Artos Academy | Paul Burges | Activity

Paul Burges replied to the discussion How should Christians proceed within the structure of their callings to make decisions on how to live out the will of God, according to Luther? in the forum Discussion Forum

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 06:24:35 -0400

Reply to How should Christians proceed within the structure of their callings to make decisions on how to live out the will of God, according to Luther?

Luther recognised that God had structured human life in every day situations to what he called offices (response-abilities.) God so structured human life that we respond to the needs of others.

These are role functions like spouse, child, parent, employer, employee, 16th century ruler or subject, today – citizen and neighbour, pastor,…

Paul Burges replied to the discussion Summarize Luther’s advancing critique of the papacy in the years following the publication of the 95 Theses. in the forum Discussion Forum

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 05:52:01 -0400

Reply to Summarize Luther’s advancing critique of the papacy in the years following the publication of the 95 Theses.

At the end of October 1517 is labeled the period of protest. A protest against the papal role in the indulgence sale.. The papacy was theatening him and papal theologians did not want to listen to him. They wanted Luther to recant what he was saying. 1519 Luther moved to challenge the papacy. He appealed to a general council of the church.…

Paul Burges replied to the discussion Summarize Luther’s understanding of the Real Presence of Christ’s body and blood in the Lord’s Supper. Why was the Real Presence so important for him? How does it fit in with his entire understanding of the nature of the Word of God? in the forum Discussion Forum

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 09:30:50 -0400

Reply to Summarize Luther’s understanding of the Real Presence of Christ’s body and blood in the Lord’s Supper. Why was the Real Presence so important for him? How does it fit in with his entire understanding of the nature of the Word of God?

Jesus Christ in His body and blood are really present in the Lord’s Supper. It is a real presence, a sacramental presence, a mysterious presence. He rejected Aristotelian physics partly because people did not understand it so it did not help them. It was better to leave it to a mystery of Jesus’ presence through His word. Jesus’ body and blood…

Paul Burges replied to the discussion Why did Luther believe it so important to practice infant baptism? in the forum Discussion Forum

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 08:50:33 -0400

Reply to Why did Luther believe it so important to practice infant baptism?

Luther believed infant baptisim was important because if concious adults’ hearts could be changed by the word, so an infants heart could be changed whatever its psychological state. John the Baptist leapt in his mother’s womb, a sign that even in the womb there was a possibility of a human reponse. Luther also believed that God responds to…

Paul Burges replied to the discussion How does Luther’s definition of “sacrament” fit into his understanding of the nature of God’s Word? in the forum Discussion Forum

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 07:51:59 -0500

Reply to How does Luther’s definition of “sacrament” fit into his understanding of the nature of God’s Word?

Sacraments were important in a non-literate world. Most people could not read, so they were dependent on hearing the word. Also preaching was not so common at that time. The medieval church had a problem with visible forms of the word. An ex opere operato view of sacraments developed. This meant the word works because it is the word of God:…

Paul Burges replied to the discussion What does the Christological focus, or the establishment of the proper distinction between law and gospel, mean for the use of the Scripture in the life of the church, if Luther’s exegetical method is to be followed? in the forum Discussion Forum

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 06:31:08 -0500

Reply to What does the Christological focus, or the establishment of the proper distinction between law and gospel, mean for the use of the Scripture in the life of the church, if Luther’s exegetical method is to be followed?

Luther emphasised that preachers need to think about law and Gospel. Law terrifies the conscience, but the Gospel consoles, builds up and heals consciences. Law demands, accuses, condemns, brings death; the Gospel bestows, promises and gives life. Law demands a pure heart, complete obedience and evaluates human performance. The Gospel accepts…

Paul Burges replied to the discussion Describe Luther’s approach to the Scripture, particularly on the basis of his treatment of the Old Testament. in the forum Discussion Forum

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 05:13:57 -0500

Reply to Describe Luther’s approach to the Scripture, particularly on the basis of his treatment of the Old Testament.

