|
(Lat. by grace alone). Term referring to the Scriptural doctrine that man is saved by grace alone without the deeds of the Law (Eph 2:8?9).
In one way or another the three fundamental doctrines of Lutheranism, sola Scriptura, sola gratia, sola fide, determine the shape of other distinctive teachings. For example, the position of Lutheranism on man's free will is understood in the light of the doctrine of justification. Man is completely without a free will with respect to the "spiritual sphere" (that which concerns salvation). Salvation depends exclusively on the omnipotent divine will of grace. Man does not have freedom to do the good in the spiritual sense. Similarly, the Lutheran understanding of the Lord's Supper must be viewed in light of the principle of sola Scriptura. Lutheranism has consistently battled against every denial of the real and essential presence of Christ's body and blood in the Supper.
An important element of Lutheran biblical interpretation is that one takes words of command and promise literally unless there is some compelling reason for not doing so. If the words of institution at the Supper were to be taken figuratively, simply because they appear to conflict with reason or common sense (e.g., the Reformed axiom of the finite being incapable of the infinite), one could do so with any command or promise of God. Thus, Lutheranism has insisted on the doctrine of the "real presence" on the basis of Christ's plain words. Also, the Lutheran view of grace contributed to the retention of infant baptism. Baptism expresses the participation of the Christian in the death and resurrection of Christ. Baptism, like the gospel, is powerful to confer the very faith it calls for with its promises, and in each case the Holy Spirit works faith through the instruments of his choosing, namely baptism and the gospel. In Lutheran understanding it is no more difficult for him to work faith in infants through the gospel promise attached to the water of baptism than in adults alienated from God through the proclamation of the gospel in preaching. |
