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Martin Luther - Lesson 20

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Luther for Evangelicals

Martin Luther's writings can encourage people to pursue their relationship with God on a deeper level.

Gordon Isaac
Gordon Isaac
Martin Luther
Lesson 20
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Luther for Evangelicals

Luther for Evangelicals

Luther, the Pastor: 2 Kings 15:16

 

Luther as a Word event- The spoken word not only describes reality but it also shapes reality.

The theology of the cross transforms the landscape of the age.

 

I. We began our class with some thoughts entitled "About Reading Luther."

A. McGrath's vision of evangelicalism

1. Reformation thought

2. Puritanism

3. Pietism

B. Evangelicalism's actual regarding appropriation

C. Mark Noll's suggestion regarding Luther's utility - Article in First Things in 1994

1. Doctrine of the church

2. Augustinian view of human nature

3. Objectivity of salvation

4. Voice of Luther

 

II. The State of Evangelicalism

A. Revisioning evangelical theology - Stanley Grenz

Modernist approach to theology is now no longer an adequate approach, therefore, theology should be a practical in terms for today in contextual terms.

B. Donald Bloesh

C. How far have we come?

 

III. Where Luther can be helpful to us

A. Luther needs to be at the table - a partner in dialogue

Incredible classic texts

1. "Freedom of a Christian"

2. "Bondage of the Will"

B. Luther's non-speculative theology

1. Fundamentalist vs. Modernist led to apologetics that place us under scientific model and now this paradigm of modernity is shaken.

2. Proclamation is different than explanation.

C. Luther's theology of the cross

We as evangelicals have been willing to operate on a power paradigm and business strategies contrasts Luther's focus on hearing the Word and being changed by it.

D. Luther's drive to preaching.

1. Theology is 2nd order discourse, a talking about God.

2. Luther's method drives towards proclamation embedded in the theology of the cross.

E. Luther's nose for the gospel

F. Luther's concern for the church

1. Church is not just another reform.

2. In and with the Church is the word of salvation.

3. "We are beggars as that is the truth."


All Lessons
About
  • 1. Introduction to Martin Luther

    Introduction to the life and theology of Martin Luther.

  • 2. About Reading Luther

    Luther expressed his views in a way that was shaped by his theology and the culture.

  • 3. His Life and Times

    Martin Luther was born in Germany in the late 15th century, just after Guttenberg developed his printing press.

  • 4. The 95 Theses

    When Martin Luther posted the 95 theses, his intention was to discuss and debate the misuse of indulgences, but it was interpreted by the church heirarchy as an attack on the power of the papacy.

  • 5. The Task of Theology

    Luther's writings demonstrate his ability to understand and articulate issues that are at the core of the nature of God and man. His theology is distinct from philosophy and consists of many comments on passages in Psalms and Romans.

  • 6. The Freedom of a Christian

    Faith alone justifies. By faith the Christian is made to love God, therefore a person does good works because they cannot remain idle.

  • 7. Luther's Theology of the Cross

    The work of Christ when he allowed himself to be crucified on the cross, teaches us about God's nature, our nature and our relationship to God.

  • 8. Luther's Approach to Scripture

    Luther's fourfold sense of scripture focused on historical (literal), allegorical (figurative), tropological (moral), and anagogic (future).

  • 9. Christ and the Atonement

    Luther's view of the atonement differs from classical views taught during his time and view held by the scholastic tradition.

  • 10. Justification by Faith

    Luther's teaching on justification by faith is central to his theology.

  • 11. The Bondage of the Will

    Theology of the cross assumes bondage and moves to freedom.

  • 12. Luther on Predestination

    Four positions on predestination include the Calvinist, neo-Protestant, intuitu fidei, and Gnesio-Lutherans.

  • 13. Luther on Law and Gospel

    Luther's commentary on Galatians is an attempt to set "Law" in its proper setting.

  • 14. The Promise of the Sacraments

    The sacraments are an external expression of an internal reality.

  • 15. Luther on Baptism

    Luther's teachings on the importance of baptism and arguments for infant baptism.

  • 16. Luther on Christ's Supper

    Luther's view of the theological and personal significance of the Lord's Supper.

  • 17. Luther's Doctrine of the Two Kingdoms

    The kingdom of God and secular government have areas of unity and areas of differences.

  • 18. Luther's View of the Church

    Luther gives a definition of the church and describes characteristics of the church.

  • 19. Luther and the Small Catechism

    Luther developed a catechism to help people focus on the foundational beliefs of the Christian faith.

  • 20. Luther for Evangelicals

    Martin Luther's writings can encourage people to pursue their relationship with God on a deeper level.

This course is an introduction to the life and writings of the great German reformer, Martin Luther. There are 20 lectures totaling approximately 18 hours. These lectures were given at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts.