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| Chemnitz was the senior editor of the Book of Concord, a genius who began his academic work by casting horoscopes. That put him in an excellent private library, which allowed him to become an expert in the early Church Fathers. He abandoned horoscopes completely. He studied under Luther and Melanchthon and worked diligently to unite the Lutheran witness to truth. He is ignored entirely by the LCMS-ELCA-WELS-ELS today. |
Pastor James Shrader
October 31 at 10:28 PM ·
Nearly everyone either knows or has heard of Martin Luther. But few really know who was the second 'Martin' of the Reformation. His name was Martin Chemnitz. Both men taught and lived by faith alone. And they made it so simple to understand that man is justified by faith alone. And yet clever theologians came along and screwed with the common Christian's mind teaching that "ALL people, whether they believe it or not, are justified before God and have all their sins forgiven...and whether they know it or not, ALL people have had their sins absolved (forgiven) by God Himself." This is commonly known as Universal Objective Justification. Then these clever theologians try to explain why all people are saved and some people are saved at the same time, which is impossible to do unless God changes His mind.
Therefore, let the second Martin help you. Chemnitz had written his own handbook on the Ministry, Word, and Sacraments called "An Enchiridion" in which he poses certain questions and gives his answers that are found in the Bible. Such as: #148 But, what, then, is the righteousness that faith brings to the judgment seat of God, that God might justify the miserable sinner because of it?" Answer "...For before anyone might render that righteousness of new obedience, it is necessary that the person be reconciled to God, that he be justified by God. 1 John 2:29....And since this righteousness of Christ, rendered for us, is perfect, sufficient and abundant and can stand before the judgment seat of God, therefore God has promised that He would impute it to believers just as if they had rendered it themselves. Romans 3:22; 4:23-25; 5:18."
Now Chemnitz asks in #149: "Are all men justified and saved because of this righteousness of the Son of God?" Answer: "The way is broad that leads to damnation, and there are many that walk in it." Matthew 7:13.
So think about what is taught in this clever Universal Objective Justification doctrine and try with all your might to say that it is God's Word that says that all people are saved and justified before faith, whether they know it or not. And then come to the understanding that the simple answer is no, indeed. The answer will always turn up in the Bible that man is justified by faith alone! And then come to the understanding that Jesus taught Nicodemus in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever BELIEVES in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
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| Chemnitz quoted this Origen statement. |
