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Catechesis

The Sixth Commandment: You shall not commit adultery.

Being Instructed by the Ten Commandments

The Sixth Commandment: You shall not commit adultery.

In the 6th Commandment, we are taught to protect God’s gift of marriage. We are learning to regard the gift of marriage and life as holy. Thus, we are struggling against a culture that does not believe in the sanctity of life or the sanctity of marriage. Here we see the clear connection between the 4th, 5th, and 6th Commandments. From the gift of a father and a mother, we obtain the gift of life. From the gift of the marital union, we obtain the gift of life. Our own consciences bear witness that it is wrong in God’s sight to despise our parents and other authorities, to murder the unborn, and to commit sexual sin outside of God’s institution of marriage. However, the corrupted culture tries to silence our troubled consciences by speaking louder and crying out against the authorities established by God, conception given by God, and sexual intimacy in marriage ordered by God. Thus, the wisdom of the world yells, “Rebellion! Abortion! Same Sex Marriage!” The devil hates the institutions and gifts of God. The world tries to catechize us through the media, movies, and music.

The Apostle Paul warns the baptized saying, “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals. Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God” (1 Corinthians 15:33–34). Now to us who have been given the knowledge of God in Christ, we are growing in our understanding of our salvation from sin and death. Christ is our Catechist.

As sheep of the Good Shepherd who laid down His life to save us and make us His Holy People, we know His voice. Through the mouth of the Apostle Paul we hear Jesus’ voice instructing us: “Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires” (Romans 13:13–14). Instead of walking in the flesh, we are called to walk in the Spirit.

In Holy Baptism, we are promised the gift of the Holy Spirit who continues to be poured out on us through the Word of God. Our heavenly Father “gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word and lead godly lives” (Small Catechism, The Lord’s Prayer: 2nd Petition). We are learning to keep God’s Name holy in our bodies by fleeing from sexual immorality, “which profanes the name of God among us” (Small Catechism, The Lord’s Prayer: 1st Petition). By the power of the Holy Spirit, we are starting to desire to do God’s will. “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God” (1 Thessalonians 4:3–5). As those who know God, we are learning to mortify the desires of the flesh, that is, put to death our sinful passions of our fallen flesh. Such sinful passions are made manifest in misusing our bodies in sexual sin.

In the 6th chapter of Paul’s first letter to the baptized in Corinth we are instructed on how to keep the 6th commandment. The Apostle warns us that the sexually immoral, the idolaters, adulterers, and those who practice homosexuality will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9–10). It is true that sin will remain in the baptized, but it must not reign in the baptized who have been washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 6:11). Our bodies have been redeemed by Christ. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. Thus, we should flee sexual immorality which is the sin one commits against his or her own body. Our bodies belong to Christ who purchased it with His own blood. The body of the baptized is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we should glorify God in our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). The Holy Spirit is instructing us to walk in newness of life in which we fear and love God so that we lead a sexually pure and decent life in what we say and do.

But most profoundly, when it comes to God’s gift of marriage, we are given a picture of Christ, who is the Bridegroom, and the Church, who is His Bride. Jesus loves the Church and gave Himself up for her so that He might sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing of water and the word, that is, Holy Baptism (Ephesians 5:25–27)

Through Holy Baptism Jesus makes each of us presentable to Himself, without spot, wrinkle, or blemish. He cleanses us from all our sins, even those against the 6th Commandment, and He enlivens us to live lives of faith in Him and of true love (not what the world peddles as love) toward our neighbor.

Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier serves as pastor at Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church, Los Alamos, NM

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Lectionary Meditations

Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord – A Meditation on Luke 5:8

By Rev. Eric Brown

“Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” Luke 5:8

Why was Peter so down and dour? He had just seen a miraculous catch of fish, one that broke nets. Shouldn’t he be jumping up and down with joy? And yet, there Peter is, on his knees before Jesus, asking Jesus to just get up and go somewhere else. Why?

