Old wine in new bottles – change vs. continuation in Martin Luther’s theology
Journal Title: Notes Muzyczny - Year 2017, Vol 2, Issue 8
Abstract
The breakthrough impact of Martin Luther’s theological discovery of 1517 and its influence on the development of modern humanities have been frequently emphasised in the jubilee year of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Noticing the inventiveness of Luther’s theology of the cross as opposed to the Medieval theology of glory, the author of the article wishes to point out how Luther’s way of thinking about theology was rooted in the Medieval tradition of the Rhine area. The author argues with the common conviction that Luther, and all Reformation with him, placed God in the centre of theological reflection rather than human. Just the opposite, soteriologically reorienting theology and neurotically searching for the answer to the question “How can I find gracious God?”, what Luther really did was answering the question about the meaning of temporal life and about eternal life of a Christian. In theology of the Reformation, God is not a Being whose nature has to be described or fathomed. He is the Saviour who by his cross reaches out to the man drowning in sin, hoists and saves him. The theology of the cross contradicts the theology of glory as it does not seek for earthly proofs of God’s power but instead it is solicitous about repentant sinners. In his article, Łukasz Barański describes the process how Martin Luther made his Reformation discoveries and analyses the development of Luther’s thoughts in his early works, especially First Lecture with the Book of Psalms (Dictata super Psalterium, 1513–1515), The 95 Theses (1517) and The Heidelberg Disputation (1518). The latter work marked a fundamental break both for the Reformation movement and for the evolution of Luther’s views. Transformation of notions of Medieval mysticism in order to restore basic meanings of various aspects of a man’s religious life as part of the Reformation is also clearly visible in The Freedom of a Christian (1520). In this treatise, the life of a Christian is defined through faith. That time was also the period when Luther wrote Sermons on the Passion of Christ, which are also touched on in the article and in which he used Medieval categories of mystical theology to describe a man’s life with God in faith. Evidence of the process taking place in Luther’s theology is also his Sermon on Preparing to Die (1519), in which elements of the “new” as well as “old” way of thinking can be found. Lutheran theology of the cross and teachings on common priesthood of the faithful influenced the development of modern humane studies, revaluing various areas of existence of Christians in the world. Professional work, creative effort and material success and social advancement of the faithful connected with them became an expression of God’s blessing. Ideas of such a type are present in songs usually sung by the faithful and pervade the works of outstanding composers writing music for the reformed Church.<br/><br/>
Authors and Affiliations
Łukasz Barański
Keywords
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