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Thissheetmustbeaddedtothefrontoftheanyassignmentwhichissubmittedonline.Studentname:DudleyLai ACT

Number:200815806

Course:M.Div Unitcode,Unittitle:TH689

Assignmenttopic:MartinLutherontheplaceofworksintheChristianlife

Wordcountrequired:2000 Wordcountactual:2226

Lecturer:BradleyGreen,MurraySmith

Datedue:5/5/2017 Extension number and date: s126094, 13/5/2017

Datesubmitted:13/5/2017

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SynopsisTheteachingofgoodworkswasimportanttoLuther.HistoryhasshownthatLuther’sradical

teachingofjustificationbyfaithalonehasconfusedmanyabouthispositionongoodworks.

Pressurescamefromthecongregation,theprincesandtheRomanChurchpushedLutherto

clarify. Luthermade clear thathis objectionwasnotworks, onlyworkswithout faith.His

exaltationoffaithhasmademanypositivecontributionsinreformingthechurch’spractice

ofgoodworks.HoweverrecurrentantinomiandisputescontinuedtohauntLutherandhis

church. Theological assessment considers Luther’s inner andouterpersondistinction, the

doctrine of the use of the Law, and the Gospel-Law distinction. Both distinctions are

fundamentaltoLuther’stheologicalconstructonwhichtheteachingofworksissetup.Itis

importantandpositivetonotethatLutherupheldanaturallawandtaughtathirduseofthe

Law.However,therearesomeproblemsinthedistinctionsinhistheologythatcanpotentially

leadtoalevelofantinomianism.

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The teachingofworks is important toLuther.Thisessaywillexplain this fromahistorical

perspective.ItwillshowthecontributionsLuthermade,amidstconfusionsandcontroversies.

ThentheessaywillassessLuther’stheologyonworks,firstaccordingtohisinnerandouter

persondistinction,thenaccordingtohisGospel-Lawdialectic.TheessaywillshowthatLuther

upheld the Law for the teaching of good works. However, there are problems in his

theologicaldistinctionsthatcanleadtoalevelofantinomianism.

Historicalcontext

Luther’sreformanditsreaction

Luthertaughtthatjustificationandsalvationisbyfaithalone,notbyworks.Headvocated

everyChristiantoputasideconfidenceinworks,tolookbeyondworksandconsiderone’s

standingbeforeGod,tochallengethechurch’spreceptsandprescriptionofgoodworks.

Suchteachingwasradicalatthetime.Manywereconfused,astherumourofLutherintending

togetridofgoodworkshadspreadpriorto1517.1TherewaspressurefromtheWittenberg

congregation, especially the ruling class, demanding clarification.2The princes needed to

knowwhereLutherstoodongoodworks,becausetheteachingonsuchsubjectcouldimpact

thesecurityandprosperityoftheirkingdoms.TheRomanchurchalsoassertedpressureby

commendingherselftorulersofheremphasisonteachinggoodworks.Lutherclarifiedhis

teachingbypublishingTheTreatiseonWorksin1520.3

Luther’sclarificationonworks

Lutherclarifiedthatworksarenothisobjection,onlyworkswithoutfaith.Hepromotedgood

worksbystatingthataChristianlifeissupposedtobefilledwiththem.Upholdingjustification

by faith alone, he advocated its benefits in enablingworks tobedonehumbly, sincerely,

1‘DukeGeorgeofSaxonyhadreceivednogoodimpressionfromasermonLutherhaddeliveredatDresden,becausehefearedtheconsequenceswhichLuther'sdoctrineofjustificationbyfaithalonemighthaveuponthemoralsofthemasses.’MartinLuther,TheTreatiseonGoodWorks.Trans.M.RueinChristianClassicsEtherealLibrary.Preface.2Therearelettersbycorrespondence,showingthatGeorgeSpalatin,court-preachertotheElector,remindedLutherofapromise,whichLutherhadalsogiventohisWittenbergcongregation,thathepromisedtodeliverasermonongoodworks;onMarch25,1520,LutherwrotetoSpalatintellinghimsuchpromisewouldbedeliveredintheformofabookletinsteadofasermon.Luther,Treatise,Preface.3BytheincentiveofGeorgeSpalatin,thecourtpreacheroftheElector,LutherfinishedTheTreatiseonWorksin1520,dedicatingittoJohn-brotherofFredericktheWise-whosucceededFrederickin1527.