Lutherr believed that the second person of the Trinity was active in all the activities of the Godhead. He believed that the pre-incarate Christ made personal appearances in the Old Testament e.g. to Abraham. He recognised a difference between historical meaning and prophetic meaning looking forward to Christ. He thought Psalm 111 could be…

Paul Burges replied to the discussion Assess Luther’s contributions to the Western Church’s exegetical method and approach. in the forum Discussion Forum

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 04:46:41 -0500

Reply to Assess Luther’s contributions to the Western Church’s exegetical method and approach.

During the 1510s Luther came to reject allegorical, doctrinal, tropological or moral, anagogical or eschatological approach to interpretation of biblical texts. He did not cast these off totally as his preaching could include allegory, but generally he abandoned the allegorical method, and he insisted on interpreting the text on the basis of…

Paul Burges replied to the discussion Why, for Luther, did the Scripture have to authenticate itself? in the forum Discussion Forum

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 14:38:33 -0500

Reply to Why, for Luther, did the Scripture have to authenticate itself?

Authentication revolved around the centre
point of God’s revelation in the Scripture of Jesus Christ. Scripture is not its own
witness or focusing on itself, nor on its own nature, instead it focuses on Christ, This convinces the reader of its reliability and truth. God reveals Himself in the pages. Luther rejected the papal claim that…

Paul Burges replied to the discussion Why, for Luther, did the Scripture have to authenticate itself? in the forum Discussion Forum

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 14:13:28 -0500

Reply to Why, for Luther, did the Scripture have to authenticate itself?

Selfauthentication reveoved around the centre point of God’s revelation in the Scripture.Scripture is not its own witness but on its own nature, instead focuses on

Paul Burges replied to the discussion What role did the Scripture and the study of Scripture play in Luther’s life and career? in the forum Discussion Forum

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 09:41:05 -0500

Reply to What role did the Scripture and the study of Scripture play in Luther’s life and career?

Scripture was engaged in the whole of Luther’s career.

At school he learnt Scritures by heart: a basic medieval catechism, the Lord’s Prayer and the Ten Commandments, liturgies and memorized psalms. At secondary level he heard pericopes (appointed lessons for each Sunday and and the churcch year).

At the University of Erfurt he heard Bible…

Paul Burges replied to the discussion For Luther, what was the relationship between the Holy Spirit’s role and the human authors’ role in the creation of the Scripture’s text? in the forum Discussion Forum

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 09:00:02 -0500

Reply to For Luther, what was the relationship between the Holy Spirit’s role and the human authors’ role in the creation of the Scripture’s text?

Luther believed that the Scripture was God’s word in human language. He believed it was human language but also authoriative through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was there, present in the words. This he believed e.g. had happened through Moses in the Old Testament. Luther also recognised that humans had written the Scriptures, using…

Paul Burges replied to the discussion Explain the significance for his view of Scripture of Luther’s opinions on the Epistle of James and the Epistle to the Hebrews. in the forum Discussion Forum

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 08:29:30 -0500

Reply to Explain the significance for his view of Scripture of Luther’s opinions on the Epistle of James and the Epistle to the Hebrews.

Luther believed that James was not an inspired book of the Holy Spirit as were books like Romans or Galatians. He described it as an ‘epistle of staw’. He claimed it was not an apostolic writing, and nor was James an apostle. This was because he thought it focused too much on good works and there was a lack of passion for Christ. He thought…

Paul Burges replied to the discussion What is the significance of the various forms which, according to Luther, the Word takes in the church? in the forum Discussion Forum

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 06:55:47 -0500

Reply to What is the significance of the various forms which, according to Luther, the Word takes in the church?

Five forms were mentioned in the Luther’s Smalcald Articles:

Oral word preached for the forgiveness of sins

The sacraments

Baptism

The sacrament of the altar

Confession

Absolution

The power of the keys – Power to retain and remit sins

Mutual conversation of Christians one to another

The Word must have been introduced into the church expressed into each…

Paul Burges replied to the discussion What is the difference between Luther’s understanding of God’s Word and that of other Christian theologians? in the forum Discussion Forum

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 08:06:16 -0500

Reply to What is the difference between Luther’s understanding of God’s Word and that of other Christian theologians?