At that moment Peter is not seeing primarily a loving God who gives great gifts. At that moment Peter is thinking of his own sin and lack. This is somewhat understandable. An entire night of his hard toil had gotten nothing; his works had been shown to be useless and in vain. Then there comes Jesus, and after preaching and teaching for a while, Jesus instructs Peter to go after fish at the absolute wrong time of day, when there would be no fish around. Everyone would know that what Jesus was instructing was utter folly – and yet, there’s the ginormous catch of fish. And at that moment Peter’s not seeing the greatness of God, Peter’s own futility and arrogance come crashing in upon him. I kneel here before this Man, who gave this catch after I told Him it was foolish. He is now going to rip into me and let me have it!

Not quite. Instead Jesus says, “Do not be afraid.” Then He tells Peter he’ll be catching men, he’ll be a disciple. But did you see how that worked? Sin and the fear that comes with it utterly warped how Peter viewed Jesus, viewed the blessings in his life. Peter, because of his sin, figured they were curses. But against that, Jesus tells Peter not to fear, for Jesus is there for Peter’s good.

As for us today, our own sinful flesh will constantly try to make us afraid of God. Our flesh will try to twist blessing after blessing into a sign of curse. Yet, even today, Christ Jesus speaks to us great words of love. Do not be afraid. Peace be with you. I forgive you. Jesus knows how your sinful flesh messes with you – that is why He catches you with His Word of forgiveness, and proclaims this forgiveness to you again and again. This is His great love for you.

Rev. Eric Brown is pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Herscher, Illinois and the co-host of the HT Gospeled Boldly Podcast.

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Articles Old Information

Fun Times at Higher Things: Thoughts from a Lutheran Pastor on Higher Things San Antonio

By Pastor Chris Hull

Vitamins and supplements are helpful in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It’s good to boost your immune system with some vitamin C, increase your happiness with good old vitamin D. But if you don’t eat right, exercise, and get enough sleep, all the vitamins in the world won’t help you. Vitamins are not healthy eating themselves, but rather they support a healthy lifestyle. Higher Things conferences are just this. They are not a replacement for a regular diet of Word and Sacrament at your local LCMS congregation but rather are a supplement. Higher Things conferences do not replace regular study of the Word of God and the Book of Concord, but rather they support you in your continual learning of what God says to His Church. Higher Things in San Antonio, Texas, was a fantastic supplement for myself and the youth of Zion Lutheran Church in Tomball, Texas.

First, the greatest supplement was the worship life. Four services a day, bookended by two Divine Services. The youth and I, along with our associate pastor and three other adult leaders, received the gifts of hearing the full Law and the pure Gospel preached by faithful LCMS pastors. We sang faithful hymnody, heard the Word of God read from Genesis to Revelation, and prayed the prayers of the Church catholic. We sang Matins, Vespers, Evening Prayer, and Compline every day. We received the Lord’s Supper and heard absolution from the pastor’s mouth as from Jesus Himself. The Worship life was a great supplement for all who are regularly attending the Divine Service at their congregation. We received Christ and Him crucified for our salvation at every single service and office. The Worship life was the highlight of the conference and was like a vitamin B12 shot for the conscience.

Second, was the plenary lectures based on the theme, “Here I Stand.” These lectures, four hours in time, took all who were there through the theology and life of Dr. Martin Luther of blessed and holy memory. Everyone learned the theology of not just Luther, but of the Lutheran Confessions as well. This is vital because the Church holds to the Scriptures (our guiding principle) and the Confessions (our guided principle), and these are the judge for all teaching and preaching. Pastor Goodman was fantastic in leading the assembly through the early years of Luther and the end of Luther’s life. He did this by calling all to see that our whole life is based not on our works, our merit, or our emotions, but rather it is founded on the grace of our Heavenly Father as revealed to us in the mercy of Christ Jesus our Lord. All the plenaries were overflowing with the grace of God, not in an abstract way, but concretely as they come to us in the means of grace: the Word and the Sacraments. The plenary lectures were fantastic, but more importantly they were faithful to the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions. In doing this, they were a great support of regular study of the Word.