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joyfully, rather thanproudly,hypocriticallywithmercenarymotive.The frameworkof the

treatybeinganexpositionofthetencommandmentsdemonstratesthathistheologyisnot

antinomian,ratheritaimsatfulfillingGod’slaw.

Luther exposed how the practice of good works in church had departed from God’s

commandments.Hediagnosedthehierarchicalmentalityregardinggoodworksasthelackof

faithinChrist’sworkinjustification,thatpeopleconjuredup‘superiorworks’towinGod’s

favour. Seeing faith as the chiefworkand the fulfilmentof the first commandment, such

faithlessnessleadstothebreakingofthefirst,andthefailureinkeepingtherest,ofGod’s

commandments.

Luther’sinsightofthenecessityoffaithinallworksisproductiveinreformingthechurch:

1.itpromotesthebibleastheauthorityoverthechurch’spreceptsandprescriptionsongood

works,whichcanbeevaluatedbytwoprinciples:discipliningtheflesh,servingneighbours.

Luther’srecurrentemphasisisthatGod’scommandmentsinhisWordalonemakesabeliever

sobusywithgoodworks,thereisnoroomforman-made‘goodworks’.

2.itbroadensgoodworkstoeveryaspectoflife.Itpromotessincerityandtheocentricity.4

WitharestoredrelationshipwithGodbyfaithasthekey,everymoment isamomentfor

goodworks.

3.itgivesmeaningtoallclassesandroles.ThepervasivenessofGodcommandmentsenables

peopleinallwalksoflifetomakethemostoftheircallingtoserveGodandeachother.

4.itpromotessocialjustice.God’scommandmentscompelbelieverstodogoodtoeveryone,

without distinction, including the lowly, the needy, foreigners and enemies. As Luther

4Lutherillustratesthisbyloverswhobelieveintheirlove,‘theymakenodifferenceinlove,theydothegreat,thelong,themuch,asgladlyasthesmall,theshort,thelittleandviceversa.Luther,Treatise.vi

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declared,‘aChristianisaperfectlyfreelordofall,subjecttonone.5AChristianisaperfectly

dutifulservantofall,subjectofall’.6

5.itdeepenstheunderstandingofGod’scommandments.BeingcertainofGod’sforgiveness

enablesone tobemore critical of oneself, and to seekdeeper into theessenceofGod’s

commandments,insteadofsimplyobservingthemaswrittencodes.

Lutherclarifiedhisstanceandinsistedongoodworks-donebyfaithaccordingtoGod’sword

andcommandments-beinganimportantpartofaChristianlife;yet,controversiescontinued.

In 1527, JohnAgricola, Luther’s colleague, basedon1Tim1:9, denied the Law’s ability to

convict the conscience, to compel into good works, as the Law has nothing to do with

Gentiles.7ThisresultedinAgricolabeingaccusedasantinomian.Thiscontroversywassettled

attheTorgauCastlemeeting,inwhichLutherinsistedontheLawofMosesbepreached.Ten

yearslaterantinomiandisputesresurfaced.

TheessaywillnowturntoLuther’stheology.Itwillfirstlydiscussthedistinctionbetweenthe

innerandtheouterperson,secondlywilldiscussthedistinctionbetweentheGospelandthe

Law.ThosetwodistinctionsarefundamentaltoLuther’stheologicalconstruct,onwhichthe

teachingofworksissetup.

5MarkD.TranvikdisagreeswithHaroldGrimm’stranslation:‘subjecttonone’,whichhecriticisesasfailingtocomprehendLuther’sconcerninthisessaythatallrelationships(includinginanimatethingslikemoney,property,anddiet)areencompassedbyChristianfreedom,andpreferstotranslateas‘completelyfreeofeverything’.WhileTranvikisnotwrongregardingLuther’soveralldoctrine,theessayprefersGrimm’stranslation.Firstly,Luther’sprooftextsforsuchstatementare1Cor9:19andRo13:8,inwhichPaulclearlytalksaboutrelationshipwithpeople,notanimatedthings.Secondlythehistoricalcontextlendsmoretowardspeople;understandably,withsuchstatement,Lutherchallengedthesupremepowerofthepope,andralliedotherChristians,especiallyChristianpoliticalpowers,tothecause,asseenin‘TotheChristianNobilityoftheGermanNation’.6MartinLuther,TheFreedomofChristianTrans.MarkD.Tranvik(Minneapolis:FortressPress,2008)50.7HetaughtthattheLawwasgiventoMosessimplyascommonlawtotheJews,andhasnothingtodowithGentiles.JohnAgricola,‘OneHundredThirtycommonQuestions’114-116,trans.TimothyWengert,SourcesandContextsiftheBookofConcord,RobertKolbandJamesA.Nestingen,eds.(Minneapolis:Fortress,2001),13-30.

