Outline Luther's theological principle of sola scriptura (by the Bible alone), and assess its theological importance

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Outline Luther’s theological principle of sola scriptura

(by the Bible alone), and assess its theological importance

In the sixteenth century there was a great deal of variety in theology, more than ever before, with the emergence of humanism and fundamentally due to the Reformation.  The cause of the Reformation was the prevailing situation in the Roman Catholic Church, which had been developing during the previous centuries and consisted of discontent with the accumulating wealth and abuses of the hierarchy.  The peasants, the majority, were inarticulately anti-clerical and anti-papal, whilst the minority of educated were the Christian Humanists who initiated their own reforms.  Many scholars believe Luther not to be the cause of the Reformation, agreeing that this would have occurred sooner or later without him, although many regard him as the ‘catalyst’ of the Reformation.  However, Young contradicts this by identifying Luther as “the father of the European Reformation”.  Regardless, Luther’s importance is indubitable when studying scholarly writings regarding him and this is due to the great significance of his theology, such as the principle of sola scriptura.  Prior to this the Catholic hierarchy believed itself to have exclusive understanding and knowledge of the Bible thus giving it an infallible status as an essential part of one’s search for salvation.  Contrastingly, Luther taught, “Scripture alone is the true Lord and master of all writings and doctrine on earth”.  This is Luther’s theological principle of sola scriptura, by the Bible alone, making it the sole authority of Christian doctrine and practice.  Through this principle Luther “sought to free it from arbitrary interpretation through fixed morns” in teaching that the individual could reach an understanding of the Bible not through the aid of the Church but through inspiration from the Holy Spirit when reading the Bible.    Whilst this theological principle of sola scriptura may appear simple such a sweeping statement would be incorrect due to the principle’s vast consequences.  From analysis of these direct and indirect consequences it will be concluded that Luther’s principle was of the utmost theological importance.  I will also strive to demonstrate sola scriptura’s wider importance in that it had far reaching effects, both theologically and in other respects, such as politically.

Luther reached his teaching of sola scriptura gradually.  It was in 1518 when he met Cardinal Cajetan in Augsburg that Luther made his first statements regarding the principle by placing the Bible above the Pope.  However, he diminished the gravity of such an assertion by admitting the authority of the Council as equal to that of Scripture in the hope this would sway a decision in his favour.  The following year Luther expressed his position more strongly by declaring at the Leipzig Debate that the Ecumenical Councils had been mistaken in matters of faith and practice and that they were subordinate to Scripture.  By 1521 Luther’s popularity had grown so much that he could be seen to protected by it thus able to passionately declare to Von Eck that:

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“I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the word of G-d.  I cannot and I will not retract anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience”

Catholic scholars argue that Luther’s own feelings were not strong enough cause to justify such a drastic denouncement of tradition, as there was no objective way of determining the true interpretation of the Bible.  Thus, the above is indeed a firm declaration of sola scriptura, by the Bible Alone, consequently an affirmation against the Catholic Church.  However, this can also lead to ...

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