The Freedom of a Christian - Essay Example

? The Freedom of A Christian Section Thesis ment This essay will review one of the Three Treatises by Martin Luther, d as ‘The Freedom of A Christian’ which is considered to be the final treatise in the collection. In this regard, the philosophy behind the article and the corresponding arguments presented in relation to the beliefs of Christianity will also be taken into concern. Section 2: Summary of the Authors Line of Thought Martin Luther in his treatise “The Freedom of the Christian” begins by making two inconsistent statements where he narrates that a Christian is not restricted from any external influences and is entitled to serve other community selflessly as a slave. It is quite interesting to take into consideration that a Christian is not only free but also a servant to the society as narrated by Luther. Luther further states that being the servant of the society it is significant to perform the good work that is vital to bind neighbour with neighbour facilitating peace within the community. In this context, it can be claimed that Luther contradicts himself by asserting that tasks or responsibilities bestowed are not needed for the purpose of good reason; however, it is important that a Christian needs to be both free and a servant. Stating precisely, he affirmed that until a person is servant to others he cannot be a Christian. Furthermore, to serve the society playing the role of a selfless and faithful servant, it is important to perform supportive and accountable responsibilities. Therefore, it can be affirmed that towards the end of the treatise, Luther’s position becomes similar to that of the Catholic position, since he also considers the responsibilities performed for the good of the society as an essential feature to be a Christian. Luther discusses that one particular thing which a person needs in life in order to become virtuous is the word of God, which he defines as Gospels. Luther also states that good work as well as good deeds is not so significant for an individual owing to the fact that they are external to the individual’s body. However, the author places greater emphasis upon faith and grace as they are related with the soul of the person and hence are attributed as internal. The author asserts that a person tends to build the quality of true faith from his devotion and accountability towards God which needs to be built internally rather than generating from external influences. At the end of the document the author unambiguously advocates that if God has failed to fill the individual’s soul with faith and grace, the nature is most likely to express disapproval of it. Section 3: Extended Analysis of the Document Martin Luther’s ‘Freedom of a Christian’ was first made available in the year 1520. It was considered as one of the important documents of the sixteenth-century, Protestant Reformation. In the present day context as well, his work remains one of the classic tracts of the Protestant culture. The book was written on the eve of Martin Luther’s excommunication from the Church, as his final ecumenical signal towards Rome prior to making his pretentious exit. The Tract was dedicated to Pope Leo X by Luther embellishing it with a strong preamble addressed to the ‘blessed father’. As can be observed, in the later pages of the ‘Freedom of a Christian’ Luther aimed at considering other people who were basically exaggerated because of their ostensible dignity from being respected as a Christian similar to his discussions in other tracts published in the year 1520. It can further be learnt that Luther’s ‘Freedom of a Christian’ became his bold new announcement on human character and human autonomy that aimed at describing all Christians irrespective of their degree of solemnity as being traditionally defined. The influence of then external environmental factors such as society, politics, and cultural values can also be apparently witnessed in the treatises, which were documented during an age featured by considerable changeovers from various perspectives being regarded as the era of renaissance. It was observed during this era that the Holy Roman Church was clasping because of its own institutional weight. On the other hand, various factors such as immorality of the clergy, economic oppression as well as evils of simony stimulated calls for reforms from the general public. Such a time of political and social restlessness embraced the idea outlined in Luther’s ‘Freedom of a Christian’. Hence, it can be affirmed that this is how the historical context of his work “Freedom of the Christians” tends to shed light on its meaning. It can be revealed that the era when Martin Luther became active as a theologist, was one of the most mesmerizing accounts in Christianity. It is found to possess all that relates to excellent novel, saintly anguish, life altering moments, popes, revotions, politics and many more. It was noted that when preparing for lectures during 1513, the author read two biblical passages that altered his life. The first passage was” My God, my God, why have you forsaken me”? The other passage that he read was “The just will live by faith”. In this regards, the author mediated on its meaning for several days and finally rested in the knowledge that faith was all that was required to prevent him from the influence of the Satan. Such interpretation on life must have led to his third treatises “Freedom of Christian” where he pays due emphasis upon faith. Taking into concern the then social scenario, i.e. the period of 1520s when the treatise was published, it can be affirmed that the most prominent audiences who motivated Luther in documenting his learning and perceptions were the governing or the law making bodies and perhaps their unjust practices to exaggerate the rudimental specifications of Christianity. However, from overall perspective, the treatise can be observed as targeted to the society and believers of Christianity at large. The document has been based upon theology presented in a comprehensive format making it easier for the readers to comprehend even a complex subject like this. The author intends to identify the supposition on the association between faith and the ultimate purpose of life of Christians. He intends to convey that Christian is both ‘a free lord’ who is further ‘subject to none’. His presupposition hence is that human nature can be parsed into flesh and spirit. He also presupposes that “Man has a twofold nature, a spiritual and a bodily one”. It can be mentioned in this regard that the author has been effective enough at offering various evidences and arguments in order to defend his thesis. Contextually, the principle of reformation and the principle of coherence have greatly impacted the reception of Luther around the world. The major theological controversy that Luther was involved in his treatise was related to role of law in influencing Christianity. His study was found to be quite influencing for the future theologists in the way that these controversies were most probable in the then prevailing religious and social scenario. The radical theory of clergy and laity of the person as well as society had greater implications for churches as well as states, concerning the temporal life as well as the spiritual life of a Christian. It was further identified that Luther’s reformers replaced the conventional idea of marriage as reparation with a new notion of marital household as a social estate where all the adults are free to enter which can be successfully practised in the near future. ‘Freedom of A Christian’ also laid basis for a new democratic theory. Several of his doctrinal importance is still practiced in the present day context. References Desiring God. (1982). The just shall live by faith. Retrieved from http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/the-just-shall-live-by-faith DurbinII, E. W. (2005). The freedom of Christian man. Retrieved from http://erniedurbin.com/Theology_files/The%20Freedom%20of%20a%20Christian%20Man.pdf Fordham University. (2010). Modern history sourcebook: Martin Luther: on the freedom of a Christian. Retrieved from http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/luther-freedomchristian.asp Hemler, C. (2009). Introduction to Luther’s theology in global context. Religion Compass 3. Luther, M. (1970). Three treaties. United States of America: Fortress. Luther, M. (1970). Martin Luther’s road to freedom. Retrieved from http://store.fortresspress.com/media/downloads/080066311XTranslatorsintroduction.pdf Mass, K. D. (2010). The place of repentance in Luther’s theological development. Retrieved from http://www.newreformationpress.com/freebies/Luther_on_Repentance.pdf Washer, P. (2008). The cross of Christ. Retrieved from http://www.turntogod.us/sermons/The_Cross_of_Christ-Paul_Washer.pdf Witte, J. (2005). The freedom of a Christian: Martin Luther’s reformation of law & liberty. Retrieved from http://cslr.law.emory.edu/fileadmin/media/PDFs/Lectures/Witte_Freedom_Christian.pdf Read More