galatians

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Luther and Calvin on Paul's Epistle to the Galatians Martin Luther stated in his commentary on Galatians 1531/35, “For in my heart there rules this one doctrine, namely, faith in ÅA Christ. From it, through it, and to it all my theological thought Juha Mikkonen: ows and returns, day and night; yet I am aware that all I have Juha Mikkonen grasped of this wisdom in its height, width, and depth are a few poor and insignicant rstfruits and fragments.” John Calvin armed in his commentary on Galatians Luther and Calvin on Paul’s 1546/48, “It was necessary to indicate the fountain, so that Epistle to the Galatians his (Paul’s) readers should know that the controversy was not concerned with some insignicant trie, but with the most the Galatians Epistle to on Paul’s and Calvin Luther important matter of all, the way we obtain salvation”. An Analysis and Comparison of Substantial Concepts in Luther’s Both Luther’s and Calvin’s thought had an indisputable 1531/35 and Calvin’s 1546/48 Commentaries on Galatians importance for the 16th century, and their theology has continuing signicance to many Christian denominations today. Both Luther and Calvin saw Paul’s epistle to the Galatians as important and composed a commentary on it, which makes it exceptionally convenient to compare the two reformers’ thought. What are the distinctive central themes for the two reformers in their respective commentaries on Galatians? Is their thought similar on key issues in their commentaries on Galatians, such as justication, the work of the Holy Spirit, law, good works and ministry? Or are there signicant dierences in how they understand these important doctrines of the Christian faith? This analysis and comparison of substantial concepts in Luther’s 1531/35 and Calvin’s 1546/48 commentaries on Galatians suggests a greater degree of agreement on the above issues between the German and the Swiss reformer than has generally been acknowledged. Åbo Akademi University Press ISBN 978-951-765-404-3 *9789517654043* 2007 Juha Mikkonen was born in Helsinki, Finland, in 1974. After matriculation examination in Toivonlinnan yhteiskoulu (1993), he received the degrees of Bachelor of Arts in Biblical and Pastoral Studies (2000) and Master of Arts in Old Testament Studies (2002) from Newbold College, England. He studied for and wrote his following doctoral thesis in the theological faculty of Åbo Akademi University, Finland. Cover: Tove Ahlbäck Åbo Akademi University Press Biskopsgatan 13, FIN-20500 ÅBO, Finland Tel. int. +358-2-215 3292 Fax int. +358-2-215 4490 E-mail: forlaget@abo.fi http://www.abo.fi/stiftelsen/forlag/ Distribution: Oy Tibo-Trading Ab P.O.Box 33, FIN-21601 PARGAS, Finland Tel. int. +358-2-454 9200 Fax int. +358-2-454 9220 E-mail: [email protected] http://www.tibo.net Juha Mikkonen was born in Helsinki, Finland, in 1974. After matriculation examination in Toivonlinnan yhteiskoulu (1993), he received the degrees of Bachelor of Arts in Biblical and Pastoral Studies (2000) and Master of Arts in Old Testament Studies (2002) from Newbold College, England. He studied for and wrote his following doctoral thesis in the theological faculty of Åbo Akademi University, Finland. Cover: Tove Ahlbäck Åbo Akademi University Press Biskopsgatan 13, FIN-20500 ÅBO, Finland Tel. int. +358-2-215 3292 Fax int. +358-2-215 4490 E-mail: forlaget@abo.fi http://www.abo.fi/stiftelsen/forlag/ Distribution: Oy Tibo-Trading Ab P.O.Box 33, FIN-21601 PARGAS, Finland Tel. int. +358-2-454 9200 Fax int. +358-2-454 9220 E-mail: [email protected] http://www.tibo.net LUTHER AND CALVIN ON PAUL'S EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS Luther and Calvin on Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians An Analysis and Comparison of Substantial Concepts in Luther’s 1531/35 and Calvin’s 1546/48 Commentaries on Galatians Juha Mikkonen ÅBO 2007 ÅBO AKADEMIS FÖRLAG – ÅBO AKADEMI UNIVERSITY PRESS CIP Cataloguing in Publication Mikkonen, Juha Luther and Calvin on Paul's epistle to the Galatians : an analysis and comparison of substantial concepts in Luther's 1531/35 and Calvin's 1546/48 commentaries on Galatians / Juha Mikkonen. –Å bo : Å bo Akademi University Press, 2007. Diss.: Å bo Akademi University. ISBN 978-951-765-404-3 ISBN 978-951-765-404-3 ISBN 978-951-765-405-0 (digital) Gummerus Kirjapaino Oy Vaajakoski 2007 Acknowledgements ’No man is an island’ said John Donne. This has certainly been true of this work. It would not have been possible without the support, help and advice received from others. There are many individuals and organisations who have played an essential part in making the accomplishment of this doctoral thesis possible, from its inception to its completion. I would like to express my thanks especially to my supervisors at the faculties of church history and