DOCSLIB.ORG

Smalcald Articles and Luther's Illness Smalcald Articles and Luther's Illness

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Smalcald Articles and Luther's Illness Smalcald Articles and Luther's Illness Southeast Circuit Reformation Update: Week Thirty Six Southeast Circuit Reformation Update: Week Thirty Six Smalcald Articles and Smalcald Articles and Luther’s Illness Luther’s Illness Rev. Sean Daenzer Rev. Sean Daenzer The purpose of presenting the Augsburg Confession in 1530 was not The purpose of presenting the Augsburg Confession in 1530 was not to form a new church. The Lutherans hoped a “free council” might to form a new church. The Lutherans hoped a “free council” might be called, where theologians would subject the teachings and be called, where theologians would subject the teachings and practices of the church to the Scriptures. The Augsburg Confession practices of the church to the Scriptures. The Augsburg Confession was an optimistic confession begging for such a council. was an optimistic confession begging for such a council. In 1536, the Pope finally summoned that council, but the location In 1536, the Pope finally summoned that council, but the location was Mantua, in Italy—territory deep in the control of the papacy. was Mantua, in Italy—territory deep in the control of the papacy. The Lutherans were highly skeptical that the council would be truly The Lutherans were highly skeptical that the council would be truly free. Some princes thought the best course was simply to stay free. Some princes thought the best course was simply to stay home in protest. If a council were to be attended, however, the home in protest. If a council were to be attended, however, the princes wanted to be prepared. “On what points could we com- princes wanted to be prepared. “On what points could we com- promise? On what points must we hold fast?” promise? On what points must we hold fast?” At the same time, Luther’s health had declined. He survived a heart At the same time, Luther’s health had declined. He survived a heart attack and was struck with extremely painful kidney stones. Luther attack and was struck with extremely painful kidney stones. Luther was convinced he was about to die, and was ready to meet that was convinced he was about to die, and was ready to meet that end. Already in 1528 he had written a Confession Concerning end. Already in 1528 he had written a Confession Concerning Christ’s Supper, which he called his “testament.” Now, with the pos- Christ’s Supper, which he called his “testament.” Now, with the pos- sible council coming, Luther’s prince wanted him to write a final sible council coming, Luther’s prince wanted him to write a final theological statement for adoption at Smalcald, the meeting of the theological statement for adoption at Smalcald, the meeting of the Lutheran alliance. Lutheran alliance. Luther is explicit in the articles that he does not imagine a free Luther is explicit in the articles that he does not imagine a free council or an agreement possible with Rome. His own preface to council or an agreement possible with Rome. His own preface to the document concludes with a prayer that Jesus Christ hold his the document concludes with a prayer that Jesus Christ hold his own council and that “the pope and his followers are done for. own council and that “the pope and his followers are done for. They will have none of you.” Nevertheless, the articles are orga- They will have none of you.” Nevertheless, the articles are orga- nized by what the churches hold in common, what must be held nized by what the churches hold in common, what must be held against Rome, and what few points might be discussed and clari- against Rome, and what few points might be discussed and clari- fied. fied. 500 Years of the Lutheran Reformation 500 Years of the Lutheran Reformation Southeast Circuit North Dakota District Southeast Circuit North Dakota District Part I is simply a confession of the Trinity. Part II is the articles that Part I is simply a confession of the Trinity. Part II is the articles that refer to “the first and chief article” which Luther says is “the of- refer to “the first and chief article” which Luther says is “the of- fice and work of Jesus Christ, that is, our Redemption.” The first fice and work of Jesus Christ, that is, our Redemption.” The first article in this section is a brief summary of justification by faith in article in this section is a brief summary of justification by faith in Christ’s sacrifice; the second part is the