Luther's Works: Church and Ministry I

Luther's Works #39

by Eric W. Gritsch, Martin Luther

This volume includes two writings dealing with the plight of the common person who Luther felt had become a victim of the ecclesiastical establishment. These are followed by treatises taken from Luther's literary feud with three staunch supporters of Rome: Augustine Alveld, Jerome Emser [the "Leipzig goat"], and Albrecht of Mainz. The final treatise contains Luther's argument for congregational authority.

Genres: Theology, Religion, Reference

356 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1970

Reviews

[Glenn Crouch]

In this volume, we enter into Luther’s writing’s concerning the Church - and as I read this collection of different writings, the one thing that kept coming through, is how deeply committed Luther was to the Biblical principle of the “priesthood of all believers”. Thus a lot of these writings are arguments in defence of this as opposed to the established structures of priest / bishops / pope.

Quite a few of the writings, are responses to Jerome Emser (The Goat of Leipzig), who seemed to really enjoy taking to task Luther. Whilst this volume does not contain Esmer’s writings from the introductions to each writing, it seems that even the established church was not too pleased being defended by “the Goat”. We do see in these writings some of Luther’s famous / infamous satirical wit - however I do find Luther when he is in “defence mode” to be a bit too repetitive for my liking. He does make very good points, and they are well argued - but then I’d like him to stop :) This of course is a cultural thing on my behalf - and Luther is doing what any scholar would in the 16th Century when publicly criticised.

Still a good read - onto volume 40.

[Albert Meier]

In this volume you get a taste of Luther's polemic writings. While he can deal very keenly with the substance of arguments and interpretation, when he is facing personal accusations or arguments he feels are so obviously flawed that they do not deserve a response, Luther can be extremely cutting with his ridicule and insults. Several times I laughed out loud.

The work contained give great insight into Luther's ecclesiology. He refuses to let the church be defined in terms of power or authority. Every Christian is a true priest, able to minister before the Lord. Yet for sake of proclamation of Gospel Christ has also established the Public Ministry of the Word.

While Luther faced different controversies in this area than those facing his spiritual successors, his method of approaching Scripture and many of his conclusion give insight and have application even today.