Martin Luther

Martin Luther (1483-1546)

Richard Rorty:

Theological/Philosophical progress results from the accidental coincidence of a private obsession with a public need.
Interesting philosophy/theology is rarely an examination of the pros and cons of a thesis. Usually it is, implicitly or explicitly, a contest between an entrenched vocabulary which has become a nuissance and a half-formed new vocabulary which vaguely promises new things.
It [theological/philosophical progress] is the product of their shared ability to appreciate the power of redescribing, the power of language to make new and different things possible and important.

Luther born to working class German family in 1483
Strict upbringing and education, with high expectations from his father
Went to college and law school, as a means of advancing socially and economically
While in college, Luther was exposed to various forms of popular piety: flagellants, monastic communities, Brethren of the Common Life, etc (leads some to speculate on existential/psychological struggle between Luther’s spiritual concerns and his father’s wishes)
When caught in lightning storm and "overwhelmed by the fear of death and hell", Luther promises St. Anne that he would become a monk
Luther’s private obsession with salvation leads him to monastery, which is the most trustworthy means of salvation offered by the Church
Monastery fails to provide Luther with assurance he seeks; instead, reinforces overwhelming fear of God as severe judge and overwhelming sense of his own sinfulness
Resources of Monastery:

Intended to provide assurance of God’s good will and mercy
For Luther, it led him deeper into introspection where he becomes more aware of the depth of his sin and his complete inability to overcome it

Mystical imperative essentially boiled down to loving God
For Luther, however, his fear of God prevented his love for God. Luther came to realize that he hated God for God's seemingly impossible demand for righteousness

Luther appointed as teacher of the Scriptures
Psalms: Luther finds consolation in notion that God shares in human suffering
Romans 1:17 – ‘the just shall live by faith’
Justice/Righteousness of God not based on human actions, but on the self-offering of God; i.e, God imputes his righteousness on those who live by faith
"Two Kinds of Righteousness"

ALIEN: Christ takes on our sin, suffers wrath for our skes, and dies in the place of humanity. Humans, on the other hand, receive Christ’s righteousness
PROPER: Human response of gratitude, e.g., love God and neighbor, slay the flesh
"Through the first [ALIEN] righteousness arises the voice of the bridegroom who says to the soul, ‘I am yours,’ but through the second [PROPER] comes the voice of the bride who answers, ‘I am yours.’"
Luther: "I felt that I had been born anew and that th gates of heaven had been opened. The whole of scripture gained a new meaning. And from that point, the phrase, ‘the justice of God’ no longer filled me with hatred, but rather became unspeakably sweet by virtue of a great love"

95 Thesis – October 31, 1517; Luther attacks the sale of indulgences and the theological presuppositions that grounds its practice
Diet of Augsburg – Luther claims that he will only recant if he is shown to be in opposition to scripture
Debate with John Eck @ Leipzig – Luther declares that the Council of Constance had erred in condemning Huss, that any Christian who had the support of scripture had more authority than all the Popes and Councils combined.
Diet of Worms – Luther: "Unless I am convinced by the testimony of Holy Scriptures or by evident reason—for I can believe neither the Pope nor councils alone, as it is clear that they have erred repeatedly and contradicted themselves—I consider myself convicted by the testimony of Holy Scripture, which is my basis,; my conscience is captive to the Word of God. Thus, I cannot and will not recant, b/c acting against one’s conscience is neither safe nor just. Here I stand; I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen."
The previous efforts at reform from the previous 150 years reached their culmination in Luther’s bold statement of defense against both the Pope and Emperor at the Diet of Worms
What is unmistakably implied by Luther’s appeal to Scripture is that the old entrenched vocabulary and structures of authority have gone wrong, and what is needed is a retuern to gospel as revealed in the Bible.

High-point of God’s self-revelation took place on the cross, an apparent defeat that reveals the magnitude of God’s love and good will
This implies that the things of this world are not necessarily as they appear
FAITH = Trust in God’s goodness in spite of appearances to the contrary
TRUTH = revealed in suffering and weakness

STATE = responsible for setting limits, restraining sin; should never infringe on Church matters
CHURCH = responsible for preserving and proclaiming the Gospel over which civil authorities have no control