How did Luther say: Only Faith?

[guanophore]

Guanophore:

I am curious as to the source for the quote “snow covered dunghills.” I have searched Luther’s works extensively and cannot find it in any of his writings. I think, although I might be wrong, that this is one of those apocryphal sayings that has a life of its own.

Good to hear from you Pastor Gary!

You are right, this concept is not an exact quote of Luther to my knowledge. There are several references in Luther’s works to the concept of our works and our nature being as dung in His eyes. One of these is found in “Werke (Wittenberg Edition), Vol. III, p. 518. This refers to the edition of Luther’s works, published in Wittenberg: 12 volumes in German (1539-1559) and seven volumes in Latin (1545-1558).

It is likely that Luther echoes Psalm 51, which mentions being washed by grace being “whiter than snow” (51:7; RSV). Luther wrote a commentary on Psalm 51, which is included in the 55-volume English edition of Luther’s Works, known as “LW” (edited by Jaroslav Pelikan et al; Pelikan also translates this piece): Volume 12: 303-410.

Luther provides the analogy of man as a “dunghill” (assuming the authenticity of the above citation) and Scripture gives us the metaphor of snow washing away our sins. If we put the two together, we can arrive at the same idea. But you are correct that it is not an exact quote. It is more properly a paraphrase of his thought. The metaphor of snow comes from Ps 51:7: Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Hence, man the “dunghill” (Luther’s excessive extrapolation) can be covered in “snow” (inspired Scripture) after repentance and achieve justification (according to Protestant theology). According to Luther and classic Protestant soteriology of imputed, extrinsic justification, he remains this dunghill and is merely covered up by God’s declaratory justification.

Aside from the lack of an exact quote, do you find this characterization of Luther’s theology correct?

 

[QNDNNDQDCE]

Guanophore:

I am curious as to the source for the quote “snow covered dunghills.” I have searched Luther’s works extensively and cannot find it in any of his writings. I think, although I might be wrong, that this is one of those apocryphal sayings that has a life of its own.

I recall a Protestant blogger saying a Luther scholar told him he had really seen the quote in the Table Talks, but the blogger was unable to track down the specific source. Regardless, if Luther did not say it, it is an accurate summary of his doctrine of justification. In fact, I have heard it most often used by Protestants (usually attributing it to Luther) as a summary of what they believe. It is not a quote that malicious Catholics made up to caricature Luther. I hope no one has that impression.

Did Luther realized that grace is a homogeneous reality?

Did he realize that grace, like the physical substance water, has many properties and each grace includes faith, hope, love, wisdom, power, beauty and the like?

Did Luther realize that righteousness was in Abraham’s inner person?

Look up the Law-Gospel Distinction.

lutherantheology.wordpress.com/2011/04/26/a-brief-introduction-to-law-gospel/

Ironically, this way of thinking ends up making the Gospels more “law” than Gospel.

 

[Porknpie]

Guanophore:

I am curious as to the source for the quote “snow covered dunghills.” I have searched Luther’s works extensively and cannot find it in any of his writings. I think, although I might be wrong, that this is one of those apocryphal sayings that has a life of its own.

Pastor -

My current theology professor at the Augustine Institute commented a couple of weeks ago that Luther never said the above quote.

PnP

 

[JonNC]

Jon, what happens when a Lutheran does not make works a necessary part of his life?

In the Catholic church if he doesn’t then he loses his holiness, not that of being a child of God, but his holiness in the eyes of God.

May the Lord bless and keep you.

Hi Fred

From our confessions:

1. We believe, teach, and confess also that all men, but those especially who are born again and renewed by the Holy Ghost, are bound to do good works.

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1. Accordingly, we also believe, teach, and confess that when it is said: The regenerate do good works from a free spirit, this is not to be understood as though it is at the option of the regenerate man to do or to forbear doing good when he wishes, and that he can nevertheless retain faith if he intentionally perseveres in sins.

While works do not justify, from the Lutheran POV, they are a necessary part of the life of the regenerate. When the confessions say “bound” it means more than just “certain”.

The link between saving faith and works is clear, or as Luther says,

Thus faith is a divine work in us, that changes us and regenerates us of God, and puts to death the old Adam, makes us entirely different men in heart, spirit, mind, and all powers, and brings with it [confers] the Holy Ghost. Oh, it is a living, busy, active, powerful thing that we have in faith, so that it is impossible for it not to do good without ceasing. 11] Nor does it ask whether good works are to be done; but before the question is asked, it has wrought them, and is always engaged in doing them. But he who does not do such works is void of faith, and gropes and looks about after faith and good works, and knows neither what faith nor what good works are, yet babbles and prates with many words concerning faith and good works. 12] [Justifying] faith is a living, bold [firm] trust in God’s grace, so certain that a man would die a thousand times for it [rather than suffer this trust to be wrested from him]. And this trust and knowledge of divine grace renders joyful, fearless, and cheerful towards God and all creatures, which [joy and cheerfulness] the Holy Ghost works through faith; and on account of this, man becomes ready and cheerful, without coercion, to do good to every one, to serve every one, and to suffer everything for love and praise to God, who has conferred this grace on him,** so that it is impossible to separate works from faith, yea, just as impossible as it is for heat and light to be separated from fire.**

Jon

 

[Jim_Baur]

Jesus Christ came to save all people!

Let us for this post say: those that believe are saved.

He has given us a New Life.

He has also covered us in His Love.

We put on Jesus Christ over our New Person.

Our Old Dung Heap and our Filthy Rags no longer exist. We are a New Person and have put on Jesus Christ.

New Person is no longer a Dung Heap.

Putting on Jesus Christ and our dress has been changed from Filthy Rags to love, kindness, understanding, compassion and the like.