Documents

In 1533, Luther lectured on Psalm 127. While the psalm is relatively short, Luther's lecture is full of deep insights into the origin, shape, and purpose of the Christian life in this world in the political sphere and in the home. Click on the image below to read my translation of the complete lecture.

In the 1520s, Luther began teaching what later became known as the doctrine of the two kingdoms. In essence, this doctrine captures how God governs the world and how human beings relate to God and to each other. To present this doctrine in the context of Luther's theology as a whole, I've written a book titled God's Masks. In addition to presenting what Luther has to say about this doctrine, God's Masks also discusses what three important German Lutheran theologians from the 20th century--Werner Elert, Paul Althaus, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer--have to say about this doctrine before and during the rule of National Socialism. God's Masks offers helpful, and perhaps even surprising, insights into what it means to live as a Christian in today's society. Feel free to download and study this book by clicking on the image below.

In 1523, Luther wrote not only his seminal treatise on the origin and limits of government. He also wrote a treatise on the Jewish origin of the Savior of the world, Jesus of Nazareth. In the treatise, Luther explains various Old Testament texts as prophecy that was fulfilled in the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of this Jesus. He also provides practical advice on how Christians should live with Jews who do not believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah promised in the Old Testament. Unlike in his later writings, where he took a harsh stance against Jews living in Germany, the Luther of 1523 advocated for integrating Jews into society and dealing with them in Christian love and patience.  Feel free to download and read this important text by clicking on the image below.

In 1532, Luther lectured on Psalm 45, discussing the nature of the kingdom of Christ. Commenting on verse 6, Luther contrasted the spiritual kingdom of Christ with the kingdoms of this world. Part of this distinction is the importance equity plays for life in this world. Click on the image below to read my translation of this key text.

Love--not justice or submission--is the fulfillment and summary of God's law according to Romans 13:8-10. What does that mean? In 1525, Luther preached a sermon on this key text in the entire bible that summarizes all exhortations to follow God's law in the bible. As Luther explained, love as the law's summary means that--as far as life in this world is concerned--every law should be set aside and silenced to the extent it conflicts with love--Luther calls love the "chief law" and "empress over the law" and likens it to the virtue of prudence--to avoid or minimize harm to the neighbor. After carefully distinguishing faith and love, Luther concludes this sermon by a beautiful summary of what it means to love the neighbor with everything one has and is. Click on the image below to read and download this sermon.

Luther is known as a theologian who emphasized justification by grace through faith in Christ and who by doing so reformed the visible church on earth. Yet Luther was also a theologian who prayed and who emphasized prayer. To expand on what Luther taught on prayer in his two catechisms and in his treatise A Simple Way to Pray, I've translated selected passages on prayer from Luther's 1537 sermons on John 14 and 16. There, Luther followed Christ's lead and located Christian prayer where it belongs: in the time after Christ's ascension when Christians live on earth the midst of the adversities. Click on the image below to download and read what Luther has to say about prayer in Christ's name based on John 14 and 16.