The New Testament, properly speaking, consists of promises and exhortations, just as the Old, properly speaking, consists of laws and threats. In the New Testament, the gospel is preached and this is just the word that offers the Spirit and grace for the remission of sins which was procured for us by Christ crucified. It is all entirely free, given by the mercy of God the Father alone as He shows His favour towards us, who are unworthy, and who deserve condemnation rather than anything else. Exhortations follows after this; and they are intended to stir up those who have obtained mercy and have been justified already, to be energetic in bringing forth the fruits of the Spirit and of the righteousness given them, to exercise themselves in love and good works, and boldly to bear the cross and all the other tribulations of this world. This is the whole sum of the New Testament.
—Martin Luther, The Bondage of the Will (Revell 1957) 180.
TrackBack URL: http://www.thirstytheologian.com/mt/mt-tb.cgi/326
Share this post:
Posted in: Martin Luther · The Bondage of the Will
Link · 6 Comments · 0 TrackBacks
← Previous · Home · Next →
6 Comments:
#1 || 07·01·15··17:58 || Nicholas Cardot
Very interesting quote.
#2 || 07·01·15··20:38 || Jonathan Moorhead
Weren't you reading Bondage like 5 months ago and now you're only on page 180?!
#3 || 07·01·15··22:23 || David
Yes, Jonathan, I am still reading this book. I don't think I've ever taken this long to read one book before.
I'm having a little trouble "getting it," and I'm afraid when I'm done I'm not going to consider it to be the seminal work everyone else seems to think it is. It definitely contains a lot of good theology, and Luther is highly entertaining, but I'm not finding myself too impressed with Luther's thoughts on the will, which is, after all, the point.
I have been reading several other things as well. It's not quite like my lips move when I read, if that's what you're implying.
#4 || 07·01·16··06:20 || sibert
On an aesthetic note, isn't it time to take down the wood panelling? Every time I visit your site I feel like I'm in my grandparent's basement.
#5 || 07·01·16··14:45 || pam
Oh sayest thou not thus! Leavest thy paneling! Thy paneling is like The Man's Room. Canst thou smellest thy hint of a fireplace, envision the faint whisper of tobacco smoke coming from a pipe with the aroma of Sugar Barrel, whilst a man's head is bent low, perusing his latest read over a large mahogany desk, and at his feet lay curled a companion of many walks who hast heard thy mumblings over the years whilst laying at his master's feet? The feline setting in a window seat licking its paws as the man's woman brings him a cup of hot steaming coffee. I sayest -- leavest it fine sir!
#6 || 07·01·16··15:16 || David
Yes, Pam, you do understand. Thank you. Sadly, though, I have no dog. The rest is quite acurate.
Comments on this post are closed. If you have a question or comment concerning this post, feel free to email us.