Luther - Works of Martin Luther Vol. 6 - Righteousness is Love

7LUTHER’S LITURGICALWRITINGSGENERAL INTRODUCTIONThe strictly liturgical writings which came from Luther’s pen and otherrelated writings, f1 together with a great number of allusions, assertions,denunciations, etc., of things liturgical in still other documents, comprisethe material on the basis of which an estimate of Luther’s activity and valuein liturgical reform must be established and examined. Two diametricallyopposite estimates are not only possible but may be drawn in fairness fromthese writings; and for each of these there is evidence enough.The first estimate is not much to Luther’s credit. It shows. him as either anopportunist or a self-centered, opinionated, determined leader who wantsto dominate this field as he does others. Or, even more, it shows himforced to action much against inclination or desire, and meeting theenforced issue with comparatively meager ability. This estimate. showsLuther to be an amateur, dabbling in a field of ecclesiastical learning withwhich he, at best, is but little acquainted; lacking both knowledge and anative sense of appreciation; uncertain not because of timidity but becauseof ignorance; nevertheless entering it with self-reliant boldness; — a“liturgist” of the poorest sort. But Luther was not a liturgist!The other estimate is quite the opposite. As lacking and fully equipped forthe task as the first estimate would have him be, the second reveals him asone imbued with the highest and finest appreciative sense of the wholecultus of the Church; wedded to it and lovingly loyal to its spiritual beautyand worth; with a reverence for the historic; a full devotion to the pure andtrue; a holy determination to centralize all in, and measure all after, theteachings and tradition of the Christ and His ancient Church. In thisestimate every act at reform is emancipation of the inherently high andholy, ancient and pure, from the shackles of man-welded misuse andsuperstition and time’s corroding accretions, and the restoration of and tothe rule and purpose of Christ Himself, and the simple and purposefulapplication of that to the worship-life of the believer. The liturgical, — the