Something from .... Martin Luther on the New Testament

Martin Luther (1483-1546) wrote a treatise called "On the Bondage of the Will" as a response to a treatise by a Dutch scholar named Erasmus (1466-1536) which promoted the idea of the free will of mankind.  In particular, Erasmus argued that man is free to choose to be good and to come to God.  Luther strongly refuted that claim (more on that in future posts), resulting in "On the Bondage of the Will."  Luther considered it one of the few things he wrote which was worthy of preserving.


This particular entry of Luther sums up what Christians can expect to find in the New Testament for the benefit of salvation and Christian living. 


"In the New Testament, the gospel is preached and this is just the word that offers the Spirit and grace for the remission of sins which was procured for us by Christ crucified.  It is all entirely free, given by the mercy of God the Father alone as He shows His favour towards us, who are unworthy, and who deserve condemnation rather than anything else.  Exhortations follows (sic) after this; and they are intended to stir up those who have obtained mercy and have been justified already, to be energetic in bringing forth the fruits of the Spirit and of the righteousness given them, to exercise themselves in love and good works, and boldly to bear the cross and all the other tribulations of this world.  This is the whole sum of the New Testament." (p 180, The Bondage of the Will, translated by J. I. Packer and O. R. Johnston, Baker Academics: Grand Rapids, MI.  (c) 1957.)