Enthusiasm – The Opposite of the Holy Spirit Working through the Word Alone
The sections to follow, on Calvinism and Pietism, will illustrate how the evils of Enthusiam blossomed as rank weed growth.
The term Enthusiasm is used by Luther and the Book of Concord to identify all efforts to separate the Word from the work of the Holy Spirit. The classic passage is found in the Smalcald Articles, which Luther wrote for the upcoming Roman council, ultimately the Council of Trent. Enthusiasm is the basis for all false doctrine, not only in Christianity, but also in the religions of the world.
"All this is the old devil and old serpent, who also converted Adam and Eve into enthusiasts, and led them from the outward Word of God to spiritualizing and self-conceit, and nevertheless he accomplished this through other outward words. Just as also our enthusiasts [at the present day] condemn the outward Word, and nevertheless they themselves are not silent, but they fill the world with their pratings and writings, as though, indeed, the Spirit could not come through the writings and spoken word of the apostles, but [first] through their writings and words he must come. Why [then] do not they also omit their own sermons and writings, until the Spirit Himself come to men, without their writings and before them, as they boast that He has come into them without the preaching of the Scriptures?"
Smalcald Articles, VIII., Confession, 3-5, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 495. Tappert, p. 312f.
For [indeed] the Papacy also is nothing but sheer enthusiasm, by which the Pope boasts that all rights exist in the shrine of his heart, and whatever he decides and commands with [in] his church is spirit and right, even though it is above and contrary to Scripture and the spoken Word."
Smalcald Articles, VIII., Confession, 3-5, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 495. Tappert, p. 312.
"And in those things which concern the spoken, outward Word, we must firmly hold that God grants His Spirit or grace to no one, except through or with the preceding outward Word, in order that we may [thus] be protected against the enthusiasts, i. e., spirits who boast that they have the Spirit without and before the Word, and accordingly judge Scripture or the spoken Word, and explain and stretch it at their pleasure, as Muenzer did, and many still do at the present day, who wish to be acute judges between the Spirit and the letter, and yet know not what they say or declare. For [indeed] the Papacy also is nothing but sheer enthusiasm, by which the Pope boasts that all rights exist in the shrine of his heart, and whatever he decides and commands with [in] his church is spirit and right, even though it is above and contrary to Scripture and the spoken Word."
Smalcald Articles, VIII., Confession, 3-5, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 495. Tappert, p. 312.
"In a word, enthusiasm inheres in Adam and his children from the beginning [from the first fall] to the end of the world, [its poison] having been implanted and infused into them by the old dragon, and is the origin, power [life], and strength of all heresy, especially of that of the Papacy and Mahomet. Therefore we ought and must constantly maintain this point, that God does not wish to deal with us otherwise than through the spoken Word and the Sacraments. It is the devil himself whatsoever is extolled as Spirit without the Word and Sacraments. For God wished to appear even to Moses through the burning bush and spoken Word; and no prophet, neither Elijah nor Elisha, received the Spirit without the Ten Commandments [or spoken Word]. Neither was John the Baptist conceived without the preceding word of Gabriel, nor did he leap in his mother's womb without the voice of Mary."
Smalcald Articles, VIII. Confession, 9-10 Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 497. Tappert, p. 313. 2 Peter 1:21.
"Also, we reject and condemn the error of the Enthusiasts, who imagine that God without means, without the hearing of God's Word, also without the use of the holy Sacraments, draws men to Himself, and enlightens, justifies, and saves them."
Formula of Concord, Epitome, Article II, Free Will, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 789. Tappert, p. 471.
"The Lutheran Confessions take a decisive stand against 'enthusiasts,' who teach that the Holy Spirit works in the hearts of men without the Word and Sacraments (SA-III VIII 3-13; LC II 34-62; FC Ep II 13)."
John T. Mueller, "Grace, Means of," Lutheran Cyclopedia, Erwin L. Lueker, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1975, p. 344.
"The Lutheran theologians, in general, had reason to illustrate very particularly the doctrine of the operation of the Word of God, in order to oppose the Enthusiasts and Mystics, who held that the Holy Spirit operated rather irrespectively of the Word than through it; and to oppose also the Calvinists, who, led by their doctrine of predestination, would not grant that the Word possessed this power per se, but only in such cases where God chose...."
Heinrich Schmid, The Doctrinal Theology of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, trans., Charles A. Hay, Henry E. Jacobs, Philadelphia: Lutheran Publication Society, 1889, p. 511.
"A denial of the efficacy and sufficiency of the means of grace is contained in the theological systems of all religious enthusiasts."
Edwin E. Pieplow, "The Means of Grace," The Abiding Word, ed., Theodore Laetsch, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1946, II, p. 343.
