Luther's Lively Theology

Martin Luther's Small Catechism is the template and springboard for this book, the purpose of which is to add to what Luther teaches in the Small Catechism and to fill in its blanks, as it were, by expanding on the catechism, theme by theme, with over 400 quotations from other works by Luther along with 50 quotations by other authors or speakers. In addition, this book identifies the background of the five major parts of the catechism and addresses issues that are not addressed in the catechism. Luther's theology of the cross, and its dispute with what he calls "the theology of glory," runs all through Luther's theology, most often without being identified as such. And it runs throughout his comments quoted here. One might say, as he once wrote, "The cross alone is our theology." It is a theology that addresses the question: "What enables us to become right with God?" Is it obeying God's law? Is it faithful religious practice? Is it standing up for justice? Is it doing to others what we would have others do to us? Is it simply trying our best? In contrast to the assumption that such positive actions bring us into a right relationship to God (an aspect of the theology of glory), Luther would say that none of these fine things can put us right with God. No matter how hard we try, we don't measure up. In Luther's own words: "It is certain that a human being must utterly despair of his or her own ability before being prepared to receive the grace of Christ."