Western Heritage Final

Adress to the Christian Nobility- Martin Luther

• Critique of roman church

• The Three Walls of the Romanists (Roman Catholics) - Christians are of spiritual estate, anyone can interpret scripture, and the pope shouldn’t be the only one who can call council/interpret bible

Adress to the Christian Nobility

Martin Luther

On Christian Liberty- Martin Luther

• two opposing propositions (Christian man is free, subject to none; Christian man is servant,

• Christians are free from worrying about observance of law in order to attain salvation;

• because of this freedom, good works are possible

On Christian Liberty

Martin Luther

The Institutes- John Calvin

• saved by grace = a gift

• God knows who is saved

• civil gov defends the church/ promotes God

• gov is divinely instituted, have to accept it

The Institutes

John Calvin

Canons and Decrees- Council of Trent

official response to Luther's remarks;

• church reserves authority to interpret Scripture

• recognizes corruption in church and wants unity

• schism is a scourge

• anathema

• faith + good works

• salvation is a gift, quickening

Canons and Decrees

Council of Trent

The True Law of Free Monarchies - James VI

• monarchy is closest to God

• king is above the law: however, good king will rule according to it

• good king bears common good in mind

• echoes On Kingship,

• King must look out for the temporal and spiritual wellbeing of his people, he is answerable

The True Law of Free Monarchies

James VI

Leviathan - Thomas Hobbes

• men have an insatiable desire for power

• king is mortal god under immortal God, but the people choose to follow him

• improper gov=chaos and every man for himself

• A strong central authority is needed to deal with inherent disorder in humans

Leviathan

Thomas Hobbes

Second Treatise of Civil Government - John Locke

• man's natural state is that of perfect freedom

• natural rights are: life, liberty, and property;

• people have a right to reform if necessary

• civil gov is a solution for disagreement

Second Treatise of Civil Government

John Locke

ESSAY: Define scourge and use 4 documents to support your definition/explain how citizens should react to it

City of God: sin is the cause of slavery, slavery is a scourge

Policraticus: If a king is a tyrant, it is not of his own fault. Rather, it was permitted by God as a scourge. He is punishing his people for their sins.

On Kingship: When dealing with a tyrant, one may have to become a martyr. The only way to deal with a tyrant is to patiently suffer for Christ’s sake so he can lift the scourge. This patient suffering also gains attention and attraction to the church, as martyrs can be a model for others

The Institutes: Governmental authority is instituted by God. Christians must obey whatever form of government God institutes for his people, even if it is too authoritative and encroaches on people’s rights. In this case, it is God’s will to punish his people for their sin, which is a scourge.

Canons and Degrees-Council of Trent: misfortunes befalling Christians is a scourge from God, he is punishing them for their transgressions and guilt. Disunity is increasing in the church from schisms (split of doctrine) and heretics, and God is not happy with this.

ESSAY: Is it good for one man to be unanswerable?

The true law of free monarchy by james VI: YES, the mutual relationship between men and his citizens, Resembles divinity and unity

On kingship by thomas aquinas: YES - Unity = most natural, less chaos, - It is natural for a men to live in a polis rule by one is simplest solution

Policracticus: Yes, if a government is such that one man is unanswerable, it is good, because God is allowing it. All power is given by God.

The History- Darius says yes, Octanes says no

Magna Carta: no, shows reprocussions of one man being unsanswerable

ESSAY: nature What is the natural state of men and how does government relate to it? !

Leviathan by thomas hobbes: government is necessary because men are naturally bad

2nd treatise of Civil gov: Civil government is the solution for disagreement but men are naturally good bc of natural law/ general revelation

-Politics by aristotle: men have a natural association to live in a polis, and since all govs. go astray the best type is one vested in the middle class. Reason and governing appetite necessary

On Kingship: Government is a product of sin. Men naturally fall into sin, so they need a government to limit sinful nature. Nature prefers unity and the government of one (soul is the one ruler over the body, God is the one ruler over the universe). Rule by the one is natural and therefore this form of government was designed and designated by God.

