Luther on Matthew 22:37-39; "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
"Therefore, what will happen on Judgment Day is that many a maidservant who did not know whether she had done anything good all her life will be preferred before a Carthusian monk who has the appearance of great holiness and yet has loved neither God nor his neighbor. There God will pronounce this sentence: 'This maid has served her mistress in harmony with my commandment, has looked after the house, and so forth; since she has done this in faith, she shall be saved; but the Carthusian, you did what you wanted to do, serving no one but yourself and your own idol; therefore, you are damned.' That will be the verdict on Judgment Day. And it serves the world right." [The House Postils, Vol. 3, p.76]
Comments
Keith Shedron How can the monk's situation, described by Luther, be reconciled with UOJ? The monk has been declared sinless, a saint, and yet God, according to Luther, condemns him of idolatry during his life. Wasnt that sin already forgiven and removed "as far as the east is from the west"? How can God now condemn him for his idols?
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Steven Flo How is it possible for the wealthiest father in the world to legally bequeath his entire estate to his son, but his son remains poor? Easy! The son merely has to refuse what is his. Legally he is rich, but practically speaking he is poor. You could say...See More
Keith Shedron But God has not "legally bequeathed" forgiveness to the monk, else he would not be guilty of idolatry, so the illustration really does not work. Does God condemn the monk for a sin that God has forgiven? No, unless God is a liar. What sin can possibly condemn a person that God has declared to be free of sin? UOJ insists that all sins have already been forgiven, which necessarily includes the sin of unbelief. There is no such thing as an unforgivable sin when UOJ is embraced, though Scripture is very clear that such is not the case.
- Steven Flo Your premise is wrong. You presume it is impossible for God to declare the world forgiven and at the same time condemn those who "refuse" it. But that is precisely what God does. Jesus proves this at the cross when He prays, "Father, forgive them, t...See More
- Steven Flo What sin does God not condemn a non-believer for?
Again, You presume it is impossible for God to declare the world forgiven and at the same time condemn those who "refuse" it. Again......See More
- Keith Shedron You understand the cited verses very differently than I do, I suppose this is due to my use of reason? So, my reason tells me, when I read Scripture, that justification is by faith, extends only to believers and does not pertain to the entire world. U...See More
- Steven Flo Yes, the bible says we are justified by faith. But faith in what?
1) A God who says, "I have reconciled you and the world. Believe it." ...Or...
2) A God who says, "I will reconcile you IF you believe it." ...See More
- Keith Shedron Faith in the promises of God. " "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be save..." UOJ removes the necessity of faith and states that salvation pertains to the entire world, without faith, so that even those in hell are saved, such as Judas. But doesn't justification extend to believers only and not to the whole world? Isn't that what Scripture states? Isn't that what the Lutheran church used to teach?
- Steven Flo What could be more Lutheran than Luther?
Luther says, "Even he who does not believe that he is free and his sins forgiven shall also learn, in due time, how assuredly his sins were forgiven, even though he did not believe it ... He who does not accept...See More
- Steven Flo I'm saying the same thing as Luther when I say,
"How is it possible for the wealthiest father in the world to legally bequeath his entire estate to his son, but his son remains poor? Easy! The son merely has to refuse what is his. Legally he is rich,...See More
- Keith Shedron Great quote from Luther.Unfortunately, it does not apply to the question at hand. The efficacy of the Keys is not in question. If a person rejects absolution, they reject what God gives, through MEANS. God only deals with us through means, a point whic...See More
- Steven Flo You digress. Luther's main point does not center on the word "efficacy". It centers on the word "forgiveness"...whether the Gospel is the declaration of "forgiveness before faith" or not. Luther says "before faith". See how clear he is:
"Even he wh...See More
- Steven Flo Now regarding the Aegidius Hunnius quote from 1594, I have not read the book. From the summary I'm reading here:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BFGFMV0/ref=rdr_kindle_ext_tmb it appears Hunnius is right in correcting Samuel Huber for over reaching o...See More
- Keith Shedron I will send a copy, I think you will find it interesting. Hunnius: "We interpret those things that the Scripture contains regarding the redemption and reconciliation of the world (or of the human race) concerning the benefit gained and acquired through...See More
- Keith Shedron UOJ adherents do indeed state that God works through means, They simply deny that he works through the Word and Sacraments exclusively, so that a person is forgiven, absolved and pronounced a Saint without the need of the Word, the Sacraments, or faith...See More
- Keith Shedron I understand your argument, but at this point, it must be clear that your argument was not upheld by early Lutherans, such as Hunnius, who claims that the argument is not supported by Scripture or the Confessions. And, fortunately, it does not enjoy universal acceptance by Lutherans today, even in the LCMS.