Luther’s concept of the Word of God was that it was God’s instrument of power in created form. The language of the Gospel as in Romans 1:16. Luther saw the Gospel as the language of God in action, not mystic abstract ideas. This rejected Platonic spiritualism. He saw the Gospel as the power to change lives and it spoke out into all of creation…

Paul Burges replied to the discussion Is it true that the power of God’s Word is fundamental to Luther’s understanding of reality? If so, what is the significance of that for the life of the church? in the forum Discussion Forum

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 07:48:51 -0500

Reply to Is it true that the power of God’s Word is fundamental to Luther’s understanding of reality? If so, what is the significance of that for the life of the church?

Through the Ockhamists, Luther took the material creation of God very seriously. It was not grand ideas of the divine mind but that reality lay in individual creatures of God and in individual actions of God where He reveals Himself. Luther therefore could believe that God would reveal Himself through material things. Through language,…

Paul Burges replied to the discussion Why was the “external Word,” as oral pronouncement and as written inspired Scripture, so important for Luther? in the forum Discussion Forum

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 06:58:02 -0500

Reply to Why was the “external Word,” as oral pronouncement and as written inspired Scripture, so important for Luther?

Although the Word was written down in the Old Testament and the New Testament, Luther believeved in the message of the Holy spirit working in a mysterious direct fashion; it was made flesh when Jesus proclaimed it. God wanted to restore His word as was in the first place in Eden. God also wanted to restore life, so Luther saw as important…

Paul Burges replied to the discussion How does Luther’s understanding of God’s Word express itself in his distinction of law and gospel? in the forum Discussion Forum

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 06:39:58 -0500

Reply to How does Luther’s understanding of God’s Word express itself in his distinction of law and gospel?

The Word of God comes to kill us as sinners. A work God doesn’t want to do this but sinners have revolted against God and so have earned the wages of death. The law therefore comes to crush those who reject it.

The work of the gospel however, has come to recreate through the word of Christ through forgiveness of sins. This brings…

Paul Burges replied to the discussion Why is faith so important for Luther’s understanding of the justification of the sinner in the sight of God? in the forum Discussion Forum

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 04:47:18 -0500

Reply to Why is faith so important for Luther’s understanding of the justification of the sinner in the sight of God?

The heart itself does not produce faith, faith is the working of the Holy Spirit. When we respond to God with a trust that accepts Him as Lord and Saviour, our hearts respond to His acceptance of us. Luther scholars talk about we saved by faith or through faith. It seems to be both. Faith is the corn stalk that absorbs grace (water);…

Paul Burges replied to the discussion What is the practical significance of Luther’s observation that believers are "simul justus et peccator"? in the forum Discussion Forum

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 04:28:20 -0500

Reply to What is the practical significance of Luther’s observation that believers are "simul justus et peccator"?

Luther’s understanding of Law and gospel is summed up in the Latin phrase ‘Simul Justus et Peccator.’

This means we we are both ‘righeous’ and ‘sinful’ at the same time – a righteous person in the sight of God but well aware of their sinfulness. Luther was a tormented soul, as was David over Bathshebia, Paul in Romans 7 in daily struggle with…

Paul Burges replied to the discussion What does it mean that for Luther justification was the action of the Word of God? in the forum Discussion Forum

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 04:15:13 -0500

Reply to What does it mean that for Luther justification was the action of the Word of God?

For medieval theology , to justify meant ‘to make righteous.’ ‘to make the human creature the sinner, capable of doing righteous deeds.’ Luther defined it as justication as ‘the action of the Word of God.’

Making the human creature function as the human creature was designed to function, keeping all the ten commandments, as an example. This…

Paul Burges replied to the discussion On what does Christian assurance of justification rest, for Luther? in the forum Discussion Forum

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 04:01:22 -0500

Reply to On what does Christian assurance of justification rest, for Luther?

