Dr. Eric W. Gritsch

Paul Flo

The Rev. Dr. Eric W. Gritsch Memorial Fund

Essay Application

Write 700 – 1,000 words on the topic: “As we approach the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation, imagine that you are interviewing Martin Luther.  Ask him to critique the progress of the reform movement.  In which two areas of witness would he praise his followers, and in which two areas would he believe his followers have fallen short of his expectations?” Be certain to double space your work.  Be specific, and include at least two citations from Luther’s works as well as two citations from the works of the Luther scholar, Eric W. Gritsch.  Creativity and originality are encouraged.

Paul (me): Dr. Luther, many theologians, even some among your supporters, have mixed feelings about the progress of the reform movement. I’m curious what your personal thoughts might be. Would you be willing to disclose any praise or disappointments you feel toward your supporters?

Luther: That’s a good question, and there is certainly both praise and disappointment to be offered. When God is at work through sinners there will always be both praises and problems. Furthermore, Satan works extra hard to uproot any healthy roots in God’s church. As I’ve said before, “For where God build[s] a church, there the devil also build[s] a chapel” (LW 58, Table Talk, LXVII). So we should expect problems whenever there is success in the spiritual realm. Paul, where would you like me to start?

Paul: Why don’t we end on a positive note and save the praise for last. What are two areas in which your followers have fallen short of your expectations?

Luther: Well, I suppose I’d have to start with some who take every word of my mouth as Holy Writ. While it is flattering, I’ve emphasized from the beginning that our consciences are to be bound to the testimony of Holy Scripture alone.  My words are only authoritative insofar as they accurately reflect and align with God’s Word. There have undoubtedly been times when my “mind became dull because [I] lost [my] temper”, as one person pointed out (Gritsch, Toxic Spirituality, p. 20). Furthermore, just as any sinner, I run the risk of deviating from truth at any given moment. Holy Scripture is the fountain from which all authority and truth flows--not the unclean lips of Martin Luther or any other person.

Secondly, many of my followers have fallen into the perennial problem of antinomianism. Along with those whom Paul was addressing when he wrote, “What then? Shall we sin so that Grace may abound?” (Romans 6:1, ESV) these fools have used the Gospel teaching of justification by faith alone as an opportunity to satiate their fleshly desires. I don’t want to lump everyone in that category, however.  I fear there are also sincere Christians who have, perhaps unknowingly, become what we could call “soft-antinomians”. Along with me and other Wittenberg theologians, these people rightfully focus on Christ’s all-atoning work on the cross. To them, God’s Law is primarily used to show a Christian his sin, revealing to him the necessity of Christ.  This is true.  However, they do not want to let the Law remain as a guide for Christian obedience; a sort of teacher for the new man that we have become in Christ Jesus. I will say what I have said before, “Yea, even those who gladly hear the Word of God, who highly prize it and aim to follow it, have daily need of admonition and encouragement, so strong and tough is that old hide of our sinful flesh. And so powerful and wily is our old evil foe that wherever he can gain enough of an opening to insert one of his claws, he thrusts in his whole self and will not desist until he has again sunk man into his former condemnable unbelief and his old way of despising and disobeying God” (Luther, Church Postils, 19th Sunday after Trinity).  Let us not reject God’s Holy Law as a guide for Christian living.

Paul: Wow. Taking the words of Martin Luther as Holy Scripture and falling into antinomianism sound like pretty serious problems. Errors like these may even lead a person to wonder what progress has been made at all. Can you mention a couple positives to encourage the hearer? What praise could you offer your followers throughout the last years?

            Luther: You’re right to say that focusing on only negatives could lead a person to despair. Progress has indeed been made, and I don’t want to overlook the many blessings that our Father has brought about through these early years of reform. First, I believe many of my followers have once again placed Christ back at the center of their theology. I know this sounds very vague, so let me offer a specific example in fasting.  As I’ve mentioned in my catechisms, fasting can indeed be beneficial for bodily training and discipline in preparation for the Lord’s Supper, “that the body may keep and bear itself modestly and reverently towards the body and blood of Christ; yet what is given in and with it the body cannot seize and appropriate.  But this is done by the faith of the heart, which discerns this treasure and desires it” (Luther, Luther’s Large Catechism, Of the Sacrament of the Altar, 37).

So, the outward behavior is important only if it reflects one’s faith in Jesus Christ. When Christ is at the center, ‘good works’ like fasting flow naturally from us rather than serve as a way to gain God’s favor. Many of my followers deserve commendation for this insight--to God be the glory!  One astute theologian noted it this way: “If righteousness is God’s gift rather than a the reward for moral actions, then God is no longer perceived as a wrathful judge who must be appeased.  Rather, God can be trusted as the one who has reconciled the world through Christ crucified and who relates to creatures like a father or mother to children: God loves them unconditionally, without first asking whether or not they deserve love” (Gritsch, Born Againism: Perspectives on a Movement, 54). I couldn’t have said it better myself!

            Secondly, and somewhat connected to the first, is a healthier perspective on “Christian experience” that many of my followers have come to.  Since Satan always seems to introduce false teachings in pairs, there have always been those who want to reject “experience talk” altogether and those who want to rely on them far too much--their religious experiences become some sort of “reliable” indication of genuine faith or the Spirit’s presence.  Both views are far too extreme and plain wrong. Again borrowing from a profound thinker, “The language of Christian experience becomes problematic when it is preoccupied with the self rather than with the other--the neighbor.  Christian narcissism exists when the gospel about Jesus gets confused with the ‘good news’ of how one feels after conversion” (Gritsch, Born Againism: Perspectives on a Movement, 87).  A Christian’s feelings and experience can be comforting and helpful to others and should not be ignored or suppressed. However, they should likewise not be overemphasized. The middle of the road is often best; both ditches lead to problems.

            Well, hopefully that helps, Paul. There are so many other concerns and praises that could be discussed, and these will all become more clear as the reform movement moves along as God wills. Thank God that He is running the show whether things seem to be in our favor or not.

Paul: As usual, Dr. Luther, thank you for your insights and for all the work you do. God is truly using you as an instrument in his orchestra called The Church. Thanks be to God!

Paul Flo

801 Seminary Place
St. Louis, Mo., 6310

paulflo11@gmail.com

2nd Place Winner Joshua K. Warfield M.A.

3rd Place Winner: 
Andrew Christiansen