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Theologicalassessment

1.Theinner-outerpersondistinctionandworks

Lutherseesworksasexternal,whilefaithandjustificationarematterstodowiththeinner

persononly.8By separating the inner and theouterperson, Luther separatesworks from

justificationorsalvation.Herelatesfaithandworks-innerpersonandouterperson-ascause

andeffect;Lutherusesatreeanditsfruitasananalogy;9yetLutherrefusestoviewgood

worksasanevidenceorproofofjustification,rejectingtermslike‘worksofworthiness’and

‘worksofcongruity’.10

DirectAssessmentandcriticism

Firstly,formallylawandworksareexternal;however,Lutheralsoseesajustifiedsaintas‘the

tabletofMoses…writtenuponoutwardlyandinwardlybythefingerofGodhimself’,11who

‘observeit[theLaw]externallyandwiththeheart’.12

Secondly, Luther sees having faith as doing the first commandment (John6).13If the first

commandment-worshipGodalone- is fulfilledby the innerpersonhaving faith, thebible

woulddisagree:inRomans12,Paulteachesworshipasofferingthebodyasasacrifice,not

offeringtheinnerperson.

Thirdly, Luther teaches that the goal of fasting and vigils is ‘to have the body obey and

conform-andnothinder- the innerpersonof faith’14; Is thisnotcontradictory toLuther’s

distinction between the inner and the outer person? towhich he said, ‘nor can anything

externalproduceunrighteousness…’15or‘onlyungodlinessandunbeliefoftheheartmakea

personacondemnedservantofsin- thiscannotbecausedbyanyexternalworkoractof

8Luther,Freedom,51-2.9Luther,Freedom,76.10‘wearejustifiedbygracealonewithoutanyworkswhatever,andtherefore,withoutthelawitself,inwhicharecomprehendedallworks,greatandlittle,worksof“congruity”andworksof“worthiness”.’MartinLuther,TheBondageofTheWill,Trans.HenryCole,ChristianClassicsEtherealLibrary,sectionCL.Thedirectionisabsolutelyfromjustification-whichLutherequatestoimputationrighteousness-toworks;thereforeworkscannotcontributetojustificationnorsalvation.11SermonforNewYearsDayonGal3:23-29,ChurchPostil,Lenker6:272-274;WA10/1.1:457-58.12Ibid.13Luther,Treatise.ix.Thisismorethansayingthatfaithisnecessaryforkeepingthelaw.14Luther,Freedom,72.15Luther,Freedom,51.

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sin’?16Evidently,Luthercannotseparatelaw/worksandfaithasmuchasheattemptsinhis

formulation.

Luther’sprooftextsofsuchseparationare2Cor4:16,Rom7:15-25,Gal5:16-17.17Scripture

distinguishesbodyandsoul(Matt10:28),buttomakeanabsoluteseparationinregardsto

righteousnessisbiblicallyunwarranted(Rom12:1;1Cor6:19).Equatingthewarbetweenthe

Spiritandtheflesh(Gal5:16-17)withthewarbetweenthemindandthebody(Rom7:15-25)

isproblematicbecauseofthedifferentcontexts.

2.ThedoctrineoftheuseoftheLaw

WorksareexcludedfromLuther’sdoctrineofjustification,butisfoundinhisdoctrineofthe

useoftheLaw.18

TraditionalLutheransseeLutherteachingonlytwousesofthelaw:civiluseandtheological

use; although some are aware that Luther taught a third use, commenting that Luther

‘touched lightlyon the thirduseof the law’,19‘it [the thirduse]onlyexpressedapassing

thought and is then dropped’ 20 . However, Luther has documents that span his whole

reformationcareer-LecturesonRomans(1515-16),21ChristmasPostil(Weihnachtspostille)

(1522),22Lectureson1Timothy (1528),23TheSmalcaldArticles (1536-38),24TheAntinomian