This rested on the assurance of:

In the promise of God through the means of grace, through the promise of the Word of God. Through baptism he saw himself as His child in new birth. Absolution, the forgiveness of sins

Assuance of incarnation. He was convinced God did not send His son in vain. Lauther taught Christ died for all, a…

Paul Burges replied to the discussion How did Luther’s presupposition of the proper distinction of law and gospel influence his commentary on the epistle to the Galatians? in the forum Discussion Forum

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 05:36:56 -0400

Reply to How did Luther’s presupposition of the proper distinction of law and gospel influence his commentary on the epistle to the Galatians?

Luther saw the Law as the enemy of the Christian and from it comes knowledge of sin. From the knowledge of sin, we recognize the threat of death; this threat imposed by God. The Law is a measure of our sin and how much we have fallen, but not life-giving. The Law accuses us of being the people that God wants us not to be. Luther saw Galatians…

Paul Burges replied to the discussion Explain Luther’s terms “the magnificent duel” and “the joyous exchange.” in the forum Discussion Forum

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 05:14:42 -0400

Reply to Explain Luther’s terms “the magnificent duel” and “the joyous exchange.”

The magnificent duel: The duel between Christ on one hand and either Satan or our sin or even the Law on the other. Jesus was looked on as a gobbled up death, or Jesus ‘upswallowed death’. Death is gone, death is only a form,. Jesus submitted to death and swallowed death up so it can threaten us no more.

He took sin on Himself; sin accused…

Paul Burges replied to the discussion How did Luther understand the communication of the attributes of Christ’s two natures? in the forum Discussion Forum

Sat, 20 Sep 2025 06:00:44 -0400

Reply to How did Luther understand the communication of the attributes of Christ’s two natures?

Luther saw this to secure salavtion. He knew God was the divine nature, but he wanted to link this to the human, so as to save us. . The two natures divine and human meant the troubled consciences could have the power of God for salavtion and place their sins and afflications at Jesus’ feet.

Paul Burges replied to the discussion How did Luther’s understanding of the person of Christ shape and reflect itself in his treatment of Isaiah 53? in the forum Discussion Forum

Sat, 20 Sep 2025 05:50:27 -0400

Reply to How did Luther’s understanding of the person of Christ shape and reflect itself in his treatment of Isaiah 53?

Luther saw Jesus in Isaiah 53 as the the paradox of the king as servant and the servant as king. Not just at his resurrection but his whole life was a sacrifice. Even now He is mediating for us at the right hand of God. He took on our humanity, although He did not sin. Jesus is the shepherd and we are the sheep. We have gone astray. Luther…

Paul Burges replied to the discussion What is the significance of Luther’s taking the unity of the two natures in Christ as his starting or anchor point for his Christology? in the forum Discussion Forum

Sat, 20 Sep 2025 05:26:26 -0400

Reply to What is the significance of Luther’s taking the unity of the two natures in Christ as his starting or anchor point for his Christology?

Based on the book of John, Jesus came in human flesh and was God and that resulted in salvation for us. God came for us, God is looking for us in our fallen condition. All this was based on the bible.

Paul Burges replied to the discussion Summarize Luther’s understanding of the person of Jesus Christ. in the forum Discussion Forum

Sat, 20 Sep 2025 05:11:50 -0400

Reply to Summarize Luther’s understanding of the person of Jesus Christ.

Luther saw Jesus Christ as true God, fully equal in majesty with the Father and the Holy Spirit. He is as they ceator and preserver; he is the eternally begotten second person of the holy Trinity.

Paul Burges replied to the discussion Evaluate Luther’s rejection of every attempt at theodicy. in the forum Discussion Forum

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 12:30:59 -0400

Reply to Evaluate Luther’s rejection of every attempt at theodicy.

Luther beieved that his Doctrine of Evil should remain a mystery. He didn’t want to try and resolve why some people were saved and others not. He did not want to try to rise above biblical writers. By trying to explain evil he thought, you deny the complete goodness of God and end up with a smaller picture of Him.

