I have been reading this blog for quite some time. It is a favorite of mine and my wife. Pastor Weedon, you provide such great insights and comforts from your meditations on the Word of God. Thank you.
This is my first post here, so here it goes.
From Melanchthon's previous words in Article V, it doesn't sound like he is opposing the correcting of doctrinal errors. It sounds like advice I have received from brother pastors: "Pick your battles."
Not overly inspiring. I know there is a lot more depth to what Melanchthon is saying. I look forward to learning more.
I think Melanchthon's point is not - at this section - dealing with error in the church, but with SIN. He's commenting upon the passage "Love covers a multitude of sins." The Romanists at the time were arguing: See, when you love someone you atone for your sin. M. argues: No, when you love someone you cover THEIR sin. You don't hold it against them, and don't go spreading it around, but you love them the way Noah's sons loved their father.
Luther's Tischrede from 1533 comes to mind here: "Doctrine and life must be distinguished. Life is bad among us, as it is among the papists, but we don’t fight about life and condemn the papists on that account. Wycliffe and Huss didn’t know this and attacked [the papacy] for its life. I don’t scold myself into becoming good, but I fight over the Word and whether our adversaries teach it in its purity."
Sounds like the mantra for such liberal groups in the LCMS like Jesus First and Day Star.
ReplyDeleteI have been reading this blog for quite some time. It is a favorite of mine and my wife. Pastor Weedon, you provide such great insights and comforts from your meditations on the Word of God. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThis is my first post here, so here it goes.
From Melanchthon's previous words in Article V, it doesn't sound like he is opposing the correcting of doctrinal errors. It sounds like advice I have received from brother pastors: "Pick your battles."
Not overly inspiring. I know there is a lot more depth to what Melanchthon is saying. I look forward to learning more.
Rev. Jeff Caithamer
Chris and Pr. Caithamer,
ReplyDeleteI think Melanchthon's point is not - at this section - dealing with error in the church, but with SIN. He's commenting upon the passage "Love covers a multitude of sins." The Romanists at the time were arguing: See, when you love someone you atone for your sin. M. argues: No, when you love someone you cover THEIR sin. You don't hold it against them, and don't go spreading it around, but you love them the way Noah's sons loved their father.
That makes good sense. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteLuther's Tischrede from 1533 comes to mind here: "Doctrine and life must be distinguished. Life is bad among us, as it is among the papists, but we don’t fight about life and condemn the papists on that account. Wycliffe and Huss didn’t know this and attacked [the papacy] for its life. I don’t scold myself into becoming good, but I fight over the Word and whether our adversaries teach it in its purity."
ReplyDeleteExcellent! Thank you.
ReplyDelete