Third, the breakaways were helpful. Everyone could choose different breakaways to go to and learn from various pastors and laity on topics ranging from Evolution to Absolution. What was helpful about these breakaways was that it introduced the attendees to different pastors and laity who teach the faith of the Scriptures and the Confessions. The only issue with some of the breakaways is that you are only given an hour to speak, and if the topic is a heavy one, sometimes you can’t get through all the material. This can cause confusion for some of the youth, but if a pastor attends the breakaways with their youth like I and my associate did, you can clarify any confusion created. Again, this is why Higher Things is a supplement, rather than a replacement for a regular diet on the Word. I benefited from the breakaways, as did our youth. I myself taught a breakaway and can attest to the reality that there is more time needed in addition to what is provided for the breakaways. If you are a pastor, I would highly recommend going to the breakaways with your youth, rather than letting them scatter, in order that you can have a fruitful dialogue with them about what they hear.

Fourth, was the time I got to spend with the youth from our church. I got to eat with them, worship with them, instruct them, play games at night with them, judge a talent show, participate in a chant off with them, and overall get to know them better throughout the week. Could I do this at my own church? Yes, but not completely.

The Higher Things conference is a time that is set aside to encourage the youth in their knowledge of their Lord Jesus who loves them, died for them, rose for them, and now forgives them in the means of grace. I wouldn’t change a thing about my experience at Higher Things this past week because it gave me an opportunity to see the youth at Zion engage in the hearing of the Gospel, grow in their knowledge of the Word, and cultivate relationships with other youth around the nation who desire the same thing.

Should you take your youth to Higher Things? Yes. Why? Because it is a great supplement to the good diet they are getting in regular reception of the Word and the Sacraments. It is more than just fun times with other kids. It is a great opportunity to grow and learn that your pastor is just like every other pastor that is faithful to the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions in both doctrine and practice. It solidifies the foundation that the pastor and parents lay for their youth. Higher Things conferences, at least the one I attended with Zion’s youth, was a fruitful time in which we enjoyed receiving the gifts of the cross and consoling each other throughout the week in the gift of the Gospel. I would highly recommend every church to attend these conferences and enjoy the fun—and faithful!—times you will have with your youth.

Pastor Hull serves as Senior Pastor at Zion Lutheran Church, Tomball, TX and was plenary speaker at the San Antonio conference.

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Higher History

Who Was Martin Luther? Part 27

Frederick the Wise
Frederick and Spalatin protected Luther

by Rev. Donavon Riley

As the written attacks against Luther increased, the Wittenberger was also confronted with the very real possibility that Elector Frederick would capitulate to Rome’s demands to drag his star professor before the Pope in chains. And yet, despite his anxiety, Luther wrote to his friend, Spalatin, that he was prepared to receive his chains if need be because, “like Abraham I know not where, nay, most certainly, where, because God is everywhere.”

However, rather than sit passively, awaiting his fate, Martin wrote a letter to Frederick arguing his case. He referred to himself as “a shabby little monk” and begged Frederick to allow him to plead his case to the Elector. He included a blow by blow account of what occurred between himself and Cajetan at Ausburg. At that time, he explained, “Cajetan was not able to produce even a syllable from the Scriptures against me.” Finally, Luther wrote, “Truly excellent Prince… concerning my response [to Cajetan], let whatever will be, be; if it false… if it is damnable or to be recanted, then I will do all this if it should be so.” After this, if Frederick would not receive his appeal, then Luther was prepared to accept whatever judgment was laid on him.