Paul Burges replied to the discussion Compare and contrast Erasmus and Luther on the subject of the nature of the theological task. in the forum Discussion Forum

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 06:17:41 -0400

Reply to Compare and contrast Erasmus and Luther on the subject of the nature of the theological task.

Erasmus confessed his whole theology on a kind of existential confession based on biblical text, on his understanding of who Jesus Christ is and what Jesus Christ means for the fallen creature. As Aarne Siirala said, ‘the character of divine authority in human life.’ According to Siirala, Erasmus longed for the traditional teaching authority…

Paul Burges replied to the discussion Compare and contrast Erasmus and Luther on the subject of the bondage or freedom of the will. in the forum Discussion Forum

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 05:49:56 -0400

Reply to Compare and contrast Erasmus and Luther on the subject of the bondage or freedom of the will.

Erasmus saw free will as a help to doing good which is what he thought the church needed.

Luther claimed we are under the bondage of evil which we cannot set ourselves free from. When the gospel of Jesus Christ is preached and is taken in by us, we are set free by the gift of salvation and start to live by grace.

Paul Burges replied to the discussion What is the significance of Luther’s understanding of “civic righteousness”? How does it fit in with his presupposition concerning the distinction of the two kinds of righteousness? in the forum Discussion Forum

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 03:45:16 -0400

Reply to What is the significance of Luther’s understanding of “civic righteousness”? How does it fit in with his presupposition concerning the distinction of the two kinds of righteousness?

Non-belivers could be capable of civil righteoousness by following the law of society, externally following the Law of God. Luther saw this as good, being in the horizontal realm with God. To love your neighbour, to build a good society, preserve the city of human creatures, but it was flawed, because it did not recognise the…

Paul Burges replied to the discussion Is it true or false that Luther deprecates humanity? Why do some hold that view and others reject it? in the forum Discussion Forum

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 03:28:28 -0400

Reply to Is it true or false that Luther deprecates humanity? Why do some hold that view and others reject it?

Luther saw humanity as a hopeless case. That we are robbers of God. Our despairing concience defends ourselves against God. We flee to the devil rather than God. We choose the devil rather than God. From this point of view, Luther depreciates humanity.

Some consider this theology too extreme. Reinhold Seeberg wrote, ‘Luther’s devil has more…

Paul Burges replied to the discussion How did Luther define the image of God in the human creature? in the forum Discussion Forum

Sat, 09 Aug 2025 03:46:03 -0400

Reply to How did Luther define the image of God in the human creature?

The relationship with God, which was totally lost by those in sin. God provided for the human ceature in special ways, and gave the human creature a special relationship with Himself. Before the fall this was contentment with God’s favour, harmonny and peace. After the fall this image was badly damaged. The exercise of power of dominion was…

Paul Burges replied to the discussion For Luther, in what does the Fall into sin consist? Or, for Luther, what is original sin? in the forum Discussion Forum

Sat, 09 Aug 2025 03:34:08 -0400

Reply to For Luther, in what does the Fall into sin consist? Or, for Luther, what is original sin?

In Eden, Adam and Eve reorientated their lives away from the critical vertical relationship, key to humanity they went from life into death, by separating themselves from the Author of life, Yahweh Himself. This caused Luther to doubt God and His Word, a break in the vertical realtionship, leading not to peace but fear.

Paul Burges replied to the discussion What is the role of faith or trust in understanding the function of the First Commandment in the Christian life? in the forum Discussion Forum

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 05:02:32 -0400

Reply to What is the role of faith or trust in understanding the function of the First Commandment in the Christian life?

If your faith and trust are right, then your god is the true God. If your trust is false and wrong, then you do not have the true God. Trust and God belong together. ‘That which your heart clings and entrusts itself is, I say, really your god.’ Where your treasure is, so there is your heart (Math 6:31).

