To martin luther, james was an epistle of straw that had nothing of the nature of the gospel about it. In luthers large catechism, he states that but i am baptized. He famously described james as an epistle of straw, because it talked about law and good deeds rather than faith, the keystone of luthers theology. This is because he did not believe it would ever be possible for these things to be fulfilled. But, even though it is a gift, something we cannot earn, we are expected to obey god if we are to receive that gift. Nrsv luther saw this verse as a contradiction to pauls writings. James makes it clear that a persons works are important to his salvation, because he states that faith without works is dead. Luther removed this statement from later editions and even had good. Jamess epistle is really an epistle of straw, compared to these others, for it has nothing of the nature of the gospel about it why would any support and follow a movement propagated by this dude. Why has my lutheran friend never heard of the rapture.
Lutherbibel is a german language bible translation from hebrew and ancient greek by martin luther. Even in regard to the new testament it required all the powers of resistance on the part of the more conservative reformers to prevent luther from flinging out the epistle of st. Is the substance of christ and the gospel not found in james epistle. The new testament was first published in 1522 and the complete bible, containing the old and new testaments with apocrypha, in 1534. Belief in this teaching was one of the major reasons why martin luther rejected the book of james. I understand the he discarded james because of the problematic verse james 2. What led martin luther to conclude the book of james to be lacking authority. Martin luthers disappointment with james casts some serious doubt over the great reformers understanding of the gospel. Luthers canon is the biblical canon attributed to martin luther, which has influenced. Study james using martin luthers bible commentary to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning. Finding jesus in the book of james banner of truth usa. Hi guys some of you maybe aware im coming on a ministry trip to the usa in 2020 and we are trying to raise funds for a van if you feel led would you please consider donating to this ministry trip.
Martin luther, founder of the protestant reformation, referred to the book of james as an epistle of straw. Therefore st james epistle is really an epistle of straw, compared to these others, for it has nothing of the nature of the gospel about it. Luther and the epistle of straw noncatholic religions. What is the meaning of the phrase epistle of straw answers. James epistle is really an epistle of straw, compared to them. He also could never reconcile the epistle of james with the book of romans. His hope was that the church would change some of its practices and doctrines he felt were not right. Heretic martin luther says the book of james is an. James epistle is really an epistle of strawfor it has nothing of the nature of the gospel about it luther, m. Paul and all the rest of scripture in ascribing justification to works.
From what i have researched, he tried to get rid of some of the books we currently have, including hebrews, james, and revelation and the seven old testament books he was successful with. If the christian gospel centers in the triune god, why spend time with a new testament book that does not mention the holy spirit. Did martin luther repent in his position toward the. May 15, 2005 even in regard to the new testament it required all the powers of resistance on the part of the more conservative reformers to prevent luther from flinging out the epistle of st. Martin luther, founder of the protestant reformation, referred to the book of james as an epistle of. Martin luther book of james epistle of straw brian johnston. In luthers preface to the new testament, published in 1522, revised in 1545, in the works of martin luther, philadelphia. Luther did say that james was an epistle of straw, but any farmer will tell you that straw is good for something. He famously described james as an epistle of straw, because it talked about law and good deeds rather than faith, the keystone of luther s theology. Martin luther, the celebrated catalyst of the protestant reformation, famously took issue with the book of james. Luther, according to the holman bible dictionary, disciples study bible and other references, had the greatest difficulty with what james wrote about faith and works in the second. Why did martin luther discard the book of revelation. Martin luthers revelation of saved by faith is the foundation for his split from.
What is less well known or talked about, is that luther also praised the book of james in the same preface. Those just learning it should not be surprised when they read it, though. The bible knowledge commentary admits, in its preface to this biblical book, that it was well known that martin luther had problems. Pauls epistles, especially romans, galatians, and ephesians, and st. Perhaps none of martin luthers writings on the bible are as harsh as what he wrote about the revelation of jesus christ revelation 1. The image of straw recalls the pauline metaphor of wood.
At one point in his career, martin luther famously stated, st. May 01, 2017 the book of james, which martin luther called the epistle of straw holds a special place in the hearts of those who follow my anabaptist tradition, because it emphasizes treating people well and continues the gospel tradition of gods bias for t. In other words, luther taught that the book of james contradicted the doctrine of sola fide, or justification by faith alone. Luther famously referred to the book of james as an epistle of straw, purportedly because of its lackluster portrayal of the gospel and the ease with which it might be used to foster doctrines of worksrighteousness. James epistle is a perfect strawepistle compared with them, for it has in it. When you referred to james as an epistle of straw, you did not question its inclusion in the canon of scripture, but sought to clarify its place with. Does the book of james build straw on the foundation of christ.