Mass, that is, the Roman Christ’s sacrifice; the second part is the Mass, that is, the Roman Catholic sacrifice to which Luther connects the doctrine of pur- Catholic sacrifice to which Luther connects the doctrine of pur- gatory and the practices of prayers to saints, monasteries, and gatory and the practices of prayers to saints, monasteries, and the papacy. Part III are other articles which Luther says could be the papacy. Part III are other articles which Luther says could be discussed, but not conceded. These articles lay out Luther’s discussed, but not conceded. These articles lay out Luther’s clear teaching on Sin, Law and Gospel, the Sacraments, matters clear teaching on Sin, Law and Gospel, the Sacraments, matters of the Church, and the place of Good Works. The topics are sim- of the Church, and the place of Good Works. The topics are sim- ilar to the Augsburg Confession, but Luther shows how each ilar to the Augsburg Confession, but Luther shows how each connects to the central article of justification by faith in Christ connects to the central article of justification by faith in Christ alone. alone. Attached to the Attached to the Smalcald Articles Smalcald Articles is the Treatise on is the Treatise on the Power and the Power and Primacy of the Primacy of the Pope by Philip Pope by Philip Melanchthon. It Melanchthon. It represents the represents the Lutheran position Lutheran position on the papacy, on the papacy, namely, “that namely, “that Cranach woodcut from Reformation era showing depiction of Christ and the marks of An- Cranach woodcut from Reformation era showing depiction of Christ and the marks of An- the “antichrist” tichrist plainly the “antichrist” tichrist plainly agree with the kingdom of the pope and his followers.” It is the agree with the kingdom of the pope and his followers.” It is the confession that best describes the Lutheran position on the Of- confession that best describes the Lutheran position on the Of- fice of the Ministry. fice of the Ministry. In the end, while the princes had resolved not to attend the In the end, while the princes had resolved not to attend the council, the Pope postponed the council anyway. No “free council, the Pope postponed the council anyway. No “free council” ever came, only the council of Trent, where the Luther- council” ever came, only the council of Trent, where the Luther- ans were not welcome. The Smalcald Articles themselves remain ans were not welcome. The Smalcald Articles themselves remain as Luther’s largest theological contribution in the Book of Con- as Luther’s largest theological contribution in the Book of Con- cord. cord. Next Week: Luther Writes the Small Catechism—Rev. Dr. Matt Richard Next Week: Luther Writes the Small Catechism—Rev. Dr. Matt Richard .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Read Like a Lutheran!
    Read Like a Lutheran! Read the Book of Concord for Lent A Forty-Day Reading Plan for 2021 Have you always given something up for Lent? Consider giving up your time every day to dig into the Lutheran Confessions! *Page numbers, given in parentheses, reference Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions, second edition, published by Concordia Publishing House. February 17: The Three Ecumenical Creeds (16–18); Luther’s Small Catechism (313–348) February 18: Luther’s Large Catechism: Preface–Part I, para. 77 (351–367) February 19: Luther’s Large Catechism: Part I, para. 78–178 (367–378) February 20: Luther’s Large Catechism: Part I, para. 179–291 (379–392) February 22: Luther’s Large Catechism: Part I, para. 292–Part II, para. 70 (392–408) February 23: Luther’s Large Catechism: Part III, para. 1–84 (408–418) February 24: Luther’s Large Catechism: Part III, para. 85–Part IV, para. 86 (419–431) February 25: Luther’s Large Catechism: Part V (431–440); Brief Exhortation to Confession (649–653) February 26: Augsburg Confession Preface–XX (27–44) February 27: Augsburg Confession XXI–XXVI (44–53) March 1: Augsburg Confession XXVII–Conclusion (53–63); Apology, Greeting to Reader (73–74) March 2: Apology I–IV (74–102) March 3: Apology V, para. 1–122 (102–118) March 4: Apology V, para. 123–212 (118–133) March 5: Apology V, para. 213–279 (133–143) March 6: Apology VII–XI (143–157) March 8: Apology XIIa (158–171) March 9: Apology XIIb (171–184) March 10: Apology XIII–XX (184–201) March 11: Apology XXI–XXII (202–210) March 12: Apology XXIII (210–218) March 13: Apology XXIV (220–236) March 15: Apology XXVII–XXVIII (237–251) March 16: Smalcald Articles: Preface–Part III, Art.