Paul Burges replied to the discussion In Luther’s analysis, is the First Commandment law or gospel? What are the implications of this for the shape of his entire theology? in the forum Discussion Forum

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 04:52:45 -0400

Reply to In Luther’s analysis, is the First Commandment law or gospel? What are the implications of this for the shape of his entire theology?

Luther saw the First Commandment as both law and gospel. It demands and crushes us as law, but it is also gospel that it is the good news, God is our father, Protector, Provider, Lord and Saviour.

Paul Burges replied to the discussion How does the First Commandment function for Luther as a gift? How does it function as a demand? in the forum Discussion Forum

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 04:45:47 -0400

Reply to How does the First Commandment function for Luther as a gift? How does it function as a demand?

Demand: It puts a burden on us, accuses and crushes us. If we do ot do it, we will be lost. We are not living life to the full

Gift: God simply gives his grace, God wants to favour us with His steadfast lovingkindness. He commands without asking, ‘have no other Gods before me.’ Our parents had us without any terms, they just had us, so God wants…

Paul Burges replied to the discussion What is the essence of Luther’s distinction between the two kinds of righteousness? What are the implications of this distinction for various doctrines, e.g., sin, justification, sanctification? in the forum Discussion Forum

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 04:21:07 -0400

Reply to What is the essence of Luther’s distinction between the two kinds of righteousness? What are the implications of this distinction for various doctrines, e.g., sin, justification, sanctification?

Luther recognised two forms of righteousness: active and passive

Active based on the Law, political and civil. Our human performance in society. A horizontal realtionship.

Passive based on God’s grace, love, favour, salvation, something we cannot earn but receive from God. A vertical rlationship.

Paul Burges replied to the discussion How is Luther’s distinction of the two realms supposed to function in the ongoing life of the church and of the individual believer? in the forum Discussion Forum

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 04:02:00 -0400

Reply to How is Luther’s distinction of the two realms supposed to function in the ongoing life of the church and of the individual believer?

Left hand: Earthly government where God speaks the word of Law, order in our society, our works, we serve eachother, cook for our family, bake, pay taxes, rule, look after eachother

Right hand: Vertical relationship, the heavely realm, God’s kingdom, God’s gospel to us, our relationship with God, where we respond in faith and trust

Paul Burges replied to the discussion How is Luther’s distinction of law and gospel supposed to function in the ongoing life of the church and of the individual believer? in the forum Discussion Forum

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 03:54:09 -0400

Reply to How is Luther’s distinction of law and gospel supposed to function in the ongoing life of the church and of the individual believer?

A person relying on his own works, is not interested in any gift from God. They do not need it. A person needs to be confronted by the law, terrrified by their sin, thirsting for comfort, then the gospel comes. The good news of Jesus Christ gives us life. God chose us as His children. This comes after we have had an aencounter with the Law.,…

Paul Burges replied to the discussion What is the difference between the concept of the Christian life in Luther’s theology of the cross and traditional concepts of the Christian way of living? in the forum Discussion Forum

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 08:28:01 -0400

Reply to What is the difference between the concept of the Christian life in Luther’s theology of the cross and traditional concepts of the Christian way of living?

Luther’s idea was life under the cross, Mathew 16, We ‘take up our crosses’ and follow our Lord.’ Luther taught , we live out a life as it must be lived if the good and gracious will of our heavenly Father is to triumph over evil. Neither our possession of blessing not our possession of the cross, determines whether we are in God’s favour.…

Paul Burges replied to the discussion What is the difference between the concept of the atonement in Luther’s theology of the cross and traditional concepts of atonement? in the forum Discussion Forum

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 08:00:19 -0400

Reply to What is the difference between the concept of the atonement in Luther’s theology of the cross and traditional concepts of atonement?

Life is restored to sinful human creatures who as are dead in trespasses and sin, only because God exchanged our sinfulness for Christ’s righteousness. Christ died for our sins on His back. Luther said, ‘In Jesus, wrong is made right, death is left behind for life’ because God has His own peculiar way of doing things. Christinas should not…

Paul Burges replied to the discussion What is the difference between the concept of God’s revelation of Himself in Luther’s theology of the cross and the traditional concept of revelation? in the forum Discussion Forum

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 07:34:33 -0400

Reply to What is the difference between the concept of God’s revelation of Himself in Luther’s theology of the cross and the traditional concept of revelation?

