Martin Luther posted these comments: “This unbridled preaching of indulgences makes it difficult for learned men to guard the respect due to the pope against false accusations, or at least from the keen criticisms of the laity.
They ask, e.g.: Why does not the pope liberate everyone from purgatory for the sake of love (a most holy thing) and because of the supreme necessity of their souls? This would be morally the best of all reasons. Meanwhile he redeems innumerable souls for money, a most perishable thing, with which to build St. Peter’s church, a very minor purpose.”
The end of Luther’s list of Theses:
90.These questions are serious matters of conscience to the laity. To suppress them by force alone, and not to refute them by giving reasons, is to expose the church and the pope to the ridicule of their enemies, and to make Christian people unhappy.
91. If therefore, indulgences were preached in accordance with the spirit and mind of the pope, all these difficulties would be easily overcome, and indeed, cease to exist.
92. Away, then, with those prophets who say to Christ’s people, “Peace, peace,” where in there is no peace.
93. Hail, hail to all those prophets who say to Christ’s people, “The cross, the cross,” where there is no cross.
94. Christians should be exhorted to be zealous to follow Christ, their Head, through penalties, deaths, and hells.
95. And let them thus be more confident of entering heaven through many tribulations rather than through a false assurance of peace.
Saying “The cross, the cross,” where there is no cross. That’ll preach in America today.
Isn’t it odd that Luther began the Protestant Reformation by insisting on faith over good works, but that the Mainline Protestant churches have largely abandoned any doctrinal standards in favor of social action? I suppose one could argue that faith and doctrine are not the same thing, but …
No, I don’t think faith and doctrine are the same, but the doctrine is meant to help define the faith. As Paul said, the Gospel can’t be added to or taken from and still be the Gospel.
And as Luther said, Tidus is a “book of straw” and must be burned. (I point this out merely to be irritating.)
I love the last thesis: “And let them thus be more confident of entering heaven through many tribulations rather than through a false assurance of peace.” Really, I think it’s one of the reasons I so love Luther–for all his theology and loudness, he never ceased to struggle in his journey towards heaven.
Robert: That was James that Luther called a book of straw. And he never said to burn it.