ESSAY: What is the relationship between the Bible and temporal works/study?

Prescription against heretics: Bible is chief source of knowledge and philosophy can mislead one from this knowledge. It is false and should not be used.

On Christian Doctrine: Christians should take philosophy from the Greek and put it to better use for spreading the gospel.

On Philosophy: Philosophy can be utilized as a supplement to the gospel and has elements of truth within it. But not all of these parts are true.

Letter to the Grand Duchess: Both the bible and scientific study should be used to find more about the world and God. Real science will not contradict with the correct interpretation of the bible.

Essay: Role of religion in government to create order

The Prince: Observing divine institutions is needed to keep the security and stability of a nation. Instilling the fear of God in citizens will keep order and prevent them from disobeying out of fear of divine wrath. The only long term solution to a successful system of laws is to institute divine authority.

The Histories by Polybius: points out that for Rome implamenting religion into gov will create order. There is nothing like the fear of God that govern people’s actions. Therefore, people are inclined to do good by glorifying God as to not suffer His wrath. This “doing good” will also be a benefit to the state.

Exodus: 10 commandments are outlined. If people disobey these commandments, they will face horrible curses. There are punishments for disobeying God. Many of these commandments reflect temporal laws in someway, so people will therefore be more inclined to follow civil law.

The Institutes: Christians voluntarily obey the law out of respect and morality. Civil laws and authority are instituted by God, designed to support the worship of God. Therefore, following God’s commandments = following the law.

ESSAY: relationship of church and state

The institutes by John Calvin: civil government should promote and protect the worship of God, civil gov complements the church

The investiture controversy b/w king Henry and pope gregory: debate over who has more authority to rule over the kingdom

Letter to Anastasius I: pope and king both have god given power so they must respect each other. Pope has more authority because spiritual aspect of his power lasts beyond temporal life whereas king does not.

Policraticus: church, pope, or any civilian for that matter, does not have the power to overthrow the king. Both the church and state authority is God given. Instead, church must continue to stay unified and face the scourge.

ESSAY: how to fullfil great commission

Acts 2: set an example, live an appealing lifestyle

Ecclesiastical History of English People: Augustine reflected acts 2 lifestyle to spread Christianity in England

Life of Charlemagne: forceful conversion of Saxons

Life of Constantine: peaceful conversion, shared his testimony with the public, worshiped God in front of his army and people

On philosophy: use philosophy as a beginning means of spreading the gospel

But let no one be made afraid by it, and that for this reason, that are Christians are truly of the spiritual estate, and there is no difference among them, save of office alone. We are all one body, one gospel, one baptism, one faith, and these alone make Christian people.

Address to the Christian nobility-Martin Luther

Represents the first wall, that all Christians are of spiritual estate. All people are unified in Christ. The pope and other church position holders are not the only one with spiritual estate. For the pope to say this contradicts biblical unity.

Therefore a priest should be nothing in Christendom but a functionary, as long as he holds his office he has precedence of others, if he is deprived of it, he is a peasant and a citizen like the rest. Therefore a priest is verily no longer a priest after his deposition.

Address to the Christian nobility-Martin Luther

1st wall: All church officers are functionary, meaning they are equal to others in the eyes of God but have specific powers so that they may perform for the good of the church. If his powers are taken away, there is nothing that separates him from the common man.

Between spiritual and temporal persons, the only real difference is one of office and function , and not of estate.

Address to the Christian nobility-Martin Luther

1st wall: Between those who hold positions in the church, such as popes and bishops, and common Christians, they have the same spiritual estate. Each one who follows Christs’s commandments and believes in Jesus as their savior will go to heaven. The only difference is their responsibilities and role as Christians on earth.

They alone pretend to be masters of scriptures, although they learn nothing of them all their life, they assume authority and juggle before us saying that the Pope can not err is matters of faith, whether he be evil or good, although they cannot prove this.

