Martin Luther Quotes on Knowledge
Martin Luther (1483–1546), the Augustinian friar whose 1517 indulgence-controversy theses launched the Reformation, gave Protestant theology its founding epistemological doctrine of sola scriptura — the principle that the canonical scriptures, as interpreted under the guidance of the gospel of justification by faith alone, supply the immediate and self-authenticating norm of Christian knowledge against the accreted authority of popes, councils, and scholastic philosophers. The famous polemics against natural reason in matters of salvation — including the description of reason as "the devil's whore" when it presumes to judge the gospel — frame Luther's distinctive theology of the cross, in which the crucified Christ rather than a metaphysical first principle is the proper object of saving knowledge.
Quotes
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Attributed to Martin Luther:
“A simple layman armed with Scripture is greater than the mightiest pope without it.”
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“Latin text: Weimar Briefwechsel (correspondence), 1, n. 62, p. 152, 6)”
Wikiquote -
“The quote actually comes from Von dem eelichen Leben (1522). It can be seen in an original edition here , in a 19th century reissue here , and in English translation (as " On the Estate of Marriage ") here .”
If a woman becomes weary and at last dead from bearing, that matters not; let her only die from bearing, she is there to do it. -
“On Infant Baptism," Large Catechism (1529)”
Lastly, we must also know what Baptism signifies, and why God has ordained just such external sign and ceremony for the Sacrament by which we are first received into the Christian Church. But the act or ceremony is this, that we are sunk under the water, which passes over us, and afterwards are drawn out again. These two parts, to be sunk under the water and drawn out again, signify the power and -
“On Infant Baptism," Large Catechism (1529)”
The heathen really make their self-invented notions and dreams of God and idol. Ultimately, they put their trust in that which is nothing. So it is with all idolatry. For it happens not merely by erecting an image and worshipping it, but rather it happens in the heart. For the heart seeks help and consolation from creatures, saints, or devils. It neither cares for God, nor looks to Him for anythin -
“By the law is the knowledge of sin [Rom 3:20], so the word of grace comes only to those who are distressed by a sense of sin and tempted to despair.”
On the Bondage of the Will(1525) | p. 168 -
“I know that a Christian should be humble, but against the Pope I am going to be proud and say to him: “You, Pope, I will not have you for my boss, for I am sure that my doctrine is divine.””
Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians(1535) | Chapter 2, Verse 6 -
“Those who read and rightly understand my teaching will not start an insurrection; they have not learned that from me.”
A Sincere Admonition to All Christians to Guard Against Insurrection and Rebellion(1522) | p. 65 -
“If it were art to overcome heresy with fire, the executioners would be the most learned doctors on earth.”
To the Christian Nobility of the German States (1520), translated by Charles M. Jacobs, reported in rev. James Atkinson, The Christian in Society , I (Luther's Works, ed. James Atkinson, vol. 44), p. 207 (1966) -
“There can be no doubt that the Virgin Mary is in heaven. How it happened we do not know.”
Weimar edition of Martin Luther's Works (Translation by William J. Cole) Vol. 10, p. 268