16Luther,Freedom,55.17Luther,Freedom,51,72.18LutherseesworksandtheLawinthesamecriteria,sincePaulclearlyrejectstheLawasameansofjustification,Luthertakesthatworksalsohavenothingtodowithjustificationorsalvation.19JohnWillteJr.,LawandProtestantism:TheLegalTeachingsoftheLutheranReformation(Cambridge:CambridgeUniversityPress,2002),103-4.20GerhardEbeling,“OntheDoctrineoftheTriplexUsuslegisintheTheologyoftheReformation.”WordandFaith,Trans.JamesW.Leitch(Philadelphia:FortressPress,1963)64-65.21‘thedoctorisnotcondemningthewinebutonlythefoolishtrustofthesickmaninit.Forheneedsothermedicinetogetwell,sothathethencandrinkhiswine.ThusalsoourcorruptnatureneedsanotherkindofmedicinethantheLaw,bywhichitcanarriveatgoodhealthsoitcanfulfiltheLaw.’LecturesonRomans,LW25:350.22‘ThethirdclassisthetableofMoses,writtenuponoutwardlyandinwardlybythefingerofGodhimself.’ChurchPostil,Lenker6:272-274;WA10/I.I:457-58.23‘TheLawthereforeisgoodbecauseitshowsnotonlyevilbutalsothegoodwhichonemustdo.’Lectureon1Timothy,LW28:235.24EdwardA.Engelbrecht,FriendsOfTheLaw:Luther’sUseoftheLawfortheChristianLife.(SaintLouis:ConcordiaPublishingHouse,2011)142-3

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Disputations(1537-39),25andChurchPostill(1540,43)26-whichfeaturetheteachingofathird

useofthelaw.27

ItisimportanttonotethatLutheracknowledgedanaturallaw,28andthathetaughtthethird

useoftheLawinrevealingwhatisgoodandoughttobedone.Theyarecrucialtotheteaching

ofgoodworks,29andtheydemonstrateinhistheologythecontinuityofGod’sdemands,30his

righteousrequirement,31andhisnaturefromtheOldTestament.32

Inreactiontotheantinomiancontroversy,LuthershiftedhisemphasisontheroleoftheLaw

frombeforejustificationtoafterjustificationinChristianslife.33However,thefocusshifted,

notthesubstanceofhisdoctrine.Engelbrechtinsightfullylistedfiveconsistentfeatures:341.

IntenseemphasisonthetheologicaluseoftheLawinrepentance.2.Completeremovalof

25‘He[Christ]obtainedtheSpiritforallwhobelieveinhim.Impelledbyhim,theybegintofulfilthelawalsointhislife,andinthefuturelifetheirobedienceofthelawwillbesupremelydelightfulandperfect…’Disp.I,Arg.1;Silcock128.‘Thelawindeeddemandsabdshowswhatistobedone…he[Christ]givesthewilltodothelaw,imperfectly…burperfectlyinthelifetocome.’Disp.1,Arg.5;Silcock149.26‘Christ…hascome,nottodestroytheLaw,buttoestablishit,notonlyonhimself…butinmeandinallChristians.’ChurchPostil,Lenker5:190.27Engelbrechtidentifiedseveralfactorsthatcanbeattributedtoscholars’flawedconclusionofLutheronlyadvocatingthefirstandseconduses:1.overlookingthewidelypublishedandpopularChurchPostilsandfocusingonmoreacademicanduniquetopicsofstudy.2.Thesocialinfluenceonthescholars.3.Lutherwasmeetingapastoraldemandatthetime:inatenseoppositionagainsttheRomansfearinghisdoctrineofjustificationbyfaithalonebeinjeopardy,Lutherfocusesthedamningandharshpropertyofthelaw;duringthedebateagainsttheantinomians,Lutheremphasisedthepositiveaspectsofthelaw.4.Texteffect-focusingonthetextathandchangeshowatheologicalstatementismade.5.Editing:editorsenumeratedLuther’snotes-eveninwhereLutherdidnotenumerate-forclaritysake.28‘WeshouldnotsweepMosesundertherug…thuswherehe[Moses]givescommandment,wearenottofollowhimexceptsofarasheagreeswiththenaturallaw…wehaveourownmaster,Christ,andhehassetbeforeuswhatwearetoknow,observe,soandleaveundone’.LW35:17329‘‘LetusnotgiveeartothosewhodesiretoseetheLawbanishedfromthechurch.Foritsofficeiscontinuallynecessaryandusefulnotonlybecauseofthehardenedaretobefrightened,butalsobecausethegodlyaretobeadmonishedtocontinueintherepentancethattheyhavebegununtiltheendoftheirlife.’Disp1mArg.7;Silcock154.‘It[theLaw]mustbetaughtinorderthatdisciplineandthedoctrineconcerninggoodworksberetained’.LectureonGenesis(1535-44)LW8:17030‘ItisChrist’sofficetorestorehumanrace,alsointhislife,tothatlostinnocenceandjoyfulobediencetotheLaw.’Disp.1,Arg.7;Silcock154.31(1519)LecturesonRomans,LW25:350.(1537)ChurchPostil,Lenker5:193.(1537)SermononJohn1-4,LW22:38-39.32‘ThusthereisfirstgivenusthroughChristthesensethatwedonotfulfiltheLawandthatsinisfullyandcompletelyforgiven;however,thisisnotbestowedinawayortotheend,thatweinthefutureneednotkeeptheLaw…butthereisbestoweduponusthesensethatthefulfillingoftheLawmaynowforthefirsttimebesuccessfullyattemptedandperfectlyrealized,andthisistheeternal,fixedandunchangeablewillofGod.’(1537)ChurchPostil,Lenker5:188.33Engelbrecht,Friends,175.34Engelbrecht,Friends,176

