As we've discussed in class, Martin Luther sparked the Protestant Reformation with an alternative interpretation of the Catholic tradition, which eventually caused a schism in Western religion that the world had never seen before. Some of his radical notions may have shocked the general population of Catholic believers at the time (as well as Church leaders and the Pope himself), but it seems as though these believers eventually accepted them, especially once the common people were granted access to spiritual texts that allowed for personal interpretation. However, though Luther's ideas are largely based in logic, one may wonder whether some of his conclusions result from his frustration and utter disillusionment with the Roman Catholic Church and its demands of worshippers.
For example, in his treatise, On Christian Liberty, Luther concludes that Justification, or the state of being free and righteous, is obtained solely through absolute faith, which is accessed through the Word of God (Sola fide, Sola scriptura). The righteousness of the soul, therefore, cannot be justified by works at all, because if that were possible, we'd have no need for faith. He states, "...and if he has no need of works, he has no need of the law; and if he has no need of the law, surely he is free from the law." Here we see Luther's frustration with the laws and rites of the Catholic Church, specifically the rite of Reconciliation, from which the idea of indulgences was born.
Though indulgences and other misdeeds of the Catholic Church were certainly a sign of its corruption in the sixteenth century, many would argue that good works, like the seemingly harsh practices of the Roman Catholic Church, are not only supportive of good faith, but may also provoke some sort of revelation which sends a person into deeper faith or belief in God's Word. One may also examine the life of saints such as Mother Teresa and wonder: would her faith would be weaker if she had not accomplished all that she had in the way of good works?
In conclusion, Luther makes the distinction that only faith can rule in the soul, and for a Christian to be Justified, he must only have faith. So, is Justification an instantaneous event? Or is it an ongoing process? Is it permanent, or can it be lost as one falls in and out of faith? Because if justification is not permanent, wouldn't good works be potentially necessary to redevelop and nurture faith? In other words, can good works indeed affect the inner, spiritual person, contrary to Luther's conclusion?
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To answer one of your main questions, I think that Luther interprets justification of faith as an ongoing event in one’s life. I also think that a person can fall in and out of faith, but once that person has fallen out of faith, then it is that much harder to regain. Luther states that works and faith are not connected what so ever. He didn’t say this so that everyone would stop going to church and just say they have faith so they don’t go to hell. He said this because he wanted people to have a more individual relationship with God and find their faith for themselves; even if that means falling in and out of faith. Since works and faith are not connected, I don’t think that even good works will help one’s faith. No matter how good someone is their work means nothing to God if they don’t have faith. I used the example of Limbo in class to analyze how that even Homer, Ovid, and Virgil were all “virtuous” and did good works, but because they didn’t know the grace of God, are subject to hell.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Luther would definitely say that if one falls out of faith in God then their justification is void. Luther's entire religious idea is based off of a faith in God and if you remove that faith in God then there is no salvation for that person. Luther would argue that good works have nothing to do with the redevelopment and nurturing of faith because good works have nothing to do with the amount of faith that someone has. It is a difficult view point to understand because as humans, we are so invested in the appearances of others and we focus on what people do instead of what people think or believe. That mindset is completely opposite that of Luther's and I believe that that is the reason that we find it such a tricky concept to grasp.
ReplyDeleteJustification of faith is one that keeps their faith in their life continually. Even in you announce that you are a Christian and have faith, not following the scripture and keeping Jesus as the only way to salvation caused you to not actually have faith. Having good faith may cause one to do good works, but doing good works with no faith wil not find you a place in heaven.
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