Reformation – approaches to the essential. Reflections about the fundaments of Christian faith Cover Image

Reformatio – Annäherung and das Wesentliche. Überlegungen zu den Grundfesten christlichen Glaubens
Reformation – approaches to the essential. Reflections about the fundaments of Christian faith

Author(s): Wilhelm Schwendemann
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Theology and Religion, Systematic Theology, Pastoral Theology
Published by: Wydawnictwo Naukowe ChAT
Keywords: Martin Luther; protestant reformer; justified godless sinner; free from sin; free to serve the neighbour

Summary/Abstract: Martin Luther considered it to be of particular importance that the sinner is justified by God’s acceptance and grace. He supposed that this frees people from sin and also serve their neighbours. People are enabled to do deeds as a consequence of their Christian faith but not as a premise for their faith. Christian freedom should be lived and exercised in social and personal relationships based on an inner attitude of gifted freedom and not be motivated by the wish to placate God or other persons.This freeing concept of liberty of the Protestant Reformers contrasts strongly with the prevalent concept of today’s society, “which interprets freedom as a manifestation of human performance or activities toward self-realisation”. In contrast, freedom in Luther’s sense is closely related to caring for one’s neighbour. My personal freedom is only achieved with other people – uplifting relationships with others empower personal freedom.

  • Issue Year: 58/2016
  • Issue No: 4
  • Page Range: 545-582
  • Page Count: 38
  • Language: German