- Steven Flo And so, is there a general use of the word "Justification" for the whole world...as well as for the individual when he personally receives it by faith? Yes! Look at this "general use" in Romans 5:18 "Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life."
- Steven Flo Hunnius was so right in attacking Huber for teaching a "universal election" which neither the Scriptures nor Luther supported. But how sad Hunnius over reached and attacked the "general justification and general reconciliation of the world" that both...See More
- Keith Shedron You disagree with Lutheran orthodoxy. Hunnius refutes your understanding of Romans, but, given that you disagree with Hunnius, one author of the Saxon Visitation Articles, I will not include a quote. Note that Huber left the University at Wittenberg because the faculty disagreed with him, not simply Hunnius, so, the staff would disagree with the current manifestation of Huber's error. Fortunately, I have talked to a couple of current LCMS pastors that rejected UOJ outright, one giving thanks to God that a red flag went up when we heard about it and the other apologizing that such a doctrine would be present in an LCMS church. I pray you find opportunity to read the book I have sent. Pax
- Steven Flo Keith, as a pastor, I'm not able to live in the world of theoretical ivory tower theology. I have to hold the hand of those who are dying. Let me ask you, what would you say to one who was dying and said, "I know I have to have 'faith' to get to heaven. I'm just not sure I have enough faith to get me there."?
Those that deny UOJ and insist one must have "faith" before Jesus can declare them forgiven and saved would offer no hope.
But I was able to give this man (my father) great hope by saying, "Dad, I have Good News for you. Jesus doesn't say, 'I forgive you only IF you have faith.' No, He says, 'I forgave you before you were born! I forgave the whole world! I applied this salvation to you, personally, in Holy Baptism. Believe what's already been done and given!' "
My father died in peace with faith not in his faith, but faith in Christ who declared him forgiven and saved BEFORE he believed it.
That's why this general justification or reconciliation is so important. It means hope when you die.
- Steven Flo Who could be more orthodox according to Lutheran Orthodoxy than Luther Himself. Again, I'll quote (below) his teaching that the world is forgiven before they believe it and, at the same time, most go to hell because they do not believe this fact that ...See More
- Steven Flo Keith, is it true you are aligning yourself to a small group of pastors and congregations , maybe 6 or 7, that used to be a in a larger group of 15 or so? And that group of 15 or so broke in half because your group denied Universal Objective Justifica...See More
Brenda Shedron Pastor Flo, not sure where you are going with "aligning yourself to a small group".
I have been taught the same thing all of my life, but to clarify that I hadn't forgotten something that I don't see in scripture, I sought clarification from a current ...See More
- Brenda Shedron "Now, since it is necessary to believe this, and it cannot be otherwise acquired or apprehended by any work, law, or merit, it is clear and certain that this faith alone justifies us as St. Paul says, Rom. 3:28: For we conclude that a man is justified by faith, without the deeds of the Law. Likewise 3:26: That He might be just, and the Justifier of him which believeth in Christ."
Smalcald Articles Part II Article 1:4
David Jay Webber It all depends, of course, on what someone means by "UOJ." There have been some clumsy and imbalanced ways of explaining this doctrine in the past which no one should defend today. But the various ways in which Luther explained and taught it do not have "significant error." In fact, they do not have error at all. There are lots of examples of how Luther explained and proclaimed these things in this paper, if anyone is interested:http://www.redeemerscottsdale.org/.../WebberEmmausConfere...
- David Jay Webber "Now, since it is necessary to believe this, and it cannot be otherwise acquired or apprehended by any work, law, or merit, it is clear and certain that this faith alone justifies us..." Exactly true. But this begs the question. Objective justification is about the "this" that is necessary to believe. It is not an alternative to the believing.
- Keith Shedron Stunning. I wonder if some sort of mass insanity is the cause? Whatever the cause, it is obvious that UOJ is an idol for a select group, one that they will not give it up under any circumstance. I would call that a "hardening". It saddens me a great deal that this abomination has crept into the Church and that it is being taught to people. Lord have mercy on your church.
