Perspectives old and new on Paul

By Stephen Westerholm

Brief Outline:

"The following theses of Luther, all under attack as distorting Paul, will here be examined under Luther's own thought."

1. In our relationship with God, faith in his goodness rather than the good works we do is decisive.

2. The Law, like a mighty hammer, is meant to crush human self-righteousness and to drive human beings, made aware of their sinfulness, to seek mercy from the Savior.

3. We are justified by faith in Jesus Christ, not by the works we do.

4. Though believers are righteous in God's eyes, they remain sinners throughout their earthly lives.

5. The law must be banished from the thinking of believers when their relationship with God is the issue. Yet it must continue its role of identifying and judging their sin.

6. God predestined believers to salvation.

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