    [Show full text]
  • CTR EDITORIAL (1000 Words)
    CTR n.s.16/2 (Spring 2019) 49–66 Sola Scriptura, the Fathers, and the Church: Arguments from the Lutheran Reformers Carl L. Beckwith Beeson Divinity School Samford University, Birmingham, AL I. INTRODUCTION I learned to show this reverence and respect only to those books of the scriptures that are now called canonical so that I most firmly believe that none of their authors erred in writing anything. And if I come upon something in those writings that seems contrary to the truth, I have no doubt that either the manuscript is defective or the translator did not follow what was said or that I did not understand it. I, however, read other authors in such a way that, no matter how much they excel in holiness and learning, I do not suppose that something is true by reason of the fact that they thought so, but because they were able to convince me either through those canonical authors or by plausible reason that it does not depart from the truth.1 Augustine to Jerome, Letter 82 Martin Luther and his reforming colleagues maintained that Scripture alone determines the articles of faith. All that the church believes, teaches, and confesses rests upon the authority of the canonical scriptures, upon the unique revelation of God himself through his prophets and apostles. Luther declares, “It will not do to make articles of faith out of 1Augustine, Letter 82.3 in Letters 1–99, trans. Roland Teske (Hyde Park, NY: New City Press, 2001), 316. 50 Criswell Theological Review the holy Fathers’ words or works.
    [Show full text]
  • M4rnlngira:L Snutqly Continning LEHRE· UNO WEHRE MAGAZIN PUER Ev.-Luth
    Qtnurnr~ta: m4rnlngira:l SnutQly Continning LEHRE· UNO WEHRE MAGAZIN PUER Ev.-LuTH. HOMILETIK THEOLOGICAL QUARTERLY-THEOLOGICAL MONTHLY Vol. xn December, 1941 No. 12 CONTENTS Page Verbal Inspiration - a Stumbling-Block to the Jews and Foolish- ness to the Greeks. Th. Engelder ........................................................ 881 Sermon Study on Heb.l:l-G. Theo. Laetsch ......................................... _ .. 913 Outlines on the Wuerttemberg Epistle Selections ................................ 927 Miscellanea ............. _.......... ................................................................................ 944 Theological Observer. - Kirchlich Zeitgeschichtliches .............. _..... 951 £In Prediger muss nlcht alleln wei­ Es 1st keln Ding, daa die Leute der., alJoO dB' r die Schate un tcr­ mehr bel der Klrche behaelt denn welae. w l.e de r.-ehte Chrlate.n sollen die gute Predlgt. - Apolog(e, Art. 24 seln. sondem auch daneben den Woel­ ten wehl'e1&. dass sie die Schate nleht angrelfen und mit talscher Lehre ver­ If the trumpet give an uncertain tuehren und Irrtum elnfuehren. sound. who shall prepare blmself to Luther the battle? -1 Cor. 14:8 Pu bUshed for the Ev. Luth. Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States CONCORDIA PUBLISIIlNG HOUSE, St. Louis, Mo. Theological Observer - ,\l'ird)ficf)<3citgcid)id)tIid)es 951 Theological Observer - 5tb:djlidj,geitgefdjidjtIidje~ Is the Pope of Rome the Antichrist? - Under this heading the Australian Lutheran (July 11, 1941) writes: "The question should really be, Is he the 'man of sin' referred to in 2 Thess. 2: 3? For some reason the 'man of sin' referred to by St. Paul has always been identified with the Antichrist to whom St. John refers [1 John 2:18] .. .. Assuming that they are identical, are the marks of them found in the Roman Papacy? Luther and the Lutheran Church have always held that they are.
    [Show full text]
  • History of the Lutheran Reformation
    Celebrating the 500 th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation Sola Gratia Grace Alone Sola Fide Faith Alone Sola Scriptura Scripture Alone Martin Luther nailing his 95 Theses on the church door. Wittenberg, Germany. October 31, 1517 Contents Main People.............................................................................................1 Important Words......................................................................................2 Important Cities.......................................................................................4 Reformation Map ....................................................................................5 Chronology..............................................................................................6 Contents of the Book of Concord............................................................8 Luther's 95 Theses...................................................................................9 Luther's own description of the Reformation........................................14 Who Are Lutherans? .............................................................................19 The Lutheran Reformation Main People Earlier Reformers John Wycliffe (died 1384) -- England, translated the Latin Bible to English Jan (John) Hus (died 1415) -- Bohemia, executed (burned at the stake) People with Luther Johann Staupitz -- Luther's mentor, head of the Augustinian monastery Duke Frederick the Wise of Saxony -- Luther's protector Georg Spalatin -- Duke Frederick's assistant and problem solver in
    [Show full text]
  • Bondage of the Will: Calvin and Luther by Burnell F
    Logia a journal of lutheran theology B W reformation 1998 volume vIi, number 4 ei[ ti" lalei', wJ" lovgia Qeou' logia is a journal of Lutheran theology. As such it publishes articles on exegetical, historical, systematic, and liturgical theol- ogy that promote the orthodox theology of the Evangelical T C A features the center section of a Lutheran Church. We cling to God’s divinely instituted marks of plaque of carved ivory showing Dr. Luther nail- ing the Ninety-five Theses to the church door the church: the gospel, preached purely in all its articles, and the at Wittenberg. It dates from about . sacraments, administered according to Christ’s institution. This name expresses what this journal wants to be. In Greek, LOGIA It was given to the Concordia Seminary Library, functions either as an adjective meaning “eloquent,” “learned,” Saint Louis, by Mrs. Lydia and the Rev. Paul or “cultured,” or as a plural noun meaning “divine revelations,” Kluender in . Its origin is Austrian, and : “words,” or “messages.” The word is found in Peter , Acts the artist is unknown. :, and Romans :. Its compound forms include oJmologiva (confession), ajpologiva (defense), and ajvnalogiva (right relation- ship). Each of these concepts and all of them together express the purpose and method of this journal. LOGIA considers itself a free conference in print and is committed to providing an indepen- dent theological forum normed by the prophetic and apostolic Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions. At the heart of our FREQUENTLY USED ABBREVIATIONS journal we want our readers to find a love for the sacred Scrip- AC [CA] Augsburg Confession tures as the very Word of God, not merely as rule and norm, but AE Luther’s Works, American Edition especially as Spirit, truth, and life which reveals Him who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life — Jesus Christ our Lord.
    [Show full text]
  • Lutheran Confessions Bible Study
    A Brief Introduction to the Lutheran Confessions A Bible Study Course for Adults by Robert J. Koester Student Lessons • Lesson One—The Three Ecumenical Creeds: “The Ancient Church’s Confession” • Lesson Two—The Small and Large Catechisms: “The People’s Confession” • Lesson Three—The Augsburg Confession and the Apology: “The Princes’ Confession” • Lesson Four—The Smalcald Articles: “Luther’s Confession” • Lesson Five—The Formula of Concord, Part One: “The Theologians’ Confession” Scripture is taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. All quotations from the confessions, where noted as Kolb and Wengert, are from The Book of Concord edited by Robert Kolb and Timothy Wengert, © 2000 Fortress Press, Minneapolis, MN. Used by permission of Augsburg Fortress Publishers. All rights reserved. Northwestern Publishing House 1250 N. 113th St., Milwaukee, WI 53226-3284 www.nph.net © 2009 by Northwestern Publishing House Published 2009 Lesson One The Three Ecumenical Creeds: “The Ancient Church’s Confession” Introduction: What Are the Lutheran Confessions? Anyone who has attended the installation of a pastor or teacher in a confessional Lutheran church has heard the officiant ask the person being installed several questions. Among them are “Do you confess the Holy Scriptures to be the inspired Word of God?” and “Do you hold to the confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran church and believe they are a correct exposition of Scripture?” Then the officiant reads off the list of the Lutheran Confessions. Unless you have received the formal training of a pastor or teacher, you may be left scratching your head.