Address to the Christian nobility-Martin Luther

Second wall: anyone can interpret scripture

Luther claims that the Pope does not have proper knowledge of the bible. He should not hold authority if he cannot even interpret God’s word correctly.

And though they say that this authority was given to Saint Peter when the keys were given to him, it is plain enough that the keys were not given to Saint peter along, but to the whole community.

Address to the Christian nobility-Martin Luther

second wall. The Pope has taken it up on himself to interpret scripture and that his interpretation is correct and unquestionable. However, this it not true. Anyone can interpret the Bible.

They can show nothing in the scriptures giving the pope sole power to call and confirm councils, they have nothing but their own laws, but these hold good only so long as they are not injurious to Christianity.

Address to the Christian nobility-Martin Luther

3rd wall: Pope can be punished and removed from his position is he acts against scripture. The Bible does not give the pope sole authority over the church, everyone can play a role in determining who the pope is. However, one should only call for a new pope for the right reasons, when its is a danger to Christianity.

A Christian man is the most free Lord of all, and subject to none.

A Christian man is the most dutiful servant of all, and subject to everyone.

On Christian Liberty: Martin Luther

These statements appear to contradict, but they are both true. A Christian man is free from the burdens of the temporal world in Christ, and does not answer to earthly kings, but instead to the heavenly king. He must follow the Lord’s commandments and obey the law.

Man is composed of a two-fold nature , a spiritual and a bodily.

On Christian Liberty: Martin Luther

A man’s spirit and body are constantly at war with each other. The flesh will cause a man to sin and lead him away from Christ, but the spirit is always trying to overcome the desires of the flesh. The flesh only lasts on earth, but the spirit lives for eternity.

When a man becomes a justified Christian, he is a new, inward man. Outward things have no weight in producing a state of justification and Christian Liberty-, nor a unjustified state and one of slavery. !!

On Christian Liberty: Martin Luther

Christian gives man liberty through his spirit and faith. Anyone can become a Christian. Good works have little to no impact on becoming justified, only faith can save someone. (echoes Paul)

The soul needs the word alone for life and justification, so it is justified by faith and not by any other works. !

On Christian Liberty: Martin Luther

Through scripture and faith, one can achieve salvation. God works alone cannot attain salvation. If good works alone got one saved, there would be no use of scripture.

But if he has no need of works, neither has he need of the law, and if he has no need of the law he is certainly free from the law, and the saying is true “The law is not made for a righteous man.”

On Christian Liberty: Martin Luther

Laws of men are derived from God’s commandments, so good works involve obeying temporal laws. The law is therefore a subset of good works, and following them will not attain salvation. One cannot become righteous/justified just through following the law. Frees Christians from slavishly following law for salvation.

A Christian, by faith, does good works, but he is not by these works made a more sacred person, or more a Christian. Good works do not make a good man, but a good man does good works. !!!

On Christian Liberty: Martin Luther

When a Christian is saved by faith alone, he still does good works out of respect for God. Christians naturally seek to please God by obeying the law and his commandments. The wish to do what is good, just, and honest.

Christian liberty consists of three parts: The conscience of believers, when seeking an assurance of their justification, should raise themselves above the law. !!!

The Institutes- John Calvin

salvation comes from faith alone, not from following the law. They must set their sights above the law, to their faith, in order to be justified Christians.

The second part of Christian liberty, is that their consciences do not observe the law as being under any legal obligation, but they yield a voluntary obedience. !!!

The Institutes- John Calvin

Christians voluntarily obey the law. They do not do so slavishly for the sole purpose of being saved. Instead, they do so in order to please God and do what is just in the eyes of God.

The 3rd part of Christian liberty teaches us that we are bound by no obligation before God respecting external things, which in themselves are indifferent. xx !!!