The epistle of james is no epistle of straw, but instead it advocates building with gold on the foundation of christ and faith. Luther s condemnation for james comes from verse 2. Muhlenberg press, 1932, ed by the united lutheran church in america, vol. Wengert f or lutherans, james, of all biblical books, isto paraphrase george orwellless equal than others. The book of james, which martin luther called the epistle of straw holds a special place in the hearts of those who follow my anabaptist tradition, because it emphasizes treating people well and continues the gospel tradition of gods bias for t. Apr 03, 2007 six points on luthers epistle of straw almost five hundred years after the fact, roman catholics still scrutinize martin luther. In fact, luther positioned not only james at the end of the german bible but also hebrews, jude, and revelation. The believers study bible states that luther, at least for a period of time, thought that the book of james contradicted what he believed was the apostle pauls teaching that justification came by faith alone article on the canonicity of the manuscript. Martin luther s initial reaction, early in his ministry, to james comments on the importance of works is that st. Since the time of the reformation, the book of james has been controversial. Oct 30, 2017 hi guys some of you maybe aware im coming on a ministry trip to the usa in 2020 and we are trying to raise funds for a van if you feel led would you please consider donating to this ministry trip. If there was any book in the new testament that was more subject to attack by martin luther it was none other than the epistle of james. But many people know martin luthers opinion of the book, or think they do, and wonder whether james is really to be placed on the same level as the gospels or pauls letters.
James the straw apostle and martin luther the grit in. Martin luther called the book of james an epistle of straw. Therefore st james epistle is really an epistle of straw, compared to these others, for it has. This was simply because luther had become an antinomian and thus wanted an easy salvation that was devoid of repentance in accordance with faith. However, anglican and lutheran bibles usually still contained these books until the.
Martin luthers initial reaction, early in his ministry, to james comments on the importance of works is that st. Peters first epistle are the books that show you christ and teach you all that it is necessary and salvatory for you to know, even if you were never to see or hear any. What the bible says about james called epistle of straw. The holy tradition of the orthodox church teaches that the book of james was written not by either of the apostles, but by the brother of the lord who was the first bishop of the church in jerusalem see acts 15, galatians 1. Anyone who cant hear the gospel in this epistle, has a problem. This fault, therefore, proves that this epistle is not the work of any apostle. You see then that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. After receiving much criticism over his statement, martin luther removed that phrase in later editions of his preface to the new testament, but his original comment has raised questions over the centuries. Martin luthers description of the epistle of james changes. Six points on luthers epistle of straw almost five hundred years after the fact, roman catholics still scrutinize martin luther. Jun, 20 luther famously referred to the book of james as an epistle of straw, purportedly because of its lackluster portrayal of the gospel and the ease with which it might be used to foster doctrines of worksrighteousness.
Luther s canon is the biblical canon attributed to martin luther, which has influenced however, these books are ordered last in the germanlanguage luther bible to this day. No single biblical book or apostolic epistle not even romans tells the whole story on its own, or provides all the essential details. A look at the most frequently used luther quote on his view of the canon, and luthers subsequent retraction. In luther s preface to the new testament, published in 1522, revised in 1545, in the works of martin luther, philadelphia. We must keep the commandments and have faith in god. Jamess short epistle is a call to christian action, to living out the gospel we profess, not just believing it. Martin luther and the book of james shameless popery. Chasing down the luther quotes about james taylor marshall. If hes right about this, then either the bible is wrong, or protestants are wrong. Martin luther was born in 1483 in the town of eisleben, germany. Luther and the epistle of straw part 2 martin luther held the epistle of james in low esteem in part because, as he saw it, it is flatly against st.
Seems to me weve got a straw man, rather than a straw epistle. Martin luther, the celebrated catalyst of the protestant reformation. Yet, the book of james explains just the opposite concerning salvation. It was the first full translation of the bible into german based mainly on the original hebrew and greek texts and not the latin vulgate. Martin luther is known to have called the book of james an epistle of straw. It seems he felt disappointed that it didnt contain any exalted description of christ, nor make reference to the work of the spirit, and didnt work hard to defend the faith.
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. If im not mistaken, martin luther discarded the book of james and revelation in his initial version of the bible. Did martin luther really want james taken out of the bible. Sep 01, 20 since the time of the reformation, the book of james has been controversial. The original german luther bible contained it all just as the 1611 king james bible. Peters first epistle are the books that show you christ and teach you all that is necessary and salvatory for you to know, even if you were never to see or hear any other book. The bible is consistent and plain in its teaching that salvation is a gift from god. The protestant reformer martin luther denied it was the work of an apostle and termed it an epistle of straw. The book of james is so clear that it even says that your religion is worthless if.
