As we said earlier, we started a new type of article in Back to the Gospel: Back to the Classics, where we will read and discuss together a book that is a classic in Christian literature. For this discussion, it was necessary to read chapter 4 of the book Nascido Escravo.
We arrive at the last chapter of Nascido Escravo, a condensed version of the classic De Servo Arbitrio, first published in 1525, in which Luther responds to the defense of erasmo’s free will (defined by him as?Can a person apply for or depart from the things that lead to eternal salvation?, p. 45)
- In the first chapter.
- Luther examines what the scriptures teach about free will and concludes that is “free will” but a slave to sin.
- Death.
- And Satan?(32).
- In the second chapter.
- Luther examines what Erasmo taught.
- Primarily refuting the argument that if God ordered something.
- We must have an innate ability to do so.
- Luther replies: “Do we show man what to do and not what he can do?(52 ).
- In the third chapter.
- We read what Luther thought of Erasme’s teaching.
- Where he accuses him of distorting the simple meaning of the text.
- Especially Romans 9.
- Luther argues that when the Bible says that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart.
- Does it not mean?Pharaoh’s heart hardens? (75).
- But this without creating?a new evil in the hearts of men?(74).
In the fourth chapter, which we will discuss today, Luther contradicts Erasmo’s responses against the biblical texts that are against free will (Gen 6:3, 5; 8,21; Isaiah 40,1-2, 6-7; Jr 10. 23; Pv 16. 1; Jo 15. 5).
The big problem with this chapter is that man is carnal. However, the term “meat” can be used both in the sense of what is opposed to the Spirit and in the sense of the physical body. How to differentiate? Here is Luther’s answer:
? Will you notice that in the scriptures, every time the word appears?Meat? In contrast to the word “spirit,” it means anything that stands in the way of the Spirit of God. Only when the word? It’s used in isolation, you mean the physical body?(89)
Erasmo seemed to want to deny the dichotomy between the carnal and the spiritual that exists in the Bible. Luther already claims that he makes a clear distinction between?Meat? And
At this stage, it is important to pay attention to John 3. 6’s passage: “What is born of the flesh is the flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is the spirit. This text clearly shows us that everything that is not born of the Spirit of God is flesh, which does not mean that only part, if not much of the natural man, is made of flesh, and that certainly does not mean that the most excellent part of man is his On the contrary, clearly means that all men deprived of the Spirit of God are “meat” and , therefore, are subject to the judgment of God (92).
Luther also points out that there is no intermediate step in this dichotomy: “Jesus said that those born of the flesh cannot see the kingdom of God. There is no intermediate step between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan. If someone is not part of the kingdom of God, he is certainly part of the kingdom of Satan. (93)
Luther also claims that all flesh is evil (93) and that the flesh can do nothing but evil. “In fact, Moses wrote, “And did the Lord see that the wickedness of man had multiplied on earth, and that all the designs of his heart were continually evil?(Gen. 6,5). This is not just a bad trend Does God teach that only man conceives or imagines evil throughout his life?(90).
So someone asks, then, why does God tell man to repent?This was answered the previous week: “Do we show man what to do, not what he can do?(52).
Hence another question: but does the carnal man not also do good deeds?Here is Luther’s answer:
The fact is that you only look at external acts, you have to look at the human heart. Even if these people existed, they would work for their own glory, because outside the Holy Ghost they would have no desire to glorify God through their actions. (93)
If there is nothing but opposition to God, then it is the work of the Spirit to seek the sinner. Therefore, “grace is not the reward for the attempts of ‘free will’. Is divine grace bestowed despite sin and all it deserves?(91).
Therefore, under Satan’s rule, man’s will is no longer free, nor does he have his own dominion; Are you rather a slave to sin and Satan and can only desire what your prince determines?(96). If the flesh cannot do anything, where does our capacity come from, Jesus himself answers: you can do nothing without me (Jn 5:5). But for Erasmus nothing goes perfectly. According to this explanation, “without Christ, can we do” a little, even imperfectly?(95). Luther replies that the question, in short, comes down to the following: “Nothing?It means nothing, and nothing can change that! Apart from grace, man can do nothing. The “free will” can do nothing and nothing is ?(96).
But what about people who recognize their inability and need for grace and seek God? Are they not doing it in their own strength?
Luther answers: “No, but you have not yet tasted the power of” free will. “Because who will ask the Lord for help, if not those in whom the Holy Spirit dwells? God? but by the grace of God.
Moreover, “the fact that man cooperates with God does not prove ‘free will’. “God is omnipotent. He has full control over everything he has created, and this includes the wicked, who, like those whom God has justified and transported to his kingdom, cooperate with God in this world. Is it necessary for all men to follow and obey what God wants them to do?? (96).
Man is created and sustained naturally by God, without the help of man. Similarly, our new spiritual birth and livelihood come from God, without our help. But that doesn’t mean man is a little robot. “God does not regenerate us, without realizing what is happening, because He recreates us and preserves us precisely for this purpose: that we can cooperate with Him?(97).
Without the Spirit, the carnal man cannot do anything about salvation; and with the Spirit, the spiritual man cooperates with God, but he does so through the Spirit and not in his own capacity. So what is attributed to “free will”? What’s left for “free will” Nothing!Absolutely nothing? (97)
It’s your turn!
1) Have you read the entire book and followed all publications?
2) What do you think of “free will”?Does the carnal man possess you?
3) What struck you most in this chapter?
4) Anything you don’t agree with?