When Frederick read Luther’s letter he was moved to continue his protection of the shabby little monk in spite of pressure from Rome. The Elector wrote to Cajetan on December 7, 1518 that “we have fulfilled our promise to you” by delivering Luther to Augsburg. Likewise, “there are now many learned people in our principalities and lands, both in the universities and elsewhere, but in fact to this very moment we are unable to become firmly and unquestionably any more certain that the learning of Martin is impious and not Christian but heretical…” Finally, unless Luther was convicted of heresy, Frederick would not turn him over to the papists.

Unfortunately for Martin, he did not know about the Elector’s letter to Cajetan. Therefore, he was already, on December 20, planning to flee to France. “Pray for me,” he wrote to Spalatin, because “I am in the hands of God and my friends.” In response, Spalatin urged Luther to come to Salzburg instead, that they “may live and die together.”

But, by the time his friend’s letter arrived, Luther had learned about Frederick’s decision. “Good God,” Luther wrote to Spalatin, “with what joy I read and reread” the letter that declared the Elector’s decision about me. “He is the sort of man whose grasp extends to politics and learning at the same time.”

Next time, we will examine the fallout from Frederick’s decision to defend Luther.

Rev. Donavon Riley is the pastor of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Webster, Minnesota.

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Lectionary Meditations

Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful – A Meditation on Luke 6:36

By Rev. Eric Brown

Sinful people like to turn the blessings God has given them into idols. It’s sort of our sinful heart’s go to thing to do. Consider the parable of the banquet. The master has offered one fantastic blessing – the banquet to end all banquets. And it is the best thing that could be. And yet, so many invited do not come. Excuses are made – idols are revealed. A new field, 10 oxen, a new bride. These things are all great blessings, but they get used against the master, used to denigrate and downplay and ignore his feast. And they miss the party. Doesn’t ruin things for the master or his banquet – he just keeps on inviting people. But because these people clung so tightly to their blessings, they miss the party of the year.

The same thing is true in life. Our God is a giver. He delights in giving you things. That’s why He created us in the first place – to give us blessing upon blessing. Yet the sin and idolatry of our heart does something so odd. It focuses on a single blessing so much that we cast others aside. It addicts us to something so that we’d cut off the rest of the blessings gives us. The love of money and its worship can make us neglect many other blessings God gives. That’s a common enough story. And while family and friends are indeed great blessings, we can become so focused on pleasing them that we abandon things that are good. Whatever thing that drives you and calls out to you, whatever good thing that you put such a focus on that it dominates your life and lessens it – that’s an idol. The sinful heart loves to turn any good thing into an idol and an addiction, robbing us of joy.

Yet God remains a giver. Even as we are tempted to ignore His gifts, He keeps giving. And not just temporal, earthly gifts; among all the blessings He gives, the greatest are the spiritual gifts, are eternal life and salvation – given through the forgiveness won by Christ. It is the forgiveness proclaimed from the pulpit and altar in His service. And so over and over the call goes out to come to this feast, to the foretaste of the feast to come.

And you will have idols trying to keep you from the feast. You will have many good things from God that your heart has twisted to where they try to call you way from His House. Might be cash, a job, a sunny day. Maybe “family time” – maybe a myriad other things – things that in and of themselves are good, yet your sinful flesh wants to abuse like an addict. But as they call out to you, remember that God calls out to you even more. The same God who gave you such good things has promised you all these and much more, and for all eternity. Indeed, an eternity where you will enjoy and use them rightly and fully, and they will no longer be idols. Just blessings from God. And today, God’s Word calls you away from this, so that He in His love and give you these and all blessings. Come, for all things are ready for you – both now and forever.

Rev. Eric Brown is pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Herscher, Illinois and the co-host of the HT Gospeled Boldly Podcast.

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Lectionary Meditations

Visitation – A Meditation on Luke 1:39-56

By Rev. Eric Brown

The Magnificat, Mary’s Song given when she visits Elizabeth, is utterly wonderful, and yet I wonder if sometimes it isn’t misunderstood. I wonder if sometimes we don’t view it through a veil of false pretense. Consider the very first sentence: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked on the humble estate of His servant.”

