Views By Luther   

We approach the 500th anniversary of the start

of the Protestant Reformation, October 31.

What did Martin Luther believe?

God revealed himself in the broken flesh of Christ on the cross.

Prosperity?

The Lord Jesus was most blessed of all, yet his pathway took him to the cross.

 Christian blessing is spiritual, not material.

Positive Thinking?

Luther would say, positive thinking is deceptive.

For Luther, the way to heaven (life) paradoxically is through hell (death).

That's what baptism is about: dying and rising.

Comforting Words?

Stories of our basic goodness are enslaving lies.

We are dead in our trespasses and sins. Our rebellion cuts us off from God.

Unless we understand that, we miss the important need of a Savior.

Grace?

Luther is known for saved by grace alone theology. 

But he called for balance. 

We only understand God's grace by first understanding the problem.

That requires preaching of the law.

Reason?

Vertically, Luther had limited use for reason. 

Horizontally, some things might "stand to reason."

But reason is captive to our sinful desires, 

bending our thinking to justify our actions. 

Source: WORLD magazine interviewed professor Carl Trueman of Westminster Theological Seminary. He says, the Holy Spirit takes the proclaimed Word and works miracles in people's hearts. He stresses a strong pulpit ministry, along with vibrant worship, times of confession, forgiveness and intercession, with a benediction.