Bondage of the will

Luther thinks that men are so bad and therefore not capable of "... free choice for the good" (182). I agree with this point of Luther's. I think that man is totally depraved so it's not that we can't choose God, it's that we won't. This speaks to the fact that we are given the power to choose God, by God. But aside from an act of God inside of us we won't choose Him because we are totally depraved and innately bent towards ourselves and sin.

I commented on Sierra's and Darby's!

The Validity of Luther's Opinions on Peasants and Rulers

"Since the peasants, then, have brought both God and man down upon them and are already so many times guilty of death in body and soul, since they submit to no court and wait for no verdict but only rage on, I must instruct the worldly governors how they are to act in the matter with a clear conscience."
I think this is a pivotal statement made in Luther's "Against the Robbing and Murdering
Hordes of Peasants" because it goes to show that he wasn't just making these speculations because he disagreed with the peasants reactions to the government, but rather that he found it quite necessary to approach a topic that was easily avoidable as a Christian who values both life and holy justice. Where do you draw the lines when ruler-ship is God-ordained and human free-will is also God-breathed?

I commented on Ethan's and Natalie's.

Peasants

Luther writes against the peasants because they have committed three "terrible sins against God". First, they are not submissive to their rulers like Christ commands. Luther says they have "forfeited" their "body and soul" by bringing violence against those above them. Secondly, they rebel and rob monasteries and castles. I found it interesting that nothing is "more poisonous, hurtful or devilish than a rebel". They start a chain reaction of trouble that keeps producing. Luther compares a rebel to a dog with rabies. A rebel, if you do not kill him, will kill you. Thirdly, they are blasphemers. They are like a wolf in disguise claiming to be Christian, and earning "death in body and soul ten times over". I am not sure of the history of what is going on when Luther is writing, but he clearly states that he is not judging them. This is a matter that needs to be brought to light, and how to approach this situation with the "devil's"work going on.

I commented on Ethan and Darby's.

Luther Over-reacting

I read "Luther on Translating" and noticed that while he brings up some points about proper translation to German, he constantly insults the original translators, which I believe is Luther to be over-reacting and looking down upon others for a simple mistake. I think it's best to remember that we are all human, and that if we want people to take our advice, we should not demean and insult them.

I commented on Ethan's and Darby's posts.

Cast Off Worry

“I have a better worrier than you and all the angels. He lies in a cradle and clings to a virgin’s breast, and yet he is at the same time seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. Therefore, be satisfied. Amen.” (Luther 106)

I can really relate to Catherine Luther. She is in a state of worry and fear. This seems so reasonable, to worry for your husband’s health. There are so many fears that I harbor in my mind that seem completely reasonable- school, finances, jobs, etc. Luther’s letter really served as a reminder to me. There is nothing that worrying does to fix any of my problems. In fact, worrying displays a severe lack of faith. Here at the end of the semester, I truly find myself in a state of needing to trust God so much more than I usually do. I pray, as Luther did, that I can remember Christ and trust rather than worry and stress about the things that are out of my control while faithfully stewarding the things that are.

I commented on Sierra and Alex's posts. 

To Kill a Peasant

Reading through "Against the Robbing and Murdering Hordes of Peasants" by Martin Luther, I was surprised how quickly Martin Luther brought up wanting to put the Peasants to death. I understand the crimes they have committed, although I am not sure if immediate execution is always a great route to take. Luther also seemed very okay with calling everyone out to take action, and it seems that he wasn't exactly going to jump to fight himself though. This guy can have some good moments, but also some bad, I've gotta say. Although people do commit horrible crimes, there should at least be some type of attempt to bring them back. Of course Hebrews says that it is impossible for someone to truly experience God, the Holy Spirit, and the joy of the Word, and then fall away, and return. Im not 100% up to speed with the state of the peasants, other than they do in delusion call themselves Christian brethren will committing their crimes and sins. I think thats a great representation of how we sometimes live in sin and almost deceive ourselves into thinking we are fine and not in disobedience to God. Very convicting, although I'm not sure if that was the intent of the writing. LAST BLOG yeah.

P.S. I commented on Darby's and Sierra's posts.

Bondage of the Will

Referring to the topic of conversation from class last Thursday, I think it is good and interesting to challenge ourselves with knowing doctrine, but we also just need to remember a few things while discussing doctrines and Calvinism. First, we need to never hold tighter to doctrine than we do to scripture. Yes, Calvinism's Five Points (TULIP) are interesting to argue and help put ideas in perspective, BUT Scripture remains the ultimate authority. We get our doctrine from Scripture, not the other way around. Another thing we must remember is that before we start discussing the huge, contradictory questions about the specifics of our faith, I think it is crucial that we are grounded on the basic understandings of what we believe. Then we can explore more. I am all for learning about doctrine and stretching to see what I believe to be true, so this is awesome. 

Regarding Luther’s Bondage of the Will, I appreciate his comment when he says, “as for people who read without the Spirit, it is no wonder if they are shaken like a reed by every wind” (175). I agree with this claim that we need the Spirit. A role of the Holy Spirit is to bring understanding and wisdom, so how can we expect to understand God’s word without guidance from His Spirit?

I commented on Darby and Natalie’s!

The Bondage of the Will

In Luther's, The Bondage of the Will, his main argument seems to be that man is in total depravity for life. He thinks that men are so bad and therefore not capable of "... free choice for the good" (182). His thought processes towards mankind remains in the total depravity category of Calvin's 5 points of Calvinism. While I am still confused about free will in general and God's sovereign elect, I don't think that Luther is right when he says that man cannot choose rightly when given the option of free will and free choice. If God extends his grace and his love upon us, He intercedes in our lives therefore giving us the option to take and receive his love or reject it. I think I agree with the third tree (the trees Olsen drew on the board on Thursday), that God intercedes in our lives before we even have a chance to think about Him because He is God and if we are apart of His chosen elect, he would have to act in order for us to really think about Him.

I commented on Natalie's and Sierra's!!!