We can be tempted to think that Mary is doing a “humble brag” here – but I wonder if we get what she means by the “humble estate” that she is in? We can put Mary on a pedestal, think how awesome it would have been to be her. Well, while we do call her blessed, the Scriptures also show the harshness of what Mary went through. Think of what the world would have seen when it saw Mary – a teen pregnant outside of wedlock. That wasn’t popular or celebrated back then in the least – in fact, it was something you might get stoned for. Matthew reports that Joseph was thinking of divorcing her quietly – and that’s the nice option – just kick her to the curb instead of killing her. And then even after Jesus is born, Mary is warned by Simeon that a sword will pierce her own heart. And then, she must flee to Egypt so that her Son isn’t brutally murdered as a child. In many ways, being called to be the Mother of God would stink on ice.

That’s her humble, her lowered, her dropped down estate. Mary’s plans and dreams for the future that she had had are now radically changed. Nothing will be simple for her. Moreover, think of the rumors, the gossip, the accusations and dirty looks that would fly around her. Mary was brought low, she was humbled – the folks would have been talking about how apparently good little Mary wasn’t so good after all. All this crashes upon her, and Mary flees – she goes with haste to visit Elizabeth, the one other person who might understand this strange pregnancy stuff, since Elizabeth herself is miraculously pregnant at an advanced age.

And what does Mary say? “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked on the humble estate of His servant.” Even though things are rough and wretched, even though society and family and plans are all messed up – there is God, and God is still faithful to Mary, and God still is determined to win her salvation no matter how messed up things are. She carries the proof.

Christ Jesus, Son of God and Son of Mary, True God and True Man – He knows all about low estates. He knows all about being humbled and brought low. He topped (or, went lower?) His mom when it came to that. Suffered and died on the Cross. And He remembers you. He has joined Himself to you in the waters of Holy Baptism, and He will remember you to be your Savior no matter what humbled situation you find yourself in. When you are low, when you are down, Mary’s song is your song, because Christ Jesus is your great Savior who will always remember His mercy to you.

Rev. Eric Brown is pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Herscher, Illinois and the co-host of the HT Gospeled Boldly Podcast.

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Higher History

Who Was Martin Luther? Part 26

Cajetan and Luther

by Rev. Donavon Riley

After days of back and forth between Martin Luther and the papal representatives, Elector Frederick finally urged his now infamous professor to write an appeal to Rome, to “the pope badly informed to the pope better informed.” At the same time, Luther’s colleague Staupitz encouraged him to write a final summary of his position to Cardinal Cajetan. In both letters Luther summed up his position saying he could not recant any of his teachings because that would, in effect, be creating new articles of faith. The Wittenberger could not recant, he argued, because what he taught was biblical and thus the very Word of God which could not err.

Once the letters had been sent, Luther and Staupitz met in private to talk about what would happen next. Martin’s position was clear. He was in mortal danger. He would have to flee under cover of darkness if he wanted to save his life. To this end, Staupitz released Martin from his monastic vows. He was no longer bound to obey the rules of his order or his superiors. After this was done, Staupitz and Luther’s companions fled Augsburg. Now Luther was alone.

Luther, for his part, snuck out through a hole in the city wall, left his monk’s cowl behind, climbed up on an old nag, and made his way to Wittenberg undetected. Later, upon reflection, Martin said that when he arrived at the gates of the city and dismounted he could barely stand he was so exhausted, overcome as he was by feelings of fear and hope. Emotions that would hound him for many days and months afterwards.

Cardinal Cajetan, learning of Luther’s escape, wrote to Frederick, promising the Elector that Rome would not so easily forget what had happened in Augsburg and the Elector’s part in all of it. The matter would be prosecuted and the glory of Rome would not be allowed to suffer blemish. Frederick either sent Luther to Rome in chains or, at the least, he must publicly reject Martin’s teachings. Whatever the case, the Cardinal was clear; turn over Luther or suffer the full power of Rome crashing down on Wittenberg.

