Opinion
In the previous thesis, we discussed Luther’s two primary elements on the Will: the active will and the passive will. While Scholastic theology in the Middle Ages argued that with active power by free will even after the fall, human beings can accumulate merits to be saved, Luther argued that there is no longer power that can do good works for salvation inside human beings.READ MORE
Opinion
In the previous thesis, Luther boldly asserted that the will after the fall of Adam was captive and subjected to sin; it exists in name only, and as long as it does, what it is able to do, it commits mortal sins.READ MORE
Opinion
An anthropologist who was studying a tribe in South Africa put down a basket full of fresh sweet strawberries and promised to give all the fruit to the first child who got to the basket. That was translated and told to the kids.READ MORE
Opinion
In this thesis, Luther boldly asserted that for the will after the fall of Adam is captive and subject to sin; it exists in name only, and as long as it does what it is able to do, it commits a mortal sin. This thesis was perhaps the most offensive of all to the papal party in Luther’s day. In February, 1520, the theological committee was established to examine Luther’s writings.READ MORE
Opinion
Zwingli's view on the Eucharist (as well as baptism) is heavily influenced by two factors. First, Zwingli had served as a chaplain in the Swiss Confederacy. In this military context Zwingli learned the importance of rank and allegiance. He spoke of the essence of the sacrament as consisting in Pflichtszeichen, that is, a "demonstration of allegiance."READ MORE
Opinion
Then, here is the question that arises: If that is true what is the free will for man? What on earth is the free will to choose whatever I do and wherever I go? Luther says that if we are to use the term “free will” at all, we should limit it to our everyday freedom in those things that are below us but not attempt to extend it to those things are “above us” (LW 33,70). What does that mean? It is simply, once again, an attempt to give account of the way things are.READ MORE
Opinion
Theses 1 through 12 deal with the question of our objective deeds: “What must a man do to be saved? How humans can advance on the path to righteousness? For these questions, the theologian of glory answers that the good works of man are necessary for our righteousness before God, but Luther rejected these ideas of the theologian of glory.READ MORE
Opinion
Although this controversy happened almost five hundred years ago, it is significant for the church today. This controversy is important today because many deny that Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation. READ MORE
Opinion
The clash between Martin Luther and Desiderius Erasmus over the issue of free will is “one of the most famous exchanges in western intellectual history”. On September 1, 1524, Erasmus published his treatise On the Freedom of the Will. In his treatise, Erasmus emphasized Human Free Will in cooperation with Grace: “By free choice in this place we mean a power of the human will by which a man can apply himself to the things which lead to eternal salvation, or turn away from them”.READ MORE
Opinion
As Pastor Jin O Jeong considers Jehovah's Witnesses' rejection of the Trinity, he argues that the Bible shows evidence of Jesus' divine nature, and that Jesus' divine nature as both God and human is central to the gospel and to the Christian faith.READ MORE
Opinion
Before Thanksgiving Day, I pondered the difference between Eastern and Western cultures in term of how they view and display respect. For this, I was given the example of two great philosophers who led the flow of ideas in the East and West: One of them is Plato, a western ancient philosopher and the other is Meniculcs, a Chinese ancient philosopher.READ MORE
Opinion
Last week on the Reformation Day, I received some questions about how Luther and the Reformed Church, including John Calvin, understood the concept of justification and sanctification. This article will help Christians easily understand the theological differences of Luther and Calvin.READ MORE
Opinion
In the earlier thesis, Luther asserts that only when all humans fear the judgment of God, they can avoid pride and have true hope. In this thesis, Luther emphasized that, “In the sight of God sins are then truly venial when they are feared by men to be mortal.” While thesis 11, pertains to concern for the work of humans, thesis 12 pertains to concern for the affections of humans. In other words, we must fear judgment in all aspects of ourselves; not only in our works, but also in our affections.READ MORE
Opinion
Reverend Jin O. Jeong discusses the historical context of the Lutheran liturgy, and the different arguments for which some may want to change the liturgy according to the culture, or conserve it in its original form.READ MORE
Opinion
As we can see in earlier thesis, the scholastic tradition in Middle age, tried to make the distinction between ‘dead works’ and ‘deadly works’ to avoid the argument of the good woks done by, “benevolent pagans.” Luther asserted that this distinction can be incomprehensible to ordinary Christians. In this thesis, Luther once again asserts that we must sincerely admit, even to confession, that our best works are sinful. Because we pride ourselves in our works, we must fear the judgment of God in every work. With the fear of God’s judgement, all human cannot avoid the arrogance.READ MORE
The Sunday Assembly, also known as the “Atheist Church”, based in the United Kingdom is scheduled to have its first global assembly. The “church” is also known to have a branch and ...
World May 06, 2014 02:34 AM EDTThe leaders of the DPRK have been making very strong statements regarding human rights. A representative from the North Korean government has stated in a speech that the U.S. is a ‘living ...
World May 08, 2014 03:08 AM EDTKnow about the lifestyle of Pope Francis and the status of his net worth, and how he deals with his salary and other financial matters. Click the headline to learn more. ...
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