"Hence, too, the lack of emphasis, even in the best of Reformed preaching, upon the divine Word as the vehicle of regenerating grace and on the Sacraments. The office of the Word, then, is merely to point to the way of life, without communicating that of which it conveys the idea. The Word and
Sacraments are declared to be necessary; their office in the Church is a divine institution; but they are only symbols of what the Spirit does within; and the Spirit works immediately and irresistibly."
"Grace, Means of," The Concordia Cyclopedia, L. Fuerbringer, Th. Engelder, P. E. Kretzmann, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1927, p. 298.
"To the Lutheran the sermon, as the preached Word, is a means of grace. Through it the Holy Spirit calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth. It is a constant offer of pardon; a giving of life, as well as a nourishing and strengthening of life. In the Reformed churches the sermon is apt to be more hortatory and ethical. It partakes more of the sacrificial than of the sacramental character. The individuality of the preacher, the subjective choice of a text, the using of it merely for a motto, the discussion of secular subjects, the unrestrained platform style, lack of reverence, lack of dignity, and many other faults are common, and are not regarded as unbecoming the messenger of God in His temple. Where there is a properly trained Lutheran consciousness such things repel, shock, and are not tolerated."
G. H. Gerberding, The Lutheran Pastor, Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1915, p. 278.
"The divine power must never be separated from the Word of Scripture; that is to say, the Holy Ghost does not operate beside or outside the Word (enthusiasm, Calvinism, Rathmannism in the Lutheran Church), but always in and through the Word, Romans 10:17; 1 Peter 1:23; John 6:23."
John Theodore Mueller, Christian Dogmatics, A Handbook of Doctrinal Theology, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1934, p. 134f. Romans 10:17; John 6:23; 1 Peter 1:23.
False Doctrine Quotations
False Doctrine Eats Away
The liberals cannot tolerate the thought that Paul may be writing about distinguishing Law and Gospel when he says “rightly dividing the word of truth.” That is the traditional Lutheran understanding of the phrase. Two reasons may be given for this. First of all, the term “rightly dividing” could also be translated as “correctly cutting,” using the image of the Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6, Hebrews 4:12, and Revelation; see the appendix for Chapter One). The Word does indeed penetrate all matters, the Holy Spirit working contrition through the Law and forgiveness through the Gospel. Secondly, the image of the workman reminds us of Paul’s vocation as a tentmaker. Careless cutting of fabric would make a patchwork out of tents, just as the mixing of Law and Gospel turns a sermon into a harangue, a pep talk, or a stand-up comedy routine.
We should shun the “profane and vain babblings” of false teachers, who only increase ungodliness. The image used by Paul is variously translated as canker, cancer, or gangrene. The Greek word transliterates (letter for letter) as gangrene, but it is a medical term used since Hippocrates for spreading ulcers. The other vivid term, often missed, is “doth eat,” literally “has a pasture” in Greek. The Good Shepherd leads us to green pastures, but the word of false teachers devours all that God gives us. False doctrine devours the Word and twists it into Satan’s word. False doctrine devours whatever nourishes the soul, Word and Sacraments. False doctrine devours the souls of believers, creates conflict, and divides families.
Anyone who opposes false doctrine will be accused of being harsh, tactless, and confrontational. However, as anyone knows who has seen or experienced gangrene and cancer at work, the options are severe. Cancer and gangrene, indeed, all flesh-eating disorders, must be cut away or eliminated immediately. The easy-to-ignore skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma, can eat into the bone and spread while seeming to be harmless.
2 Timothy 2:15-18 - Canker
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodlines 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
Observe and Avoid,
Not Register and Attend
Paul’s most important doctrinal letter was written to the Romans, a fact attested by its place as the first Pauline epistle in the New Testament, not the first written, but the most important. At the end of his letter, Paul begged, that is, beseeched the earliest Christians to mark (watch out for) those who caused divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine they have learned.
False teachers cause divisions and death-traps. The divisions are caused by conflict, for instance, when a soft-spoken man begins to teach that the Reformed are Christians, too, and deserve an audience. Then, when the false doctrines are introduced in the name of tolerance and love, hatred and expulsion soon follow. Every Lutheran synod today is riddled with divisions: Pentecostals, Church Growth enthusiasts, ecumenists, feminists, activists of every persuasion and lifestyle, crypto-Calvinists, crypto-Romanists, evolutionists, Pietists, male, female, and undecided.
The word used for offenses is widely misunderstood. The word transliterates as “scandal” but the concept is not one of being offended or embarrassed. Stumbling also seems to be too weak of a word. The “skandalon” was the trigger mechanism in a trap. It was small but deadly, and of course, always hidden away. False teachers create death-traps by introducing cancerous ideas that devour what God has blessed. For instance, those who adore the Church Growth Movement must necessarily deny the efficacy of the Word and the Means of Grace. They believe they can remain Lutheran and simply add what they love from the Reformed. They are deluded. These false teachers introduce rationalism and irrationalism, the twin poisons that replace the Means of Grace. They murder souls.