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theLawfromjustification.3.EmphasisoftheHolySpiritandspontaneityofgoodworks.4.

Turningancientandmedieval‘usefulnessoftheLaw’intoadialecticallydistinctmessagesof

theLawandtheGospel.5.TheviewofChristiansasjustuspeccatoretsimulttoaccountfor

thecomplexityofChristianlife.35

TheteachingofgoodworksthroughtheGospel-Lawdialectic36

LutherseesadistinctiveyetsymbioticrelationshipbetweentheGospelandtheLaw.Luther

usessuchdistinctionasahermeneutictool,37aswellasadidactictool.Heinsistsboththe

GospelandtheLawbepreached inchurchsothetwocanbetaughtdialectically: the law

accuses and drives to the seeking of refuge in the Gospel, then the grace of the Gospel

generatesathankfuldesireforGodinbelievers,whichleadsthembacktoGod’scommands

intheLaw,38finallyresultsinaspontaneityofgoodworks.39

Directassessmentandcriticism

IsLuther’swayoftreatingtheGospelandtheLawbiblical?Thebibledoesnotwarrantsuch

distinctionofGod’scommandmentandworksfromtheGospel.

Firstly,thereareworksandjudgmentwithinthegospel.Theteachingofjudgmentbyworks,

asPaulclaims,isaccordingtohisgospel,notseparatefromit(Rom.2:16).

Secondly,thereislawwithinthegospel:In1Tim1:8-11,Paulemphasisedthestatusofthose

withinthejurisdictionoftheLawbeingsinners,somethingthoseaspiredtobeteachersof

35ThisacknowledgementofChristiansbeingsinnersovercomestheallegedobstacleontheuseofthelawbyajustifiedpersonposedby1Tim1:9.36TheGospelreferstothedoctrineofjustification,andtheLawreferstothedoctrineoftheuseoftheLaw.37ThisisobviousinTheBondageoftheWill.38‘TheGospelsays…learnthecommandment[s]ofGod.Fortheyteachwhatthingsshouldtrulystand,whatthingsareordainedbyGodandpleasingtohim…therefore,wheneverthesetwodoctrines-LawandGospel-remainclearandbright,thereshinesthesun,thatisthegospel,[and]themoon,thatis,theLaw…onecanknowdayandnightdistinctly.Whentheyaretakenaway,itissheerblindnessanddarkness’.WA37:174.1533p.18039LutherpracticallyhastheLawandtheGospelactingastwoparents-oneharsh/fearsomeonesoft/gracious-cooperatingtobringupagoodchild.

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thelawneglected(1:7);PaulhasnothingagainsttheLawperse(1:8),ratherhedeclaresthat

histeachingofthegospeliscompatiblewiththeLaw(1:11).40

TheGospelcontainingGod’sdemandforobeyinghiscommandmentsandjudgmentbyworks

istaughtintherestofScripture(example:Rev14:6-7).

Finalassessmentandcriticism

Luther’stwoviewsofChristians-asfriendsofthelaw,41asjustuspeccatoretsimult-42andhis

teaching about the Holy Spirit hold the two doctrines together; still, there are problems

generated.

1.Worksandsalvation

Such distinction inevitably creates an antithesis between grace andworks. Cuttingworks

awayfromtheGospel,rendersthegoaloftheGospel-theconceptofsalvationitself-simply

theescapefromGod’swrath,distancingpersonalrighteousnessfromsalvation.

