Charles Hunter
Essay 2 12/07/2011
1 Corinthians 9:19, “For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all.” Martin Luther wrote The Freedom of a Christian Man as a response to the Pope’s criticism of his teachings. Luther refused to accept all of the claims of Catholic morality and wrote treatises to offer his view on Catholicism. The quotation above is the key understanding of Martin Luther’s view on Christian Freedom. In the passage, Paul is stating that through Christ he is free from the control of men, but is not free from serving men. Paul only will take commands from God. Luther’s argument revolves around two basic principles which are drawn from 1 Corinthians 9:19. 1. A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none. 2. A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject to all.1 Luther agrees with Paul, but is also goes on to state that because humanity is born of the Spirit they become a willing servant of all men. This willingness to serve humanity is only because of the Spirit-led desire found in the nature of man. In order to understand Christian freedom, it is important discuss the two-fold nature of man. “Man has a twofold nature, a spiritual and a bodily one. According to the spiritual nature, which men refer to as the soul, he is called a spiritual inner, or new man. According to the bodily nature, which men refer to as flesh, he is called a carnal, outward, or old man.”2 Martin Luther uses this twofold nature to further his definition of Christian freedom. He argues that freedom has to do with the inner new man and not with the flesh or old man. The freedom of the soul has nothing to do with any of the works which can be done by the external body. This understanding is reflected in Martin Luther’s dualistic anthropology. Luther continues to say that in order for the soul to be righteous and free it is only in need of one thing. “One thing, and only one thing, 1 2
Luther, Martin, The Freedom of a Christian Man (Boston, MA: Pauline Books and Media, 1988) Pg. 4 Luther, Martin, The Freedom of a Christian Man, Pg. 5
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Charles Hunter
Essay 2 12/07/2011
is necessary for Christian life, righteousness, and freedom. That one thing is the most holy Word of God, the gospel of Christ.”3 Understanding Luther’s view on the Word of God is the next step towards the definition of Christian freedom. “The word is the gospel of God concerning His Son, who was made flesh, suffered, rose from the dead, and was glorified through the Spirit who sanctifies. To preach Christ means to feed the soul, make it righteous, set it free, and save it, provided it believes the preaching. Faith alone is the saving and efficacious use of the word of God.”4 In the passage above, Martin Luther stated that the soul is only in need of the Word of God for it to become righteous. The soul is justified by faith alone and not by any works. Luther believes that if the soul could be justified by anything else, then it would not need the Word of God and consequently would not need faith. “Christ is the end of the law, that everyone who has faith may be justified.”5 This passage reaffirms Martin Luther’s view of justification through faith alone. Martin Luther believes that only the soul can accept the Word of God so nothing the flesh does can make any difference. “The moment you begin to have faith you learn that all things in you are blameworthy, sinful, and damnable.”6 Only by trusting Christ can a human become a new man. Work cannot justify a person nor make a person guilty. In order to understand how the soul is justified through faith alone, Luther divides the scripture of God into two parts. The two parts which Luther divided the scripture into are: commandments and promises. The commandments are meant to teach us what is good and what we should do but do not give us any means or power to do so. “They are intended to teach man to know himself, that through them he may recognize his inability to do good and may despair of his own ability.”7 The 3
Luther, Martin, The Freedom of a Christian Man, Pg. 6 Luther, Martin, The Freedom of a Christian Man, Pg. 6 5 The Catholic Study Bible (Oxford, NY: Oxford University Press, 2006) Romans 10:4 6 Luther, Martin, The Freedom of a Christian Man, Pg. 7 7 Luther, Martin, The Freedom of a Christian Man, Pg. 8 4
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Charles Hunter
Essay 2 12/07/2011
second part of the scripture is meant to aid humanity. “If you wish to fulfill the law and not covet, as the law demands, come, believe in Christ in whom grace, righteousness, peace, liberty, and all things are promised you.”8 Martin Luther has and understanding that humanity is granted what is promised by God in the scripture by faith alone. Since the promises of God are holy and righteous, the soul clings to them through faith. The soul is justified in this action by the Word of God and made free as a child of God. “Christian liberty, our faith, which does not induce us to live in idleness or wickedness but makes the law and works unnecessary for any man’s righteousness and salvation.”9 According to Martin Luther, the freedom of a Christian is the freedom from law and commandments. Free because the promises of God give humanity what is demanded by the commandments. Righteousness is promised to humanity through faith alone. Luther then divides faith into two powers. The powers of faith are those which grant humanity freedom. The first power is that which frees humanity from commands and gives the promises of God. This power also separates humanity from their works. The second power of faith shows how humanity is made to be willing servants of all men. “God sees that we consider him truthful and by the faith of our heart pay Him the great honor which is due Him, He does us that great honor of considering us truthful and righteous for the sake of our faith.”10 Although it has been established that there is no necessity for works, Luther distinguishes between the soul and the flesh while discussing the need for good works. Christian freedom of the soul does not, however, mean that people do not do good works. Humanity endeavors to do good works in order to bring balance to the inner and outer man in faith. “Hence a man cannot be idle, for the need of his body drives him and he is compelled to do many good works to 8
Luther, Martin, The Freedom of a Christian Man, Pg. 9 Luther, Martin, The Freedom of a Christian Man, Pg 9 10 Luther, Martin, The Freedom of a Christian Man, Pg 10 9
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Charles Hunter
Essay 2 12/07/2011
reduce it to subjection.”11 Luther recognizes the conflict between the inner and outer man. The soul is already justified by faith, but the body is purified through works. “Nevertheless the works themselves do not justify him before God, but he does the works out of spontaneous love in obedience to God and considers nothing except the approval of God.”12 People are motivated to perform good works out of their faith and believing in God which in turn makes the person good. Luther states that the only thing which can make a person good besides faith. Christians are free to do good works because they want to, not out of fear or because they were commanded to. “Although I am unworthy and condemned man, my God has given me in Christ all the riches of righteousness and salvation without any merit on my part, out of pure, free mercy, so that from now on I need nothing except faith which believes that this is true. Why should I not therefore freely, joyfully, with all my heart, and with an eager will do all things which I know are pleasing and acceptable to such a Father who has overwhelmed me with his inestimable riches?”13 Faith is still full of good works even without the need for them. Luther believes that for those with faith will be confident that they are already fulfilled, but still find the motivation to perform good works. The need to perform the good works will flow from the appreciation of the gifts of God, grace and mercy. According to Martin Luther, that is Christian freedom. In today’s world Martin Luther can provide insight into living a holy life. It is important for one to know the definition of Christian freedom. For those with faith in today’s society they must understand that good works will not affect their standing with God. Many, perform good deeds because they think it is what God commands and will in turn make them a better person and give them a better chance for salvation with God. Luther considers works done for the purpose of justification to be considered damnable works. Those who wish to do good deeds to
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Luther, Martin, The Freedom of a Christian Man, Pg. 17 Luther, Martin, The Freedom of a Christian Man, Pg. 17 13 Luther, Martin, The Freedom of a Christian Man, Pg. 22 12
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Charles Hunter
Essay 2 12/07/2011
live a holy life should do so apart from any expectation of a reward, but only out of gratitude for the gifts of God received through faith.
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