 |
| Why is only 15% of a book written by Luther and yet is called Luther's Large Catechism? We will be teaching Luther's Large Catechism itself, not as the ruminations of a horde of dyspeptic men and prating women. The sermon quotations will continue both in the masthead and now also in the body of the blog, so people can take advantage of the RSS feed. |
Oculi - Luther's Sermon on a Kingdom Divided, Luke 11:14-23
17. But when the stronger man, the Gospel, comes, peace flees, and he rages like a madman, for he resents being condemned, unmasked, punished, and publicly branded. Then he gathers up his armor, the powerful, wise, rich and holy people, and sets them all to attacking God’s Word, as we see in the persecution of the teachers of the Gospel. Such rage and persecution signify that the devil retires very unwillingly and raves in his whole body; for as he acts in the body and its members when he must depart, so he also behaves in the whole world, resisting with all his power when he is to give place to the Gospel; but it is all in vain, he must be expelled.
18. For a Stronger One, that is, Christ, comes and overpowers him and takes away his whole armor, that is, he converts some of those same persecutors, and to that extent makes him weaker, and his own kingdom stronger. He divides the spoils too, that is, those he converts he uses for various offices, graces, and works in Christendom, of which Paul writes in Romans 12:6. He is also in the court yard or ante-room of the palace, for the devil’s kingdom consists in outward appearances and pretenses of wisdom, holiness, and strength; but when it is captured by the Gospel it is found to consist of pure folly, sin and weakness.
 |
| Luther was mocked wearing St. Patrick's livery and a bishop's hat at ELCA's Wartburg Seminary. |
