And this, he notes, is despite luther counting his booklength rejection of free will, on the bondage of the will, as the only thing he wrote that. Plucking the tulip 1 an orthodox critique of the reformed doctrine of predestination august 12, 2012 july 14, 2018 robert arakaki the doctrine of double predestination is the hallmark of john calvin and reformed theology. In its doctrine of predestination as well as of free will, therefore, the formula of concord is not a compromise between synergism and monergism, but signifies a victory of luther over the later melanchthon. If you are unfamiliar with the book of concord, please consult the helpful explanations available in the left hand column under the introductions section. Bound choice, election, and wittenberg theological method. Predestination is all about the holy spirit using the word to create faith whenever and wherever he pleases see also augsburg confession v. Welcome to the book of concord s home on the internet. One is not born into freedom to decide one way or the other, nor is one fated one way or the other. Formula of concord 1577 is an authoritative lutheran statement of faith that, in its two parts epitome and solid declaration, makes up the final section of the lutheran corpus doctrinae or body of doctrine, known as the book of concord most references to these. At any event, we must not read this one book as if it were the only or last thing luther wrote on the subject of predestination.
Everywhere i speak as though predestination follows our faith and works. Pdf hubmaiers concord of predestination with free will. The solid declaration of the formula of concord book of concord. Why lutheran predestination isnt calvinist predestination mathew. In keeping with her fundamental teaching of sola gratia and gratia universalis, according to which gods grace is the only cause of mans salvation, and mans evil will the sole cause of his damnation, the lutheran church holds that eternal election is an election of grace, i. Obviously the mystery of election lies close at hand, and many a theologian has been crucified on the crux theologorum. On the other hand, perhaps it was all fate, all predestined, and youre just.
It enables each person to attain salvation through his or her free. Grace alone saves, but it saves by imparting to man the freedom. The expectation that the book of concord accurately reflects luthers own. Predestination, in theology, is the doctrine that all events have been willed by god, usually with reference to the eventual fate of the individual soul. The book of concord the confessions of the lutheran church. Divine election is nothing other than gods freedom and power to choose, and he has made his word the instrument by which he makes his choice about you.