Free Will! One
of my favorites! The notion of man’s “free
will” is as common among the Christian church as any; it’s almost assumed. And while the Reformers do speak of man
having freedom to choose “civil righteousness” (like whether or not to obey the
speed limit), the Lutheran confession is clear that there is no “free will” in
spiritual matters. That is to say, by
our own reason or strength, our will is incapable of accepting anything of
God. Apart from the Holy Spirit working
through the Gospel, we are bound to sin and darkness, and not free at all. But through the Holy Spirit, who calls,
gathers, enlightens and sanctified, do are made new, and receive a will that
desires the things of God. Enjoy what
you find!
Collect
of the Week (Proper 16-C)
O Lord,
You have called us to enter Your kingdom through the narrow door. Guide us by
Your Word and Spirit, and lead us now and always into the feast of Your Son,
Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now
and forever.
Article
XVII (Christ’s Return for Judgment)
1
Our churches teach that a person’s will has some freedom to choose civil
righteousness and to do things subject to reason. 2 It has no
power, without the Holy Spirit, to work the righteousness of God, that is,
spiritual righteousness. For “the natural person does not accept the things of
the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 2:14). 3 This righteousness
is worked in the heart when the Holy Spirit is received through the Word
[Galatians 3:2–6].
4
This is what Augustine says in his Hypognosticon,
Book III:
We grant that all people have a free will. It is free
as far as it has the judgment of reason. This does not mean that it is able,
without God, either to begin, or at least to complete, anything that has to do
with God. It is free only in works of this life, whether good or evil. 5
Good I call those works that spring from the good in nature, such as willing to
labor in the field, to eat and drink, to have a friend, to clothe oneself, to
build a house, to marry a wife, to raise cattle, to learn various useful arts,
or whatsoever good applies to this life. 6 For all of these
things depend on the providence of God. They are from Him and exist through
Him. 7 Works that are willing to worship an idol, to commit
murder, and so forth, I call evil.
8
Our churches condemn the Pelagians and others who teach that without the Holy
Spirit, by natural power alone, we are able to love God above all things and do
God’s commandments according to the letter. 9 Although nature
is able in a certain way to do the outward work (for it is able to keep the
hands from theft and murder), yet it cannot produce the inward motions, such as
the fear of God, trust in God, chastity, patience, and so on. (Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions.
Edited by Paul Timothy McCain. St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 2005,
S. 40).
Note:
By the time of the
Reformation, the Roman Church had fully developed a false and potentially
damning doctrine, one that stated that a person is able, to some degree, to
strive for and receive God’s mercy. Article XVIII asserts Scripture’s teaching
that people, apart from God’s grace, are wholly incapable of perceiving
spiritual things. The longest quote from a Church Father in the Augsburg Confession
occurs here. It demonstrates Lutheranism’s continuity with the Church
catholic—in contrast to Roman error on this doctrine. Augustine echoes the
Bible’s teaching that while we humans can perform acts of civil righteousness,
which may be called “good,” spiritually we are evil and enemies of God.
However, in Christ, our loving God breaks down the wall of hostility separating
us from Him. By His Spirit, through His Word, He gives us Christ’s perfect
righteousness as a gift. In external, worldly matters we do have the freedom to
make decisions according to human reason, but this does not mean, apart from
God’s grace, that we have similar powers in matters of eternal life. (See also Ap XVIII; FC Ep
II and SD II.)
(Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions. Edited by Paul Timothy McCain. St. Louis,
MO: Concordia Publishing House, 2005, S. 40).
Prayer
Almighty, everlasting God, for our
many sins we justly deserve eternal condemnation. In Your mercy You sent Your
dear Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who won for us forgiveness of sins and
everlasting salvation. Grant us a true confession that, dead to sin, we may be
raised up by Your life-giving absolution. Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may
be ever watchful and live true and godly lives in Your service; through Jesus
Christ, our Lord (LSB, collect #153).
Daily Prayer (For Friday)
We pray…for the preaching of the holy cross of our Lord
Jesus Christ and for the spread of His knowledge throughout the whole world;
for the persecuted and oppressed; for the sick and dying.
No comments:
Post a Comment