Was Luther a Nominalist?

Authors

Bengt Haegglund, Lund University

Publication Date

6-1-1957

Document Type

Article

Keywords

grace, luther, justification, nominalist, sin, nominalism, occamism, scholastic teaching

Submission Type

Bible Study; Lecture; Sermon Prep

Abstract

The problem of the relation between Luther and the tradition which derives its name from William of Occam has in our time acquired a new interest. Certain Roman Catholic critics are inclined to ascribe the Reformer's heretical ideas to nominalist influences. According to them nominalism bears within itself a ferment of dissolution; it rejects in a radical manner the fundamental presuppositions of the whole scholastic theology. Is such a view based on an accurate representation of nominalism? This is a question which we cannot answer within the limits of the present article.

Disciplines

Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion

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

Philippians 2:13; Psalm 32:2;

Submission Cost

Free

Submission Audience

Laity; Ministers; Scholars

Recommended Citation

Haegglund, Bengt (1957) "Was Luther a Nominalist?," Concordia Theological Monthly: Vol. 28, Article 31.
Available at: https://scholar.csl.edu/ctm/vol28/iss1/31