"Doctrine and life are to be distinguished. Life is as bad among us as among the papists (Roman Catholic Church). Hence we do not fight and damn them because of their bad lives. Wyclif and Hus, who fought over the moral quality of life, failed to understand this...When the Word of God remains pure, even if the quality of life fails us, life is placed in a position to become what it ought to be. That is why everything hinges on the purity of the Word. I have succeeded only if I have taught correctly"
...Martin Luther.
What Luther means by this is that the very point of the doctrine of Justification by grace alone (the central doctrine of the reformation) is that discipleship is not dependent upon its results. The Christian was called to be faithful, not successful.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
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