Next week, we will examine more of the attacks on Luther after Augsburg and their consequences.

Rev. Donavon Riley is the pastor of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Webster, Minnesota.

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Higher History

Concord #22: Augsburg Confession (Good Works pt. 3)

Christian good works

Article 20: Good Works (part 3)

Lutherans teach good works, but also that good works should not take the place of faith before God, or else Christ’s work is not necessary. But there is also a happy consequence of such a faith.

But, although this doctrine is despised by the inexperienced, nevertheless God-fearing and anxious consciences find by experience that it brings the greatest consolation, because consciences cannot be set at rest through any works, but only by faith, when they take the sure ground that for Christ’s sake they have a reconciled God. As Paul teaches Rom. 5:1: Being justified by faith, we have peace with God. This whole doctrine is to be referred to that conflict of the terrified conscience, neither can it be understood apart from that conflict. Therefore inexperienced and profane men judge ill concerning this matter, who dream that Christian righteousness is nothing but civil and philosophical righteousness. (Augsburg Confession XX.15-18)

Good works do indeed produce a kind of righteousness, but only in a civil or a philosophical sense. Good works do not produce Christian righteousness, or the righteousness that counts before God. Good works can always be better works. There can always be more good works. And a person who comes to this realization will become even more anxious. But faith finds comfort in the reconciliation with God that Christ has accomplished.

Hence there was very great need to treat of, and renew, this doctrine of faith in Christ, to the end that anxious consciences should not be without consolation but that they might know that grace and forgiveness of sins and justification are apprehended by faith in Christ.” (Augsburg Confession XX.22)

This is as true today as it was at the time of the confession at Augsburg. We must always return to the doctrine of faith in Christ, and there find the great consolation of the Gospel.

You can read the Book of Concord at http://www.bookofconcord.org

 

“Concord” is a weekly study of the Lutheran Confessions, where we will take up a topic from the Book of Concord and reflect on what we believe, teach, and confess in the Lutheran Church. The purpose of this series is to deepen readers’ knowledge and appreciation for the confessions of the Lutheran Church, and to unite them “with one heart” to confess the teachings of Holy Scripture.

Rev. Jacob Ehrhard is pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in New Haven, MO.

Categories
Lectionary Meditations

Turning Blessings into Idols

By Rev. Eric Brown

Sinful people like to turn the blessings God has given them into idols. It’s sort of our sinful heart’s go to thing to do. Consider the parable of the banquet. The master has offered one fantastic blessing – the banquet to end all banquets. And it is the best thing that could be. And yet, so many invited do not come. Excuses are made – idols are revealed. A new field, 10 oxen, a new bride. These things are all great blessings, but they get used against the master, used to denigrate and downplay and ignore his feast. And they miss the party. Doesn’t ruin things for the master or his banquet – he just keeps on inviting people. But because these people clung so tightly to their blessings, they miss the party of the year.

The same thing is true in life. Our God is a giver. He delights in giving you things. That’s why He created us in the first place – to give us blessing upon blessing. Yet the sin and idolatry of our heart does something so odd. It focuses on a single blessing so much that we cast others aside. It addicts us to something so that we’d cut off the rest of the blessings gives us. The love of money and its worship can make us neglect many other blessings God gives. That’s a common enough story. And while family and friends are indeed great blessings, we can become so focused on pleasing them that we abandon things that are good. Whatever thing that drives you and calls out to you, whatever good thing that you put such a focus on that it dominates your life and lessens it – that’s an idol. The sinful heart loves to turn any good thing into an idol and an addiction, robbing us of joy.

Yet God remains a giver. Even as we are tempted to ignore His gifts, He keeps giving. And not just temporal, earthly gifts; among all the blessings He gives, the greatest are the spiritual gifts, are eternal life and salvation – given through the forgiveness won by Christ. It is the forgiveness proclaimed from the pulpit and altar in His service. And so over and over the call goes out to come to this feast, to the foretaste of the feast to come.