    [Show full text]
  • Praying Luther's Small Catechism
    Praying Luther’s Small Catechism The Pattern of Sound Words John T. Pless For the Rev. Dr. Norman E. Nagel on the occasion of his 90th birthday. Table of Contents Abbreviations .............................................................................................. 000 Foreword ..................................................................................................... 000 Preface ......................................................................................................... 000 Chapter 1: Praying the Catechism .............................................................. 000 Chapter 2: The Ten Commandments: An Agenda for Christian Prayer ........................................................... 000 Chapter 3: The Apostles’ Creed: Published by Concordia Publishing House 3558 S. Jefferson Ave., St. Louis, MO 63118–3968 The Trinitarian Shape of Christian Prayer ............................................ 000 1–800–325–3040 • www.cph.org Chapter 4: The Lord’s Prayer: Copyright © 2016 John T. Pless Prayer under the Pressure of the Cross ................................................. 000 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval Chapter 5: Holy Baptism: system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House. Calling on the Name Given Us ............................................................ 000 Chapter 6: Confession, Absolution,
    [Show full text]
  • Confessional Reading: the Augsburg Confession
    2017 Confessions Reading Schedule Bulletin Summary of Confessional Writings The Augsburg Confession, presented to the secular government in 1530 (June 25), is the first great statement-of-faith of the Lutherans against the Medieval Church. It was written by Philip Melanchthon, Luther’s friend and fellow professor at Wittenberg. The Apology of the Augsburg Confession was presented in 1531. It was written by Philip Melanchthon (Luther’s friend and fellow professor) to “defend” the original Augsburg Confession against criticism by further explaining its doctrine. The Smalcald Articles were written by Luther himself in 1537. Luther was often ill and, being convinced he was approaching his end, he wrote these articles as a doctrinal “Last Will and Testament” to summarize the Bible’s doctrine and unify the Lutherans around it. The Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope, written in 1537 by Philip Melanchthon (Luther’s friend and fellow professor), was written to specifically outline the Lutheran position on authority in the Medieval Church. The Small and Large Catechisms (1529) were written by Luther to help teach the faith in a simple way for all ages. We still use Luther’s Catechisms to teach the Christian faith today! The Formula of Concord (1577) was written to unify all Lutherans under one banner. When Luther died there was a vacuum for leadership in the church and several “parties” formed within Lutheranism—some began to deny the Bible’s doctrine, and others wanted to keep it pure. Martin Chemnitz was a leader of the pure Lutherans and the chief editor of the Formula, an extremely detailed document defending the doctrine of the Bible against the false teachings of other church bodies.
    [Show full text]
  • An Introduction to the Book of Concord
    21st Conference of the International Lutheran Council Berlin, Germany August 27 – September 2, 2005 Almighty God Has Allowed the Light of His Holy Gospel and His Word that Alone Grants Salvation to Appear An Introduction to the Book of Concord Robert Kolb Proclaiming God's Word and Confessing the Faith Sixteenth-century Lutherans believed that they lived in the shadow of the Last Judgment. Because of that they believed that "in the last days of this transitory world he Almighty God, out of immeasurable love, grace, and mercy for the human race, has allowed the light of his holy gospel and his Word that alone grants salvation to appear and shine forth purely, unalloyed and unadulterated out of the superstitious, papist darkness for the German nation . " (Preface of the Book of Concord, 15801). The editors of the Book of Concord reflected the widely held perception of their time that God had sent Martin Luther as his special prophet to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ before his return to judge the world. They also viewed the presentation of Luther's teaching to Emperor Charles V in the Augsburg Confession as a crucial act of God in spreading Luther's message throughout the world. Followers of Luther were convinced that God acts in a fallen world above all through his Word and that the power of the Gospel of Christ rescues sinners from death and restores them to their true humanity as children of God. What the church did with and through God's Word formed the central concern of human history, they believed.