The Institutes- John Calvin

Christians are not obligated to respect other way of life or beleifs. One must use liberty and reason if these can be used in accordance with Christianity. If they cannot, they should be put to better use by Christians.

Civil government is designed to cherish and support the worship of God, to regulate our lives in a manner requisite for the society of men, to form our manners to civil justice, to establish peace and tranquility. !!!

The Institutes- John Calvin

Government is legitamate and ordained by God. Good laws are in accordance with God’s commandments. Government is good for this reason and also that is given order to man’s natural chaos and sin. !

The authority passed by kings is not a consequence of the perverseness of men, but of the Providence and holy ordinance of God. !

The Institutes- John Calvin

Authority and government is divinely instituted. Government may have human figureheads, but it is ultimatley created and regulated by God.

The vice or imperfection of men therefore renders it safer and more tolerable for the gov to be in the hands of many, that they may afford each other mutual assistance

The Institutes- John Calvin

Rule of many is better than rule of one. This is because men are imperfect and subject to sin/appetites. When they have total temporal power, they can become tyrants.

For if it to be his please to appoint kings, it is our duty to be obedient to any governors whom God has established over the places we reside.

The Institutes- John Calvin

While one form of gov may be better than another, citizens must accept the form of government that exists in their country. This is because God istitutes this government, so they must obey His will. God may institute a scourge through a tyrant, and citizens must accept this as punishment for their sins.

The unity of the Christian name was well-nigh rent and torn asunder by schisms, dissension, and heresies.

Canons and Decrees-Council of Trent

Unity in the church has been disrupted. This is partly because of Luther and Calvin doctrine, splitting from Catholic church.

Because of our transgressions and the guilt of us all, because of the wrath of God hanging over us by reason of our sins.

Canons and Decrees-Council of Trent

God has brought a scourge upon his people. Their disunion has brought up on much conflict.

To check unbridled spirits, the council decrees that no one rely on his own judgement shall in matters of faith and morals pertaining to the Christian doctrine, distorting the Holy scriptures in accordance with his own conceptions, presume to interpret them contrary to that sense which holy mother church

Canons and Decrees-Council of Trent

Those who have different interpretations of scripture may do so with good intentions. However, they may also be influenced by the devil and be creating heresy. The Church was nervous of Lutheranism and Calvinism because they suspected they were not led of their own accord, but by the devil.

They who sin had been cut off from God may be disposed through His quickening and helping grace to convert themselves to their own justification by freely assenting with that grace, so that while God touches the heart of man through the Holy Ghost, man himself neither does absolutley nothing while receiving that inspiration, since he can also reject it, nor yet is he able by his own free will and without the Grace of God to move himself to justice in His sight.

Canons and Decrees-Council of Trent

Salvation begins with the grace of God, not something that is earned. Their faith begins with quickening, when God gives spiritual life to his people. God extends his grace as a gift to all people. People have free will to accept or reject this grace.

for faith, unless hope and charity be added to it, neither unites man perfectly with Christ nor makes him a living member of his body.

Canons and Decrees-Council of Trent

Faith alone will not earn salvation. It must be combined with good works for him to both be a good man and a Christian. Both are needed for justification.

But when the Apostle says that man is justified by faith and freely, these words are to be understood in the sense in which we are justified by faith as it is the beginning of human salvation.

Canons and Decrees-Council of Trent

When Paul says that one can be justified by faith, it is interpreted that faith is not the only thing needed for justification. Instead, it is the beginning and foundation of justification. However, works do not earn anything because salvation is a gift.

If anyone says that all Christians have the power to administer the Word and all the sacraments, let him be anathema.

EXAM PROBABLY

Canons and Decrees-Council of Trent

Sacraments are instituted by Christ. If anyone adds or takes away from these or makes his own Bible interpretation, they are anathema. This means they are outside of the Church/Christian doctrine. If one does not agree or respect the authority of the pope, they are anathema.

