What is Conscience?

Authors

A. W. Meyer, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

Publication Date

9-1-1934

Document Type

Article

Keywords

conscience, luther, moral, st. paul, doctrine

Submission Type

Bible Study; Lecture; Sermon Prep

Abstract

Luther does not offer a clear-cut theoretical definition of conscience, but he speaks very perspicuously on the functions of conscience, and we shall take occasion to quote him repeatedly. Hauff, in his Real- konkordanz, calls conscience "das deutliche Bewusstsein von der sittlichen Guete unserer Gcsinnungen und Handlungcn, den inneren Richter, den jeder im Busen traegt" Standard Dictionary: "Conscience is the activity or faculty by which distinctions are made between the right and wrong in conduct and character." The Schaff- Herzog Encyclopedia defines conscience as "the moral sense of the individual applied to his own conduct."

Disciplines

Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion

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

1 Samuel 24:5; 2 Samuel 24:10; Job 27:6; Colossians 2:16; Romans 2:14-15; Romans 14:5; 1 Corinthians 8:7;

Submission Cost

Free

Submission Audience

Laity; Ministers; Scholars

Recommended Citation

Meyer, A. W. (1934) "What is Conscience?," Concordia Theological Monthly: Vol. 5, Article 77.
Available at: https://scholar.csl.edu/ctm/vol5/iss1/77