And you will have idols trying to keep you from the feast. You will have many good things from God that your heart has twisted to where they try to call you way from His House. Might be cash, a job, a sunny day. Maybe “family time” – maybe a myriad other things – things that in and of themselves are good, yet your sinful flesh wants to abuse like an addict. But as they call out to you, remember that God calls out to you even more. The same God who gave you such good things has promised you all these and much more, and for all eternity. Indeed, an eternity where you will enjoy and use them rightly and fully, and they will no longer be idols. Just blessings from God. And today, God’s Word calls you away from this, so that He in His love and give you these and all blessings. Come, for all things are ready for you – both now and forever.

Rev. Eric Brown is pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Herscher, Illinois and the co-host of the HT Gospeled Boldly Podcast.

Categories
Higher History

Who Was Martin Luther? Part 25

Cajetan and Luther

by Rev. Donavon Riley

While friends, colleagues, and supporters of Martin Luther worked to secure him safe passage to Augsburg, and the freedom to move about the city once there, he was visited by representatives of Cardinal Cajetan. They encouraged Luther to repent of his teaching, then everything would be forgiven and forgotten. Luther was even asked if his motives were less than serious, and whether he intended to turn the meeting into a sporting event.

Cajetan, for his part, took Luther’s teaching deadly serious. He had read numerous published works by Luther, and had written lengthy responses to the pillars of Luther’s teaching. This was no small thing, especially for Rome, since the cardinal was widely considered to be one of the greatest minds of his generation. That Cajetan criticizing the young German professor meant Luther’s theology was a threat to the church that was not to be taken lightly. He attacked Luther’s positions on whether a Christian can build up merits to earn his way into heaven, whether one had to have true faith to be justified and receive grace, and whether the Pope had the authority to grant indulgences.

Cajetan had been charged by his superiors in Rome not to debate with Luther, but to secure a one word answer from the monk: “I recant.” That is, Luther was to repent of his teaching and return to the papal fold. Ironically, the meeting between Cajetan and Luther happened in the Fuggar house, who was the primary banking family in Europe who money had been a large part of the Indulgence Controversy.

When they finally met, Cajetan said, “First, repent of your errors and recant them. Second, promise never to teach them again. Finally, do not again do anything to upset the peace of the church.” Luther asked, “which errors?” Cajetan answered Luther specifically and this was the mistake in judgement that undid the meeting altogether. Cajetan had been ordered not to debate Luther, but it seems the greatest theologian of his generation could not resist taking Luther’s bait.

The two men went back and forth at each other from across the table, even though the exchange was calm and cordial. By the end of the day the discussion had settled on the authority of the Pope. They agreed to come back the next day to continue their discussion. Cajetan demanded Luther acknowledge that the Pope had the God-given authority to issue indulgences. Martin asked if he could have time to think and formulate a written answer. The cardinal said, “I will be pleased to hear what you have to say…”

The third time, then, that Luther appeared before Cajetan, written response in hand, he was also shadowed on his left and right hand by two of Elector Fredrick’s lawyers. Cajetan read Luther’s lengthy answer to the question of papal authority. He read it, then said, “Now, it’s time for you to recant.” And that’s when a full-blown debate erupted between them so violent that by the end, Cajetan threatened to have Luther dragged away in chains to Rome and that he would excommunicate anyone who had anything to do with Luther. Finally, Cajetan yelled at Luther, “Get out, and don’t appear before me again unless you are ready to recant.”

After he had left the house Luther rejoiced and laughed at his good fortune. He said to his friends, Spalatin and Cajetan, that he had shattered Cajetan’s confidence. He concluded saying, “I will not become a heretic by denying the understanding through which I have been made a Christian.”

Next week we will examine how Luther’s debate with Cajetan and other events in Augsburg served to put Luther in even greater danger.

Rev. Donavon Riley is the pastor of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Webster, Minnesota.