systematic theology at the Åbo Akademi University. The head of the faculty of theology, professor Ingbar Dahlbacka and his wife, TM Mary Dahlbacka have been of special help at the faculty of church history both during the beginning stages of this doctoral thesis and through various stages of the work. Professor emeritus Hans-Olof Kvist, at the faculty of systematic theology, had an important role in helping me to discover the present subject and in finding an appropriate form and the right general direction to this work. I have never regretted the fact that I came to study the theology Luther’s and Calvin’s commentaries on Galatians. Professor emeritus Fredric Cleve’s insights on both Luther and Calvin have also been of special value. TD Leif Erikson’s expertise on Luther and the time of the Reformation as well as his continual helpfulness have been indispensable. I noticed that after every tutorial with him, I always knew what to do next. Professor Gunnar af Hällström’s experience and willing helpfulness were also crucial in the finishing stages of this work. I would also like to thank a number of others, whose expertise has been of special value in developing and refining this work. During my research trip to Strasbourg and Geneva, both professor emeritus Marc Lienhard and professor Irena Backus gave many knowledgeable and insightful suggestions both on Luther’s and Calvin’s theology. I would also like to thank professor Backus both for her promptness, and willingness in answering questions on various details during the course of my study, especially with regards to Calvin. In the final stages, TD Kalle Elonheimo’s, professor Backus’ and TD Olli-Pekka Vainio’s pertinent critique and suggestions were most helpful. I have also received invaluable practical help at the Åbo Akademi University. TM Marjo Ahlqvist, PM Airi Forssell and FM Eija Sjöblum have all been very willing and patient both in answering many practical questions and in helping to track down needed resources with admirable persistence. I was also touched by my previous teacher Dr. Laurence Turner’s willingness to help at a busy period in doing the final proof-reading of the thesis. This work would not have been possible without necessary financial support. Stiftelsens för Åbo Akademi forskningsinstitut, Gösta Branders’ forskningsfond, Waldermar von Frenckells stiftelse, Ingrid, Margit och Henrik Höijers donationsfond av Svenska Litteratursällskapet i Finland, Åbo Akademi ii University and the faculty of systematic theology at Åbo Akademi University have ensured that I have had the needed research materials and have been able to continue working full time on this thesis until its completion. Additionally, the financial support for the research trip to Geneva and Strasbourg by Stiftelsens för Åbo Akademi forksningsinstitut was invaluable. I would also like to thank my family for their invaluable support. During the process of research, our family has increased from two to four, which has brought much life to our home and ensured the necessary breaks during the sometimes mind-numbing process of study. My wife has been very patient and supported me all through the tedious process of completing this thesis. Her role in the accomplishment of this work was indispensable. So was that of my parents. They have also given vital encouragement and help, throughout the work and especially during the last two months of writing the thesis in caring for us and our first child Anna, when my wife and I were at the same time expecting the birth of our second child. My mother-in-law has also been always willing to come and assist, which has given me the extra time needed to complete various parts of this work. My brother-in-law and his family also gave important help both during the research trip and at other times. Finally, I consider all the help and support which I have received as a gift from above. Also, in studying and comparing Luther’s and Calvin’s commentaries on Galatians, I have learned from them, not only in terms of research, but also personally, through their faith and spiritual insight. I would therefore like to start this work with the concluding words of Luther and Calvin in their commentaries on Galatians. ‘He [Paul] prays not only that grace may be bestowed upon them freely, but that they may have a proper feeling of it in their minds. It is only really enjoyed by us when it reaches to our spirit. We ought therefore to ask that God would prepare in our souls a habitation for His grace. Amen.’ (Calvin, on Gal. 6.18) ‘From the heart I pray that we may grow more and more in the knowledge of grace and of faith in Him, so that we may be blameless and beyond reproach until the day of our redemption. To Him, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, be praise and glory forever and ever.
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