Romans 16:17-18
Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
The style of the false teachers is concisely described. They are not enslaved to Christ but enslaved to their own bellies, their carnal desires. They make sure that they are highly paid and honored for their services. Most important, their first interest is their own peace, security, and comfort. They are the antithesis of bearing the cross. Moreover, they seduce others into thinking that one must shun the cross in the Christian church and work toward the goal of having “happy campers.” In fact, if sound doctrine causes any kind of strife or conflict, false teachers are quick to use that against the faithful ministers and members as proof that things are not going well. The attitude itself is a death-trap, leading others into the same death-trap.
God has given us only one doctrine, a unified whole, including all that the Bible teaches, in one unified and harmonious whole. The death-traps are many, as we can see from the many different, exotic notions taught as valid, edifying, and Spirit-anointed. One person will seize upon a fad and spread it with Satanic zeal. Some will follow. Many historians have noted that Mormonism grew up in the “burnt out district,” an area of New York repeatedly savaged by revivals, people made doubly fit for Hell, ready to follow a con artist by the name of Joseph Smith.
Cults offer us good examples of how false teachers present themselves. They use fair words and “blessings” to deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. They quote from the Bible. Mormons, who hate the Bible and call Christianity the “whore of Babylon,” will gladly lean on the Bible for support and call themselves Christians to get in the door. Jehovah’s Witnesses will pass out intellectual tracts by scholars to prove their case against the Trinity. False teachers within our midst are no different. They will use any method, except honesty, to advance their cause. They rely upon the trust built up by faithful teachers of the Word. The unsuspecting are not retarded or uneducated. They are guileless, disinclined to think that an ordained minister can smile so warmly while attacking the Scriptures. The simple believer will frown when he hears the confessional Christian raise his voice against the fair-spoken false teacher who softly invokes love and unity while silently cursing the watchdog.
The antidote is: “Stop acting as if you just stepped off the convent school bus.” The repeated Biblical warnings against false teachers are designed by God to make us alert rather than sleepy, watchful rather than lax, repelled by falsehood rather than attracted to it.
Galatians 1:8-9, Damn That Angel to Hell
One of the key passages for orthodox Lutherans has always been Galatians 1:8-9. The epistle was written against legalists who wanted to impose Jewish rituals, chiefly circumcision, upon the congregation. The first infallible pope, Peter, helped create confusion by his contradictory behavior. The Holy Spirit declared, through Paul, that no authority can be claimed above, beyond, or against the pure Word of God. To make this clear, Paul stated that anyone teaching against justification by faith must be damned to hell (the vivid meaning of anathema), whether he is an apostle or even a divinely created angel. The fierce warning is repeated for emphasis.
We only have one Gospel. Any variation upon that message is another Gospel, perhaps truth mixed with falsehood, but all the more dangerous because of the amalgamation. In the past, mercury was used to mine precious metals, because of its amazing ability to bind with silver and gold. If someone plays with a puddle of mercury, a dangerous and foolish gesture, he can easily coat his wedding band with the substance, thanks to this binding quality. Silver tooth fillings are called amalgams because they are an amalgamation of silver and…mercury.
False doctrine easily amalgamates to sound doctrine. False teachers depend on this quality. They want to add only one thing, their shiny and attractive mercury, to traditional Christianity. They may want to make people a little more indifferent through liberalism or arouse them to a greater degree of legalism through some man-made rules. The opportunity are endless.
Galatians 1:8-9
Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
Luther’s Sermon about False Teachers
Luther’s description of false teachers is so timely that his insights deserve a special section. These words are just as true in these last days of a mad, old world as they were when Luther preached them.
Luther’s Sermon
False Teachers Use Work of Others
"Note the master hand wherewith Paul portrays the character of false teachers, showing how they betray their avarice and ambition. First, they permit true teachers to lay the foundation and perform the labor; then they come and desire to do the work over, to reap the honors and the benefits. They bring about that the name and the work of the true teachers receive no regard and credit; what they themselves have brought--that is the thing. They make the poor simple-minded people to stare open-mouthed while they win them with flowery words and seduce them with fair speeches, as mentioned in Romans 16:18. These are the idle drones that consume the honey they will not and cannot make."
Martin Luther, Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VII, p. 110. Second Sunday in Lent. 2 Corinthians 11:19-33; 12:1-9; Romans 16:18.
