The Significance of Luther's Term Pure Passive as Quoted in Article II of the Formula of Concord

Authors

Robert D. Preus, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

Publication Date

8-1-1958

Document Type

Article

Keywords

purely passive, luther, conversion, grace, formula of concord, faith, calvinism, doctrine, synergism

Submission Type

Bible Study; Lecture; Sermon Prep

Abstract

The Lutheran doctrine of conversion, standing as it does between Calvinism and synergism, is always a difficult position to maintain and defend; for it is built on a paradox, a paradox of exclusive divine action and complete human participation. Faith is at the same time passive and active: passive in that man, blind and dead spiritually, in coming to faith only suffers God to work this change in his heart, active in that man himself believes and is in no way coerced in this nor divested of any of his faculties.

Disciplines

Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion

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

Acts 7:51; Isaiah 64:8; John 1:12;

Submission Cost

Free

Submission Audience

Laity; Ministers; Scholars

Recommended Citation

Preus, Robert D. (1958) "The Significance of Luther's Term Pure Passive as Quoted in Article II of the Formula of Concord," Concordia Theological Monthly: Vol. 29, Article 42.
Available at: https://scholar.csl.edu/ctm/vol29/iss1/42