Monday, November 23, 2020

Stephen Finlan on Jesus' Theology vs. Luther's Theology

 

  

Luther Contrasted with Jesus

 

Luther’s hyper-pessimistic view stands in sharp contrast with Jesus’ teaching that people can honestly discern and do the will of God: “Anyone who resolves to do the will of God will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own” (John 7:17). In fact, “whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother” (Mark 3:25). Instead of calling people helpless sinners, Jesus says they can “be children of the Most High," "can be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:35-36). How is it that so many people have accepted Luther’s gloomy view, when Jesus says just the opposite?

 

The honest heart needs to be rediscovered by Christians. For too long, many Christians have accepted Luther’s cynicism, his rejection of even the possibility of someone being a good person. Luther insists “the just man sins in every good work” but Jesus says “The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good” (Luke 6:45). And in case that isn’t clear enough, he says some people will “heart the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance” (Luke 8:15).

 

How much clearer could it be? We are to receive the word in an honest heart! Jesus is not fantasizing. He is talking about the process of receiving truth and bearing spiritual fruit. This is not the logic of substitutionary death or violent “payment” for sin. Rather, it is the sensible process of people joyously receiving the life and the guidance that their spiritual Parent generously offers.

 

If Jesus thought that people were totally evil, why would he call himself the “Son of Man,” identifying himself with “man”? Why would he say “Blessed are the pure in heart” (Matt 5:8) if he thought no one was pure in heart? Jesus shows us the best of what a human being can be, affirming the possibility of sincere and honest relationship with the heavenly Father. He exhorts us to “hunger and thirst for righteousness” (Matt 5:6). Obviously, then, people really can hunger for what is right. This contradicts the notion that people are wholly depraved, a doctrine that leads to religious bullying and the shaming of children. Christianity has been damaged—people have been damaged—by the cruel teaching and parenting that results from this shame-based theology. It is time to outgrow the anti-humanitarian attitude that has poisoned Christianity.

 

Luther’s extreme cynicism is simply irreconcilable with Jesus’ positive teachings. On this point, believers need to choose between Jesus and Luther. Whom do you believe? (Stephen Finlan, Salvation Not Purchased: Overcoming the Ransom Idea to Rediscover the Original Gospel Teaching [Eugene, Oreg.: Cascade Books, 2020], 58-59)