Lutheran Confessional Writings- Test 3

Charles V

He was the Holy Roman Emperor and the Smalcald articles were written to get everyone in the Smalcaldic League on the same page doctrinally. The Smalcaldic League was formed to combine forces against Charles V and his army.

Paul III

Pope Paul III called for a general council to be held at Mantua in 1537

Elector John Fredrick "The Magnanimous"

Luther's patron- defended him

Elector John Frederick commissioned Luther to write them for the general council in Mantua, Italy.

Elector John Frederick wanted Luther's Smalcald Articles to be more clear, direct, and firm than the Augsburg Confession.

Philip Melanchthon

Commissioned to write Treatise on Power and Primacy of Pope.

Melanchthon persuaded the members of the Smalcaldic League to formally adopt Luther's Smalcald Articles.

Was willing to compromise on issues he should not have been

Mantua, Italy

Papal summons to council- First Choice was Mantua 1537

Purpose: The "utter extirpation of the poisonous, pestilential Lutheran heresy"

So Luther started writing

Smalcald

Location where Luther was ill and wrote his latest confession

Trent

1545-1563

Second Choice for location of Papal summons

Postponed Mantua until Trent

The "utter extirpation of the poisonous, pestilential Lutheran heresy"

Purpose of the Papal Summons to council (meet)

"Last will and testament"

Luther prepared this new confession- The Smalcald articles- As his health was failing- But he didn't die

Ecumenical, Confrontational and Conversational tone

Part 1- Ecumenical- No argument or dispute, We all agree

Part 2- Confrontational- The Catholics won't concede at all- The only hope is to pray

Part 3- Conversational- We may be able to discuss these articles but the Pope has not shown much care for anything besides money

The Chief Article of the Smalcald Articles

Justification through faith alone, not works.

Antichrist

The Pope- Anyone who puts their word over the Word.

The chief sin

The sin against the Holy Spirit/ Rejectonh truth of Scripture against better jusdgement

The chief office or force of the Law

Reveal original sin with all its fruit- something we would not have believed before and without the law.

Active contrition vs. Passive Contrition (what they are and which is correct)

Active- Acting, manufacturing repentance

Passive- True sorrow of the heart, worked by the law- correct

The three parts of Roman Catholic "Penance" and what each part involves

Contrition- Remorse for sin- But how much is enough?

Confession- Listing all sins- But we know it must be impossible!

Satisfaction- Paying for sins with deeds- But no one can know for sure how much to render.

The two parts of Lutheran "Repentance" and what they involve

Faith- Power of the gospel through Christ

Contrition- Through the law, feeling remorseful, we are completely sin

Simul iustus et peccator

At the same time saint and sinner

Enthusiasts/Enthusiasm

The idea that God will come to you directly through a feeling or revelation. They think you should expect God to work mainly apart from means.

Why were the Smalcald articles written?

The Smalcald articles were written to get everyone in the Smalcaldic League on the same page doctrinally

Why was Luther asked to write the Smalcald articles?

John Frederick wanted Luther to prepare a document to present at Mantua because Luther would be more bold and courageous than the other reformers.

Why didn't the Smalcald articles ever fulfill the purpose for which they were originally written?

They were not formally adopted at Smalcald, but Luther had them published a year later.

List 4 ways God is superabundantly generous in his grace

1. Spoken Word

2. Baptism

3. Holy Sacrament (Lord's Supper)

4. Power of the Keys

5. Mutual conversation and consolation

What is the false teaching of the Enthusiasts? Why is this false teaching so dangerous?

They taught that one could gain insight from places other than the written word (like personal revaluations) and that this was the preferred method of learning. However, for this there was no check- how can they be certain what comes from God?

Give at least 2 reasons why Luther viewed the papacy as the Antichrist

1. Says people cannot be saved without his power- exalts self over Christ

2. His laws teach worldy things like garments and foods, but nothing of Christ and faith

3.He is the devil himself because he pushes falsehoods and condemns those who do not believe him

Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope: Give two Scripture based arguments from this Treatise that refute the pope's claims to power.

1. The Keys do not belong to one man, but to the Church (Matthew 18:19). Christ says "Tell it unto the Church"

2. Ministry in the NT is not bound to places and persons like the OT and the RCC- Spread through World (Eph 4:11). The person doesn't matter it is the truths he teaches that matters

What is the "deep-seated Jewish apostasy' that is Al's found in the papacy? Give an example of it.

The need to see a person as the head (Abraham/Pope) and a sign of salvation.

Explain the basic difference between Luther's teachings and Rome's teachings on original sin and its corrupting effect on human nature.

Luther says original sin is enough to condemn you. Rome says original sin (concupiscence) is not enough to condemn you, sin only counts against you if you act on it.

What is the chief force/function of the Law and why do we need that?

To reveal sin- we could never see it on our own.

What does Luther mean by active/passive contrition? Which is correct and why?

Active- Acting, manufacturing repentance

Passive- True sorrow of the heart, worked by the law- correct

In the Sacrament of the Altar, who actually orally receives the true body and blood of Christ?

Everyone receives the true body and blood, believers and unbelievers

What are the Keys? To whom did Christ give the power of the Keys?

The power to forgive or to withhold forgiveness from and unrepentant sinner.

The Church