AlthoughLutherteachestheimportanceoffulfillingtherighteousrequirementofthelawby

works and the personal righteousness in Christian life, 43 but because of the line drawn

betweenworksandjustification,hecannotrelateworksandthefulfilmentofthelawwith

salvation, let alone acknowledging them as the goal of the Gospel. Luther completely

40TheessayseesthatPaul,inhisjustificationbyfaithapartfromworksofthelaw,opposedbeingthejurisdiction/poweroftheLaw,nottheLawperse.41‘We’renotfreefromthelawinahumanwaybywhichthelawisdestroyedandchanged,butinadivineandtheologicalwaybywhichwearechangedfromenemiesofthelawandmadefriendsofthelaw.’LecturesonGalatians(1519).LW27:347.42AccordingtoThomasM.Wingeron"SimulJustusEtPeccator:DidLutherandtheConfessionsgetPaulright?"presentedinDresdenin2004andpublishedinLTRXVII2004-5,90-108,thisLatinphraseappearedinLuther'swritingsalthoughitneverusedbutassumedintheLutheranConfessionalwritings.Yee,Martin,“SimulJustusEtPeccator.ByThomasWinger”LastmodifiedJanuary,15,2011.AccessedApril22,2017,http://lutherantheologystudygroup.blogspot.com.au/2011/01/simul-justus-et-peccator-by-thomas.html/.43seefootnotes30,31,32.

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collapsesjustificationfromatransformationprocess-thetraditionalAugustinianview-intoa

simpleimputation.44ThisleadstoabiasedviewonJames(2:21-24).45

2.Worksandeternalconsequences

Suchdistinctioncannotdojusticetothebiblicalideaofconditionality.Lutheracknowledges

judgmentbyworks,46yethefailstorecognisethatGoddoesposeconditionsforsalvation

andjustificationonhowoneshouldlive(Gal6:8).

Lutherdevelopedsomeinsightsonthebiblicalideaofrewards.Heteachesthatthematter

of rewardmust be considered on two levels- consequence andworthiness- he said ‘as it

respectsmeritorreward,youmustspeak,eitheroftheworthinessoroftheconsequence.If

youspeakoftheworthiness,thereisnomerit,noreward.Ifyouspeakoftheconsequence,

thereisnothingeithergoodorevilwhichhasnotitsreward.’47

Onthelevelofconsequence,Lutherconfirmsthattherearemeritsandrewardsineverything

includingsalvationandcondemnation:‘Forthereremains,asanecessaryconsequencethe

judgmentofGodandahellforthewicked,…Inthesamemanner,thereremainsakingdom

forthejust…’48Onthelevelofworthiness,Luthercommentedthat‘thekingdommeritsthe

44Interestingtonotethatinhis‘SermonontheTwoKindsofRighteousness’(1518)Lutheractuallytaughttheimputationofrighteousnessbeinginfusedasaprocess.Theessayagreeswiththereformersonapunctilliarimputationofjustificationwhichisthefoundationofthewholejustification,butalsoacknowledges,besideimputation,atransformationelementofjustificationandafinaljustificationthatisrelatedtothefinaljudgmentbyworks.45LuthertakesPaulasthecontrollingfactorforinterpretingJamesasserting‘StPaulteachestothecontrary’,sothatJames‘cannotbedefended’.LW35.396,PaulA.Rainbow,TheWayofSalvation,TheRoleifChristianObedienceinJustification(Bletchley,Paternoster,2005)219.46‘ForChristatthelastdaywillnotaskhowmuchyouhaveprayed,fasted,pilgrimaged,donethisorthatforyourself,buthowmuchgoodyouhavedonetoothers,eventheveryleast.’Luther,Treatise.2xvi.‘Godwill,afterall,notaskthemaboutthesethingsattheirdeathandinthedayofjudgment,butwillrequireofthemthechildrenwhomHeentrustedtothem.Lukexxiii,“Blessedarethewombsthatneverbare,andthepapswhichnevergavesuck."Whyshalltheylament,exceptbecausealltheircondemnationcomesfromtheirownchildren?’Luther,Treatise.3vi.LutherissostrongonChristianscaringforpeopleandonparentscaringfromchildrenbecauseheappliesthelogiconthepapalchurchtojustifygoingagainsther:‘Sotodealwiththeclergyaswithafatherwhohaslosthissenseandwits;who,ifonedidnotrestrainhimandresisthim(althoughwithallhumilityandhonor),mightdestroychild,heirandeverybody.ThuswearetohonorRomanauthorityasourhighestfather;andyet,sincetheyhavegonemadandlosttheirsenses,notallowthemtodowhattheyattempt,lestChristendombedestroyedthereby.’Luther,Treatise,3ix-x.47Luther,Bondage,sectionLXIX-LXX48ibid.sectionLXX.Lutherdoesnotobjectthateternaldestinyistheconsequenceofthelifelived,heonlyobjectstheattitudethatisself-seekinginoppositiontoonethatistheocentric:‘Nay,iftheyshouldworkgood