- David Jay Webber Calling the completed gospel that is presented in the means of grace to be believed by penitent sinners, "an abomination," is really stunning.
Gregory L. Jackson I agree with Dr. Luther and Dr. Robert Preus. Webber and Flo - you have no grasp of Lutheran doctrine, the work of the Holy Spirit in the Word, or the key passages. You impose the Rambach-Stephan-Walther nonsense on the Word of God. You are blinded, hardened false prophets.
- David Jay Webber But other than that, we are still nice guys
Steven Flo Jay, no doubt we'll wrestle another day on a different topic, but today....we are on the same team. The paper you sent (above) dealing with UOJ is excellent.
You said: "We cannot use passages that treat objective justification to prove or disprove subjective justification, and we cannot use passages that treat subjective justification to prove or disprove objective justification. We cannot become one- dimensional in our teaching, so that we ignore either the objective or the subjective side of the whole doctrine of justification."
Theology is the art of making distinctions. You have done a wonderful job on this topic! There is a clear biblical distinction between general justification that is declared to the world and the personal justification that is received by faith. Greg doesn't (or won't?) see it so he has fallen into this one-dimensional thinking and brought Keith down with him...so that Keith is now uttering stunning statements. How heart breaking and sad.
- Steven Flo And I talked to Robert Preus about Objective Justification when I was at Fort Wayne and He fully supported it. The Preus quote that Greg placed above is merely a quote affirming personal justification when a person receives it by faith. Who doesn't agree with that?
- Steven Flo How sad to take one biblical truth (i.e. justification by faith) which speaks of personally receiving the Gospel... and... using that truth to destroy the Gospel (i.e. that God has justified or reconciled the world to Himself through Christ). Dear Lord, take away the blindness.
Gregory L. Jackson So you think UOJ is the Chief Article? And agree with the Pietists Rambach, Webber, and Knapp?
- Steven Flo Ok, I'll answer your question. Then please answer mine.
I don't know Ramback or Knapp. I do know Jay Webber and what he says on UOJ...and he is right. He is right in line with the Word, Luther, and the Confessions.
- Steven Flo Thank you for the info. So what is the Gospel to you in a sentence? How would you speak it to a dying man who said, "I know you have to have faith to get to heaven. I'm just not sure I have enough to get there."
- Keith Shedron So, wasn't Walther saying that the first "general justification" was not complete and needed the addition of a decision by me?
- Gregory L. Jackson General and Objective are the same. General in German does not mean the Atonement but universal, each and everyone is justified. As Ed Preuss said, the Hottentotts and the Hindu too.
- Keith Shedron Steven Flo I certainly have been reading material from sources other than the LCMS as much of the LCMS is obviously in error about justification. That said, the church we currently have membership with is LCMS, which we do not attend. The pastor teache...See More
Ron Pederson A question for those who deny UOJ would be: So God has not forgiven my sins but if I believe He has, then they are forgiven?
- Steven Flo I agree with the statements by Knapp, Ramback, Walther, Webber's paper, Luther whom I've quoted, the Scriptures which have guided all of them to agree with the fact that the entire world is reconciled (2Cor5:19) or Justified (Rom. 5:18). I don't care if the devil said it or even you Greg, I'd agree with it because it is true according to the Word.
- Steven Flo Now Greg, I answered your question. Will you answer mine. What is the Gospel to you in one sentence. More specifically, how would you speak the Gospel to man who was dying and who said, "I know you have to have faith to get to heaven, I just don't know if I have enough faith to get me there."
- Steven Flo Good question Ron. Your question hits the nail on the head. I appears they are teaching the Gospel to be: "I believe that if I believe then I'll be forgiven."
- Gregory L. Jackson Funny how UOJists admire each other's talking points from seminary, but you do not know the Scriptures at all. Romans 4 is a chapter on justification by faith, just as Romans 3 is. Christ died for the sins of the world and we are counted righteous IF WE BELIEVE in Him who raised Him from the dead.
- Steven Flo Then Keith, tell me what your Gospel is? What would you say to he dying man who said, "I know you have to have faith to get to heaven. I just don't now if I have enough to get me there."
