Martin Luther

MARTIN LUTHER: THE RELUCTANT REVOLUTIONARY
PROF. M. M. NINAN
“"but the weapons of Christians are spiritual, against the fortification of the devil. The worldly are
armed with steel and iron, but Christians are armed with the armour of God, with truth,
righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and with the Word of God."
The Formula of Concord distinguished three uses, or purposes, in the Law in Article VI. It states:
"The Law was given to men for three reasons ..."
1. that "thereby outward discipline might be maintained against wild, disobedient men [and that wild and
intractable men might be restrained, as though by certain bars]"
2. that "men thereby may be led to the knowledge of their sins"
3. that "after they are regenerate ... they might ... have a fixed rule according to which they are to regulate and
direct their whole life"
The three uses of the Law are:
1. Curb - Through fear of punishment, the Law keeps the sinful nature of both Christians and non-Christians
under check. This does not stop sin, since the sin is already committed when the heart desires to do what is
wrong, yet it does stop the open outbreak of sin that will do even further damage.
2. Mirror - The Law serves as a perfect reflection of what God created the human heart and life to be. It shows
anyone who compares his/her life to God's requirement for perfection that he/she is sinful.
3. Guide - This use of the law that applies only to Christians. The law becomes the believer's helper. Empowered
by the gospel truth of forgiveness and righteousness in Christ, the believer's new self eagerly desires to live to
please the Triune God.
Law: commands, demands, accuses, curbs, convicts, exposes, condemns, guides
Gospel: gives, forgives, justifies, redeems, saves, motivates, strengthens, encourages, comforts, assures
In both realms He uses men as His agents. "Servants of the Lord" is a name applying not only to
those who fill religious offices: rulers are also "servants of the Lord."
Each must be true to its Divine mission.
Through the Gospel God rules His spiritual kingdom, forgives sins, justifies and sanctifies.
Through the Law God rules His worldly kingdom with power and the sword for justice and peace.
Any attempt to rule the world with the Gospel is a double error, carrying a double penalty.
"What would be the result of an attempt to rule the world by the Gospel and the abolition of
earthly law and force? It would be loosing savage beasts from their chains. The wicked, under
cover of the Christian name would make unjust use of their Gospel freedom."
And again. "To try to rule a country, or the world, by the Gospel would be like putting wolves, lions,
eagles ,and sheep all together in the fold and saying to them, ‘Now graze, and live a godly and
peaceful life together. The door is open, and there is pasture enough, and no watch dog you need
fear.‘ The sheep would keep the peace, sure enough, but they would not live long."
It would be false to try to rule Christians by the Law, persuading them that through their own deeds
and the workings of the Law they could win justification before God.
For that end God has ordained the Gospel and the forgiveness of sins.
And it would be equally false to try to rule the world with the Gospel, for to do that God has ordained
law, rulers, power and the sword.
On the one side, he opposes the Roman Catholic hierarchy, which in the name of the Gospel lays
claim to worldly power, and thereby imperils the Gospel.
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