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sons,notthesonsthekingdom.’49

Despitesuchinsights,becauseofthelinedrawnbetweenworksandsalvation,Lutherfailsto

acceptthebiblicalteachingofconditionality.50TheresultistheimpressionthatChristiansare

practicallyimmunefromtheconsequencesofhowtheylive.

3.Motivationforgoodworks

Luther’semphasisofthespontaneityleavesgoodworksexcessivelydependentonthestate

ofmindandemotionofbelievers.51

LutheremphasisesChristiangoodworksmustbeoutofdesirefromtheGospelinwhichthere

isnofearatall.Meanwhile,LutherteachesthefearofGod,butitisseparatefromtheGospel

andisfoundintheLaw.However,healsoteachesthattheLawmustnotreachtothelevelof

consciencetoterrifybelievers.52

TheLawalwaysaccuses,suchfearisbasicallyafearofpunishment;whichhasbeentaken

awaybyfaith.Thus,practically,thereisnofearindrivingChristianstogoodworks,onlydesire.

inordertoobtaintheKingdom,theyneverwouldobtainit…Whereas,thesonsofGod,dogoodwithafree-will,seekingnoreward,butthegloryandwillofGodonly.’Ibid.sectionLXX.49ibid,sectionLXX50ThisisapparentinthefollowingstatementsandhisexegesisofCol3:17:‘inthatittrustsGodanddoesnotdoubtthatforitallthingsthatamandoesarewelldone…allthattheydomustbegood,ortheevilthattheydomustbequicklyforgiven’.Luther,Treatise,iv.‘Inbrief,nothingcanbeinoraboutusandnothingcanhappentousbutthatitmustbegoodandmeritorious,ifwebelieve(asweought)thatallthingspleaseGod.SosaysSt.Paul"Dearbrethren,allthatyedo,whetheryeeatordrink,doallintheNameofJesusChrist,ourLord.".Luther,Treatise.xiii51‘wherepeopleconsiderthisandtakeittoheart,therewillariseaspontaneousimpulseanddesiregladlytodothewillofGod’.IntheconclusionofTheTenCommandmentsintheLargeCatechism.Engelbrecht,Friends,123.52‘Law,youwanttoascendintotherealmofconscienceandrulethere.Youwanttodenounceitssinandtakeawaythejoyofmyheart,whichIhavethroughfaithinChrist.Youwanttoplungemetodespair,inorderthatImayperish.Youareexceedingyourjurisdiction.Staywithinyourlimits,andexerciseyourdominionovertheflesh.Youshallnottouchmyconscience.ForIambaptized;andthroughtheGospelIhavebeencalledtoafellowshipofrighteousnessandeternallife,tothekingdomofChrist,inwhichmyconscienceisatpeace,wherethereisnoLawbutonlytheforgivenessofsins,peace,quiet,happiness,salvation,andeternallife.Donotdisturbmeinthesematters.InmyconsciencenottheLawwillreign,thathardtyrantandcrueldisciplinarian,butChrist…’LecturesonGalatians(1531).LW26:11.‘Thelawhasalreadybeenconsiderablysoftenedthroughjustification…soitoughtnotterrifythejustified.’Disp.2,Arg.21;Silcock371-72.NoticehowclosethesestatementsaretoAgricola’sOneHundredThirtyCommonQuestions,114-115.Seefootnote7.

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Suchteachingisunbiblicalbecausefirstly,ChristiansaretofearGod,notGod’spunishment

(1Jn4:17-18);secondlyfearisabiblicallyrightfulmotivationtowardsgoodworks(Phil2:12-

13,Rev14:6-7). This inevitably tips thebalanceof themotivationway towardsbeliever’s

desireawayfromGod’sdemand.Itpotentiallyturnsgoodworksintohaphazardactsinstead

ofaconstantduty.Christiansbeingpracticallywithoutfear,coupledwiththeimpressionof

beingimmunetoconsequences,asdiscussed,leadstoalevelofantinomianism.