- Steven Flo So Greg, what is the Gospel to you in a sentence? How would you speak it to a dying man who said, "I know I have to have faith to get to heaven. I just don't know if I have enough faith to get me there." ?
- Gregory L. Jackson I made that clear above, Steve. You really need to study Romans 3-5 and the Formula of Concord, Article III, The Righteousness of Faith. You and Webber disagree with Chemnitz and agree with Rambach. Shame on you. The Apology's section on justification by faith would also help you, unless you continue to hide behind classroom quips from the 1980s. Here is Luther's answers to the charge of being a faithian.
- Keith Shedron What is the Gospel? We have played this game in our email exchange. You asked and I supplied a rather in depth answer, along with the following, yet you responded by asking me what the gospel was, indicating that you did not recognize it when you saw it. The Gospel is "I baptize you, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." "Take and eat, this is my body; take and drink, this is my blood." The Gospel is that, through His appointed means, God has taken away all of our sins and declared us to be saints while giving us faith to grasp that loving action. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.? Notice that "believeth" thing...
- Steven Flo The Gospel is "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son." That is the general or objective Gospel = God loving and reconciling the world to Himself through Christ. That Gospel goes forward through the Word and Sacrament and crea...See More
- Keith Shedron No, I don't see that at all. You make "believe it" a mandate. Are you seriously saying that you could not point a dying person to their baptism?????
- Keith Shedron You put the burden of "believing" on the dying person and then call it the gospel???? The world is turned upside down!
- Keith Shedron What gives faith to a dying person is God's Word and Sacraments! You seriously don't believe that?
- Steven Flo The "it" they are to believe is: the world is forgiven. Not what you are saying Keith, "The world can be forgiven if they believe it."
- Steven Flo The Word that gives faith through Word and Sacrament is, "You and the entire world are forgiven". That Word creates faith. You Keith and Greg, on the other hand, have a gospel that says, "You and the world can be forgiven if you believe it." You make "faith" a requirement before God can say that He forgives you. That is the error!
- Keith Shedron Faith is created by God, through his appointed means, and in no other way. Telling someone to "have faith" is a blatant sin. You deny this and I cannot express the sadness that I have over that.
- Steven Flo His means declare something! They declare, "You and the whole world are forgiven! Believe it so you may receive it." You and Greg, on the other hand, have a different gospel which says, "You and the others can be forgiven if you believe it." Your Gospel is conditional. The real Gospel is not.
- Gregory L. Jackson For the Pietists of Halle, the Gospel was Universal Absolution, and that is also the message of ELCA. That is why LCMS and WELS and ELCA can have a joint ministry conference this month, arranged by WELS Pastor Mark Jeske. Every time Steve Flo mentions the Gospel, it is not the Atonement but Universal Absolution.
- Gregory L. Jackson The Atonement and Justification by Faith are distinct. The preaching of the Atonement is the action of the Holy Spirit in the Word creating and sustaining faith.
- Steven Flo For God to reconcile the entire world to Himself is the same as saying God has made atonement for the world world. God is "at-one-ment" with the world through Christ. So now you, be at-one-ment with Him. Or...the same is said when the Scriptures tells us that God is reconciled with the world (objective)...so now you be reconciled to Him (subjective).
- Gregory L. Jackson No Steve, the Book of Concord and the Scriptures are clear. No one declared the entire world forgiven and you have not one hint of it in the Scriptures, only in Huber, Rambach, and the Calvinist translator of Knapp. Knapp said it in German too. But OJ and SJ came from the Calvinist translator. Luther's treasure analogy is very good.
- Steven Flo I'm sorry you think this way Greg. We are not going to agree and I'm going to have to mark and warn people about your false theology. This discussion is pretty much over.
I am interested, however, in a book I head about that you have written. It has something to do with Jesus having faith for us. Can you give me the web address for it. I want to explore that.
- Gregory L. Jackson It will be in print soon. Much of the work is on the blog now. You disagree with Paul, Luther, the Concordists, and Gerhard. I agree with them. You simply avoid dealing with justification by faith except for cute sayings from seminary days.
- Steven Flo LOL. Greg you silly man. Away with you and the devil now with your spitting and hissing. You remind me of a sassy little kitten. I'll hope for better in your new book.
Steven Flo LOL! You really insist on having the final word don't you! It's so silly! (Let's see how far we can go with this).
