Southeast Circuit Reformation Update: Week Sixteen Southeast Circuit Reformation Update: Week Sixteen The Heidelberg Disputation The Heidelberg Disputation

Rev. Aaron Hambleton Rev. Aaron Hambleton The young, and now infamous, friar and professor of theolo- The young, and now infamous, friar and professor of theolo- gy from Wittenberg was the obvious choice for the disputa- gy from Wittenberg was the obvious choice for the disputa- tion at the annual meeting of the Augustinian minds in Hei- tion at the annual meeting of the Augustinian minds in Hei- delberg. Would he go against the suggestions of his superiors delberg. Would he go against the suggestions of his superiors and discuss the brewing indulgence controversy? After all, and discuss the brewing indulgence controversy? After all, that’s what made that’s what made him famous. Would him famous. Would he find another at- he find another at- tack against the pa- tack against the pa- pacy? What would pacy? What would he do? What would he do? What would he say? In a way, he he say? In a way, he disappointed. He disappointed. He didn’t mention the didn’t mention the controversy sur- controversy sur- rounding the rounding the Church’s use of in- Church’s use of in- dulgences. He did- dulgences. He did- n’t even mention n’t even mention the pope. Instead, the pope. Instead, the young doctor presented forty theses in a fundamental the young doctor presented forty theses in a fundamental argument with the scholastic theologians. Each statement argument with the scholastic theologians. Each statement carefully presents the paradox of the theology presented in carefully presents the paradox of the theology presented in St. Paul’s writings and further expounded by Augustine. St. Paul’s writings and further expounded by Augustine. The theses are split in two parts. The first twenty-eight deal The theses are split in two parts. The first twenty-eight deal with theology. The following twelve delve into a discussion of with theology. The following twelve delve into a discussion of the place of philosophy in theology. the place of philosophy in theology.

500 Years of the Lutheran Reformation 500 Years of the Lutheran Reformation Southeast Circuit North Dakota District Southeast Circuit North Dakota District While the philosophical discussion on the merits or harm of While the philosophical discussion on the merits or harm of Aristotelian thought on theology are important and have lat- Aristotelian thought on theology are important and have lat- er impact on Luther’s teaching, the first twenty-eight theolog- er impact on Luther’s teaching, the first twenty-eight theolog- ical statements are far more influential than the other twelve. ical statements are far more influential than the other twelve. Of the theological statements, the first twelve describe the Of the theological statements, the first twelve describe the works of men versus the works of God. This discussion of the works of men versus the works of God. This discussion of the value of the works of man is seen at its peak in the seventh value of the works of man is seen at its peak in the seventh and twelfth thesis, “7. The works of the righteous would be and twelfth thesis, “7. The works of the righteous would be mortal sins if they would not be feared as mortal sins by the mortal sins if they would not be feared as mortal sins by the righteous themselves out of pious fear of God,” and, “12. In righteous themselves out of pious fear of God,” and, “12. In the sight of God sins are then truly venial when they are the sight of God sins are then truly venial when they are feared by men to be mortal.” feared by men to be mortal.” The second group of theses discusses the place of Free Will The second group of theses discusses the place of Free Will in the life of man and is best seen in the thirteenth thesis, in the life of man and is best seen in the thirteenth thesis, “Free will, after the fall, exists in name only, and as long as it “Free will, after the fall, exists in name only, and as long as it does what it is able to do, it commits a mortal sin.” does what it is able to do, it commits a mortal sin.” The third group of theses are infamous. In this group, Luther The third group of theses are infamous. In this group, Luther unleashes the distinction between the theology of glory vs. unleashes the distinction between the theology of glory vs. the theology of the cross. “That person does not deserve to the theology of the cross. “That person does not deserve to be called a theologian who looks upon the ‘invisible’ things be called a theologian who looks upon the ‘invisible’ things of God as though they were clearly ‘perceptible in those of God as though they were clearly ‘perceptible in those things which have actually happened,’ he deserve to be things which have actually happened,’ he deserve to be called a theologian, however, who comprehends the visible called a theologian, however, who comprehends the visible and manifest things of God seen through suffering and the and manifest things of God seen through suffering and the cross. A theology of glory calls evil good and good evil. A cross. A theology of glory calls evil good and good evil. A theology of the cross calls the thing what it actually is.” He theology of the cross calls the thing what it actually is.” He then brings this distinction into the discussion of the contribu- then brings this distinction into the discussion of the contribu- tion of man to his salvation, “The law says, ‘do this,’ and it is tion of man to his salvation, “The law says, ‘do this,’ and it is never done. Grace says, ‘believe in this,’ and everything is never done. Grace says, ‘believe in this,’ and everything is already done.” In the final theological thesis, Luther marks a already done.” In the final theological thesis, Luther marks a difference between human and divine love, “The love of difference between human and divine love, “The love of God does not find, but creates, that which is pleasing to it. God does not find, but creates, that which is pleasing to it. The love of man comes into being through that which is The love of man comes into being through that which is pleasing to it.” pleasing to it.” If you would like to read the first 28 Theses yourself, you may If you would like to read the first 28 Theses yourself, you may find them at: find them at: http://www.bookofconcord.org/heidelberg.php http://www.bookofconcord.org/heidelberg.php Next Week: Luther and Cardinal Cajetan —Rev. Matthew Tooman Next Week: Luther and Cardinal Cajetan —Rev. Matthew Tooman