Inconclusion,Luther’sexaltationoffaithhasmadeproductivecontributionstoreformingthe

practiceof goodworksby theChurch.Meanwhile, history shows that antinomianismhas

plaguedLuther’schurch.ThetheologicalassessmentpointedoutLuther’sinsightsontheuses

ofthelaw,aswellassomeproblemstodowithhisinnerandouterpersondistinction,and

hisGospel-Lawdialectic.

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Bibliography:Agricola,John.,OneHundredThirtycommonQuestions.TranslatedbyTimothyWengertinSourcesandContextsoftheBookofConcord,EditedbyRobertKolbandJamesA.Nestingen.Minneapolis:FortressPress,2001.Engelbrecht,EdwardA.,FriendsOfTheLaw:Luther’sUseoftheLawfortheChristianLife.SaintLouis:ConcordiaPublishingHouse,2011.Ebeling,Gerhard.“OntheDoctrineoftheTriplexUsuslegisintheTheologyoftheReformation.”WordandFaith,Trans.JamesW.Leitch,Philadelphia:FortressPress,1963.Green,BradleyG.,CovenantandCommandment:Works,ObedienceandfaithfulnessintheChristianLife.Illinois:InterVarsityPress,2014.Luther,Martin:

ChristmasPostil(Weihnachtspostille)(1522)SermonsofMartinLuther.Ed.JohnNicholasLenker.8vols.GrandRapids,MI:BakerBookHouse,reprint1989.(Lenker)ChurchPostill(1537,40,43).Lenker

Lectureson1Timothy(1528).Luther’sWork.AmericanEdition.Gen.eds.JoroslavPelikanandHelmutT.Lehmann.56vols.St.Louis:Concordia,andPhiladelphia:MuhlenbergandFortress,1955-86.Vols.56-75:EditedbyChristopherBoydBrown.St.Louis:Concordia,2009-.(LW)

LecturesonGalatians(1519,1531).(LW)LecturesofGenesis,(1535-1544).(LW)

LectureonJohn.(LW)

LecturesonRomans,(1515-16).LW

TheSmalcaldArticles(1536-38).Engelbrecht,EdwardA.,FriendsOfTheLaw:Luther’sUseoftheLawfortheChristianLife.SaintLouis:ConcordiaPublishingHouse,2011.

TheTenCommandmentsintheLargeCatechism.Engelbrecht,EdwardA.,FriendsOfTheLaw:Luther’sUseoftheLawfortheChristianLife.SaintLouis:ConcordiaPublishingHouse,2011.

TheAntinomianDisputations(1537-39).TranslatedbyJeffreyG,SilcockinSilcock,JeffreyG.“LawandGospelinLuther’sAntinomianDisputations,withSpecialReferencetoFaith’sUseoftheLaw.”Th.D.diss.,ConcordiaSeminary,1995.

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TheFreedomofaChristian.TranslatedbyMarkD.Tranvik,Minneapolis:FortressPress,2008.

TheTreatiseonGoodWorks.TranslatedbyM.RueinChristianClassicsEtherealLibrary.

TheBondageoftheWill.TranslatedbyHenryColeinChristianClassicsEtherealLibrary.

SermonontheTwoKindsofRighteousness(1518).

TotheChristianNobilityoftheGermanNation.

Rainbow,P.A.TheWayofSalvation,TheRoleofChristianObedienceinJustification,Bletchley.Waynesboro:Paternoster,2005.Silcock, Jeffrey G. “Law and Gospel in Luther’s Antonomian Disputations, with SpecialReferencetoFaith’sUseoftheLaw.”Th.D.diss.,ConcordiaSeminary,1995.Wengert,Timothy.,trans.InSourcesandContextsiftheBookofConcord,RobertKolbandJamesA.Nestingen,eds.Minneapolis:Fortress,2001.WillteJr.John.,LawandProtestantism:TheLegalTeachingsoftheLutheranReformation.Cambridge:CambridgeUniversityPress,2002.Yee,Martin,“SimulJustusEtPeccator.ByThomasWinger”LastmodifiedJanuary,15,2011.AccessedApril22,2017,http://lutherantheologystudygroup.blogspot.com.au/2011/01/simul-justus-et-peccator-by-thomas.html/.