A paragraphbyparagraph analysis of luthers preface to the epistle of james. A look at the most frequently used luther quote on his view of the canon, and luther s subsequent retraction. He called it an epistle of straw, seeing it clearly rejected eternal security. Martin luther didnt seem overly impressed with the bible letter by james, describing it as a right strawy epistle. One the most popular quotations from luther is the infamous epistle of straw remark, directed at the canonicity of the book of james. What does the epistle of straw represent in the bible. Luthers works 35, 362 the epistle of james gives us much trouble, for the papists embrace it alone and leave out all the restaccordingly, if they will not admit my interpretations, then i shall. Luther famously referred to the book of james as an epistle of straw, purportedly because of its lackluster portrayal of the gospel and the ease. And his criterion was that they lacked evangelical purity.
I find it interesting that most people complaining about luther leave out the preceding part. After all, in making up his new religion, luthers ultimate recourse was to his. In fact, luther referred to the book of james as an epistle of straw and sought unsuccessfully to have the entire book. The testing of our faith is like the refining process for gold. Jamess epistle is really a right strawy epistle, compared to these others, for it has nothing of the nature of the gospel about it. Martin luther changed andor discounted 18 books of the bible. Because of the growing number of jewish converts to the gospel, the. Frustrated by religious leaders who claimed this book supported their mistaken ideas that people could buy their salvation through monetary gifts to the church, luther uttered his illadvised phrase. Luther and the epistle of straw the calvinist international. Presented by greg sanny, may 16, 2015, at united church of. In some cases, luther argues that it was not written by an apostle.
As we stated luther reflected the questions the early christian church has about the authorship and in some cases content of the works that. Martin luther s description of the epistle of james changes. After receiving much criticism over his statement, martin luther removed that phrase in later editions of his preface to the new testament, but his original comment has. James epistle is a perfect strawepistle compared with them, for it has martin luthers description of the epistle of james changes. James epistle is a perfect straw epistle compared with them, for it has martin luther s description of the epistle of james changes. Luther never rejected a book of the bible, nor the apocrypha. Jamess epistle is really an epistle of straw, compared to these others, for it has nothing of the nature of the gospel about it german new testament, preface, 1522 ed. Many readers fail to realize that james is an endtime book. It is well known that luther deemed it impossible to harmonize the two apostles in this article, and characterized the epistle of james as an epistle of straw, because it had no evangelical character keine evangelische art. Therefore st james epistle is really an epistle of straw, compared to these. Its often said that luther was so opposed to the book of james that he suggested it didnt belong in the biblical canon. James as unworthy to remain within the volume of holy scripture an epistle of straw he called it, with no character of the gospel in it. Heretic martin luther says the book of james is an epistle. The bible knowledge commentary admits, in its preface to this biblical book, that it was well known that martin luther had problems with this new testament work.
But james is not for the beginner of a biblical study. Luther and the canon of scripture and six points on luthers epistle of straw. A paragraphbyparagraph analysis of luther s preface to the epistle of james. Luthers canon is the biblical canon attributed to martin luther, which has influenced however, these books are ordered last in the germanlanguage luther bible to this day.
May 27, 2015 what led martin luther to conclude the book of james to be lacking authority. Martin luther, founder of the protestant reformation. He is known for nailing his 95 theses to the door of a catholic church on halloween in 1517. Martin luther book of james epistle of straw brian. For further information, please explore the articles on the change section of this website. Jan, 2016 if there was any book in the new testament that was more subject to attack by martin luther it was none other than the epistle of james. The noted martin luther even went so far as calling this work an epistle of straw. In fact, luther referred to the book of james as an epistle of straw and. Six points on luthers epistle of straw james white. Presented by greg sanny, may 16, 2015, at united church of god in northwest arkansas. Apr 02, 2014 the great protestant reformer, martin luther, infamously referred to the book of james as an epistle of straw in his preface to the german new testament. James epistle is really an epistle of straw, for it has nothing of the nature of the gospel about it.
This scripture must have posed quite a problem for martin luther. But many people know martin luther s opinion of the book, or think they do, and wonder whether james is really to be placed on the same level as the gospels or pauls letters. He didnt think it expressed the nature of the gospel, it appeared to contradict pauls statements about justification by faith, and it didnt directly mention christ. Heres the full context of luthers evaluation from his preface to the new testament.