Human Will in Bondage and Freedom, A Study in Luther's Distinction of Law and Gospel. (Part II.)

Authors

F. E. Mayer, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

Publication Date

11-1-1951

Document Type

Article

Keywords

law and gospel, sin, death, christian liberty, luther, bondage, devil, catechism, faith

Submission Type

Bible Study; Lecture; Sermon Prep

Abstract

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free" ( Gal. 5 :1 ). That is the sum and substance of St. Paul's letter to the Galatians. Christian liberty is Paul's one and only theme: the glorious liberty which has freed us from the tyrannical bondage under the Law, sin, death, the devil, and the wrath of God. This was also the heart and core of Luther's theology set forth in his Commentary on Galatians and especially in his treatise The Liberty of a Christian Man. The occasion for writing this tract is highly significant. The papal threat of excommunication had reached Wittenberg, October 3, 1520. Luther immediately dispatched a letter to Leo with the plea that the Pope should not heed the flattering counselors who had ill advised him.

Disciplines

Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion

Scripture References in this Resource (separated by semi-colons)

John 8:32, 36; Romans 6:18-23; John 8:31-36; Romans 7:3; Romans 8:2; Galatians 2:4; Galatians 4:21-31; Galatians 5:1; Romans 6:21; Romans 8:21; Romans 7:6; Galatians 3:23; Romans 7:13; Romans 4:15; Galatians 3:10;

Submission Cost

Free

Submission Audience

Laity; Ministers; Scholars

Recommended Citation

Mayer, F. E. (1951) "Human Will in Bondage and Freedom, A Study in Luther's Distinction of Law and Gospel. (Part II.)," Concordia Theological Monthly: Vol. 22, Article 65.
Available at: https://scholar.csl.edu/ctm/vol22/iss1/65