The traditional concept of revelation was based on empirical proofs or logical reasoning. Luther saw God as being in control, also of our access to His word, by our eyes and ears. The human heart responds to this. So God revealed Himself through a promise through His Word, relying on His ‘foolish and weak’ approach to us in the suffering and…

Paul Burges replied to the discussion Summarize what Luther meant by the “theology of glory” of the late medieval church. in the forum Discussion Forum

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 03:46:12 -0400

Reply to Summarize what Luther meant by the “theology of glory” of the late medieval church.

1) Glory of scholasticism, glory of human reasoning and of human logical proof. In the 1510s Luther recognised the influence of Aristotelian metaphysics had misshaped the bible message. luther revolted against the glory of human reason.

2) Glory of human effort, the glory of human works. This failed for Luther and drew him more deeply into…

Paul Burges replied to the discussion Assess the nature and relative importance of the four positive factors in Luther’s “evangelical breakthrough.” in the forum Discussion Forum

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 16:37:17 -0400

Reply to Assess the nature and relative importance of the four positive factors in Luther’s “evangelical breakthrough.”

1) Johann von Staupitz – God elected or chose us, bringing us grace and salvation. Only in Christ’s sacrifice, death, and resuurection alone, could Luther find consolation.

2) Saint Augustine – God forgave sins according to grace alone.

3) Mystics – Luther had on his conscience a mystic grasping of Christ’s help in bringing peace. Rather than…

Paul Burges replied to the discussion What is the historical reality behind the scholarly talk about Luther’s “Turmerlebnis”? in the forum Discussion Forum

Thu, 29 May 2025 18:13:08 -0400

Reply to What is the historical reality behind the scholarly talk about Luther’s “Turmerlebnis”?

Turmerlebnis or Tower Experience was at the Tower of Wittenberg of the Augustin monastery. It was the exact moment when Luther had his evangelical reformation breakthrough of understanding the grace of God. The exact date is difficult to define; different scholars giving between 1509 to 1519. From the lecturing of the Psalms in 1513 to 1519,…

Paul Burges replied to the discussion Assess the nature and relative importance of the two negative factors in Luther’s “evangelical breakthrough.” in the forum Discussion Forum

Thu, 29 May 2025 17:59:02 -0400

Reply to Assess the nature and relative importance of the two negative factors in Luther’s “evangelical breakthrough.”

1) The Ockhamist system: The teachings of Gabriel Biel; the theology of doing your best to gain grace. Luther felt he never got there. The Nominalist way of salvation, understanding of salvation; this collapsed under him.

2) Monasticism: Presenting yourself to God in a monastic way, who is angry with sinners. Again this did not work for him.

Paul Burges replied to the discussion What was the nature of the religious ferment at the end of the fifteenth century in German? in the forum Discussion Forum

Sun, 04 May 2025 07:17:13 -0400

Reply to What was the nature of the religious ferment at the end of the fifteenth century in German?

The turn of the 15th century brought in a movement of the Brethren of the Common Life in the Netherlands. It shed many superstitions, focusing less on ritual deeds of worship and more on deeds of love to the neighbour. Their personal piety, resignation in the hands of God influenced Luther at school at Magdeburg.

Other groups did not…

Paul Burges replied to the discussion What is the relative importance of popular belief and elite belief in the life of the church? in the forum Discussion Forum

Sun, 04 May 2025 06:58:00 -0400

Reply to What is the relative importance of popular belief and elite belief in the life of the church?

Elite belief: 16th century in print, formed by the educated class; exegesis was developed based on Greek philosophical traditions. Elite belief was preached to the people

Popular belief: Medieval popular belief systems such as ancient tribal belief systems were there before Christianity came and these had been continued

Insufficient…