    [Show full text]
  • Concordia Journal
    CONCORDIA JOURNAL Volume 32 April 2006 Number 2 CONTENTS EDITORIALS Editor’s Note .............................................................................. 126 Theological Observer ................................................................. 128 ARTICLES Aspects of Lutheran Identity: A Confessional Perspective Werner Klän ..............................................................................133 Luther Discovers the Gospel: Coming to the Truth and Confessing the Truth Robert Rosin ......................................................................... 147 Luther at Worms and Wartburg: Still Confessing Robert Rosin.............................................................................. 161 Here We Stand: Confessing the Faith in Luther’s Footsteps from Worms to Smalcald Robert Kolb ........................................................................... 175 The Formula of Concord as a Model for Discourse in the Church Robert Kolb ........................................................................... 189 GRAMMARIAN’S CORNER................................................................211 HOMILETICAL HELPS .................................................................. 214 BOOK REVIEWS ............................................................................... 238 BOOKS RECEIVED ........................................................................... 252 CONCORDIA JOURNAL/APRIL 2006 125 Editor’s Note The five articles presented in this issue were originally given at the twenty-first conference
    [Show full text]
  • The Smalcald Articles – Historical Context, Content, Current Significance [Presented at the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Pastors’ Institute, 1992] by Richard Balge
    The Smalcald Articles – Historical Context, Content, Current Significance [Presented at the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Pastors’ Institute, 1992] by Richard Balge “Pope Paul III convoked a council…” The Preface to the Augsburg Confession reminded Emperor Charles V of past promises to seek a general council. At two Diets of Speyer, 1526 and 1529, he had promised the evangelical princes that he would seek such a council. “If the outcome…should be such that the differences between us and the other parties in the matter of religion should not be amicably and in charity settled, then here, before Your Imperial Majesty, we make the offer in all obedience…that we will appear and defend our cause in such a general, free, Christian Council…To the assembly of the General Council, and at the same time to Your Imperial Majesty, we have…addressed ourselves and made appeal in this matter…To this appeal, both to Your Imperial Majesty and to a Council, we still adhere” (TR, 437). The German grievances (gravamina) against the papacy, especially those having to do with the outrageous flow of monies from the German lands to Rome, were not addressed at Augsburg in 1530. The emperor promised, therefore, to prevail upon the pope to convoke a general council within six months. Charles should have known from history that this was unrealistic. Events proved him too optimistic by far. When he approached the Roman Court in the aftermath of the Diet they were reluctant to agree to a council. During the remainder of Clement VII’s papacy the council idea was a political card in the power games between Pope and Emperor.
    [Show full text]
  • The Election Controversy Among Lutherans in the Twentieth Century: an Examination of the Underlying Problems
    Marquette University e-Publications@Marquette Dissertations, Theses, and Professional Dissertations (1934 -) Projects The Election Controversy Among Lutherans in the Twentieth Century: An Examination of the Underlying Problems John M. Brenner Marquette University Follow this and additional works at: https://epublications.marquette.edu/dissertations_mu Part of the Religion Commons Recommended Citation Brenner, John M., "The Election Controversy Among Lutherans in the Twentieth Century: An Examination of the Underlying Problems" (2012). Dissertations (1934 -). 204. https://epublications.marquette.edu/dissertations_mu/204 THE ELECTION CONTROVERSY AMONG LUTHERANS IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY: AN EXAMINATION OF THE UNDERLYING PROBLEMS by John M. Brenner, B.A., M.Div. A Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School, Marquette University, In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for The Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Milwaukee, Wisconsin May 2012 ABSTRACT The Election Controversy among Lutherans in the Twentieth Century: An Examination of the Underlying Problems. Author: John M. Brenner The Election Controversy of the nineteenth century re-shaped the face of confessional Lutheranism in America. The Evangelical Lutheran Synodical Conference of North America, the leading voice of confessional Lutheranism in America, bore the brunt of the dispute and ultimately dissolved. This dissertation examines the Election Controversy with special attention to the twentieth century attempts to resolve it in order to discover the underlying problems that have prevented the opposing sides from reaching a resolution. The dissertation is written from the viewpoint of the Wisconsin Synod, one of the synods involved in the controversy but often ignored in the discussion of it. The study is needed because contemporary observers do not have a good understanding of confessional Lutheranism and Lutheranism’s historic emphasis on doctrinal purity.
    [Show full text]