Martin Luther - Theology of the Cross Essay - 5061 Words

1 This paper examines Martin Luther’s theology of the cross and discusses how it has impacted North American religious life. Martin Luther’s Theology of the Cross In Protestantism, there are two distinct guiding philosophies that are normally used as the foundation for the teaching and worship of the church. These philosophies are the theology of glory and the theology of the cross. Which philosophy a church practices is up to the individual church; however, it is rare, possibly even unheard of, for both philosophies to be utilized together in the same church. The theology of glory and the theology of the cross are both so very different from one another, that to mix them would be a challenging enterprise. The theology of the cross was†¦show more content†¦Baptism is meant to give one spiritual power that one did not have before. The theology of the cross is quite different from the theology of glory. In the theology of the cross, salvation is an ongoing process. There is no one-time trip to the cross under this theology. Instead, the preaching of sin and grace and the law and the gospel is intended to continually convict one of sin and to lead to continual contrition for that sin; in addition, the words of the gospel are intended to continually produce faith in the atoning work of Jesus Christ.6 Therefore, the theology of the cross is a never-ending process, continually bringing a person to Christ over and over again through the continual reminder that one is a sinner and in need of the salvation that Christ has to offer. Also, the theology of the cross defines repentance as contrition and faith, rather than contrition and human determination.7 Preaching of the law in this theology is intended to produce contrition and sorrow over sin, while the preaching of the gospel is 6 7 Ibid. Ibid. 4 intended to produce faith in the redemption that Jesus Christ offers. Repentance for sins is therefore not a single act that a Christian performs one time, but defines the totality of Christian life.8 The theology of the cross, unlike the theology of glory, never gets a person past the cross. The cross is the destination, not a stopping point on the trip. The preaching of the law is not intended to provideShow MoreRelatedMartin Luther And The Reformation Of The Protestant Reformation Essay1699 Words   |  7 PagesMartin Luther became one of the most influential figures in Christian history. He began the protestant reformation in the 16th century. He also called into question some of the basic tenets of Roman Catholicism and eventually his followers soon split from the Roman Catholic Church to become protestant. He was known to be a very controversial man not just for his writing of the ninety five thesis but for others and in his later years his feeling about the Jews. 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