As there is not a thing necessary to be known by the people of any land, next to the knowledge of their God, as the right knowledge of their allegiance, according to the form of government, especially a monarchy. !

The True Law of Free Monarchies- James VI

Subjects must have a relationship with God to know his place under a king. Allegiance to God is most important, but allegiance to king is also important. Government embraces divinity and unity.

By the law of nature, by diverse similitudes drawn out of the same, and will conclude thereafter by answering the most weighty and appearing in commodities than can be objected.!

The True Law of Free Monarchies- James VI

Monarchy reflects the functions of nature. It is the best form of government in responding to conflict.

Kings are called gods by King David because they sit up on God’s throne in the earth, and have the account of their administration to give unto him.

The True Law of Free Monarchies- James VI

The King’s rule is comparable to that of a mortal God. He is God’s human head and only accountable to God. The King himself is responsible for the temporal and spiritual well-being, and is answerable on judgement day to all of them.

He cares more for them than he does himself, knowing himself to be ordained for them, and they not for him, and therefore accountable to that great God, who placed him as his lieutenant over them.

The True Law of Free Monarchies- James VI

Outlines the qualities and duties of a good King. King must also recognizes that his rule is instituted by God to govern the people. He has tremendous responsibility in looking out for his people and being held accountable for them.

Yet a good king will not only delight to rule his subjects by law, but even will confirm himself in his own actions therunto

The True Law of Free Monarchies- James VI

Echoes Thomas Aquinas in On Kingship. A good king will not follow law out of obligation, but will do so voluntarily out of respect for his people and God.

The passions that most of all cause the difference of wait are principally the more or less desire of power, or riches, of knowledge, and of honor. All which may be reduced to the first that is, desire of power.

Leviathan- Thomas Hobbes

All conflicts between people are sourced from greed, especially that for power. Many wars are started over these desires;

So that in the first place, I put for a general inclination of all mankind a perpetual and restless desire of power after power, that ceases in death.

Leviathan- Thomas Hobbes

It is inherent that humans will be greedy for power. This greed can take many forms. There is no way to eliminate this hunger for power, it will only end in death.

Whatsoever therefore is consequent to a time of war, where every man is enemy to every man, the same is consequent to the time wherein men live without other security than what their own strength and their own invention shall furnish them withal.

Leviathan- Thomas Hobbes

Man’s natural state is one of conflict. His only source of strength in this conflict/wartime is self defense and ability to be independent. Wartime disrupts unity and industry, anything of value will be destroyed or stolen.

This done, the multitude so united in one person is called a common wealth. This is the generation of the great Leviathan, or that mortal god to which we owe under the immortal God our peace and defense.

Leviathan- Thomas Hobbes

A Levithan is a king who will save humans from their natural state of conflict. He has the power to instill terror and reform, and cultivate higher things like industry and learning. The King is instituted under God to promote peace and order.

We must consider what state all men are naturally in, and that is the state of perfect freedom to order their actions, and dispose of their possessions and persons, as they think fit, within the bounds of the laws of nature, without asking leave or depending upon the will of any other man.

Second Treatise of Civil Government- John Locke

Men have basic freedoms/natural rights such as the right to freedom and property. This property constitutes the control of oneself and one’s personal posessions. People can do with their property what they wish as long as it does not disrupt order or other citizens.

No one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions, for men being all the workmanship of one omnipotent and infinitley wise maker.

Second Treatise of Civil Government- John Locke

People are from God and are God’s property. However, humans still have the liberty to govern their own actions. God gives men their natural rights.

The end of law is not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge freedom.

Second Treatise of Civil Government- John Locke

Proper laws restrict license and promote liberty. It directs people towards order. They extend freedoms while protecting individual property.

Civil government is the proper remedy for the inconveniences of the state of nature, which must certainly be great, where men may be judges in their own case

Second Treatise of Civil Government- John Locke

Government orders people and promotes peace. With no common judge (a King), violence will ensue. One central authority helps prevent conflict.