False Doctrine Tolerated,
Sound Doctrine Dishonored
"And such false teachers have the good fortune that all their folly is tolerated, even though the people realize how these act the fool, and rather rudely at that. They have success with it all, and people bear with them. But no patience is to be exercised toward true teachers! Their words and their works are watched with the intent of entrapping them, as complained of in Psalm 17:9 and elsewhere. When only apparently a mote is found, it is exaggerated to a very great beam. No toleration is granted. There is only judgment, condemnation and scorn. Hence the office of preaching is a grievous one. He who has not for his sole motive the benefit of his neighbor and the glory of God cannot continue therein. The true teacher must labor, and permit others to have the honor and profit of his efforts, while he receives injury and derision for his reward."
Martin Luther, Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VII, p. 110f. Second Sunday in Lent. 2 Corinthians 11:19-33; 12:1-9. Psalm 17:9.
God Punishes Ingratitude by Allowing False Teachers
"In the second place such teachers are disposed to bring the people into downright bondage and to bind their conscience by forcing laws upon them and teaching works-righteousness. The effect is that fear impels them to do what has been pounded into them, as if they were bondslaves, while their teachers command fear and attention. But the true teachers, they who give us freedom of conscience and create us lords, we soon forget, even despise. The dominion of false teachers is willingly tolerated and patiently endured; indeed, it is given high repute. All those conditions are punishments sent by God upon them who do not receive the Gospel with love and gratitude."
Martin Luther, Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VII, p. 111. Second Sunday in Lent. 2 Corinthians 11:19-33; 12:1-9. John 5:43.
False Teachers Flay Disciples to Bone
"In the third place, false teachers flay their disciples to the bone, and cut them out of house and home, but even this is taken and endured. Such, I opine, has been our experience under the Papacy. But true preachers are even denied their bread. Yet this all perfectly squares with justice! For, since men fail to give unto those from whom they receive the Word of God, and permit the latter to serve them at their own expense, it is but fair they should give the more unto preachers of lies, whose instruction redounds to their injury. What is withheld from Christ must be given in tenfold proportion to the devil. They who refuse to give the servant of truth a single thread, must be oppressed by liars."
Martin Luther, Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VII, p. 111f. Second Sunday in Lent. 2 Corinthians 11:19-33; 12:1-9.
Avarice
"Fourth, false apostles forcibly take more than is given them. They seize whatever and whenever they can, thus enhancing their insatiable avarice. This, too, is excused in them."
Martin Luther, Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VII, p. 112. Second Sunday in Lent. 2 Corinthians 11:19-33; 12:1-9.
Lord It Over Us
"Fifth, these deceitful teachers, not satisfied with having acquired our property, must exalt themselves above us and lord it over us...We bow our knees before them, worship them and kiss their feet. And we suffer it all, yes, with fearful reverence regard it as just and right. And it is just and right, for why did we not honor the Gospel by accepting and preserving it?"
Martin Luther, Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VII, p. 112. Second Sunday in Lent. 2 Corinthians 11:19-33; 12:1-9.
Dogs and Foot-Rags
"Sixth, our false apostles justly reward us by smiting us in the face. That is, they consider us inferior to dogs; they abuse us, and treat us as foot-rags."
Martin Luther, Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VII, p. 112. Second Sunday in Lent. 2 Corinthians 11:19-33; 12:1-9.
False Teachers Are Peacocks
"The peacock is an image of heretics and fanatical spirits. For on the order of the peacock they, too, show themselves and strut about in their gifts, which never are outstanding. But if they could see their feet, that is the foundation of their doctrine, they would be stricken with terror, lower their crests, and humble themselves. To be sure, they, too, suffer from jealousy, because they cannot bear honest and true teachers. They want to be the whole show and want to put up with no one next to them. And they are immeasurably envious, as peacocks are. Finally, they have a raucous and unpleasant voice, that is, their doctrine is bitter and sad for afflicted and godly minds; for it casts consciences down more than it lifts them up and strengthens them."
Martin Luther, What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, II, p. 642.
Doctrine, True and False
The quotation below seems to make Lutheranism a brand name, but the statement is correct if we substitute “Christian Church” for “Lutheran Church.” The purpose of the Church has been and continues to be an extension of what God began in the Old Testament and manifested through Jesus, the proclamation of the Gospel in Word and Sacrament. The accumulation of treasure, the growth of pension funds, the erection of monumental buildings: all are nothing without the efficacious Word.
"The Lutheran Church is a doctrinal Church. She attaches supreme importance to pure doctrine. The preaching and teaching of God's pure Word is her central activity. Say the Confessors: 'The true adornment of the churches is godly, useful, and clear doctrine.' (Triglotta, p. 401)"
W. A. Baepler, "Doctrine, True and False," The Abiding Word, ed., Theodore Laetsch, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1946, II, p. 496.
