James was rejected by the ancients, i praise it and hold it a good book. Why did martin luther discard the book of revelation. Six points on luthers epistle of straw james white. Was luther justified in calling james an epistle of straw. One the most popular quotations from luther is the infamous epistle of straw remark, directed at the canonicity of the book of james. He famously described james as an epistle of straw, because it talked about law and good deeds rather than faith, the keystone of luther s theology. In some of his letters he said that james was a book of straw because he felt the gospel was not as clearly proclaimed as in the pauline corpus for example, but his comments reflected the early church comments about the book of james which struggled for canonicity.
James epistle is really an epistle of straw, for it has nothing of the nature of the gospel about it. Heretic martin luther says the book of james is an. Luther s canon is the biblical canon attributed to martin luther, which has influenced protestants since the 16thcentury protestant reformation. Why did martin luther describe the letter of james as a. Chasing down the luther quotes about james taylor marshall. Martin luther and the epistle of straw kathy schiffer. James epistle is really an epistle of straw, compared to them. This book was published by billy james hargiss christian crusade, which, along with the john birch society, was an influential rightwing group, particularly in the 1960s. If the christian gospel centers in the triune god, why spend time with a new testament book that does not mention the holy spirit. However, we should be immensely grateful that god has preserved this book.
Therefore st james epistle is really an epistle of straw, compared to these others, for it has nothing of the nature of the gospel about it. James has therefore been vindicated by the truth of the word of god. Martin luther was the original, postcatholic proponent of faith alone. A brief evaluation of his statement on the basis of his own exegesis. Martin luther its often said that luther was so opposed to the book of james that he suggested it didnt belong in the biblical canon. Muhlenberg press, 1932, ed by the united lutheran church in america, vol. What is less well known or talked about, is that luther also praised the book of james in the same preface. Martin luther king, at least the famous civil rights activist, was actually named martin luther king jr. Sep 01, 20 since the time of the reformation, the book of james has been controversial. Martin luther, who detested this letter and called it the epistle of straw, failed to recognize that jamess teaching on works complementednot contradictedpauls teaching on faith.
Luthers biggest issue with the book of james was that it appeared to contradict paul, and it seemed to oppose the doctrine of justification by faith alone, which was a central tenet of the. James epistle is really an epistle of strawfor it has nothing of the nature of the gospel about it luther, m. The epistle of james is no epistle of straw, but instead it advocates building with gold on the foundation of christ and faith. Heretic martin luther says the book of james is an epistle. Heres the full context of luthers evaluation from his preface to the new testament. I understand the he discarded james because of the problematic verse james 2. Did martin luther really want james taken out of zondervan academic luthers canon is the biblical canon attributed to martin luther, which has influenced protestants since the 16thcentury protestant reformation.
Luther made his comment that james was an epistle of straw in 1522. Heres the full context of luther s evaluation from his preface to the new testament. Luthers works 35, 362 the epistle of james gives us much trouble, for the papists embrace it alone and leave out all the restaccordingly, if they will not admit my interpretations, then i shall. Jul 18, 2019 martin luther did not reject the book of james. This book was published by billy james hargiss christian crusade, which, along with the john birch society, was an. His hope was that the church would change some of its practices and doctrines he felt were not right. In fact, luther referred to the book of james as an epistle of straw. The believers study bible states that luther, at least for a period of time, thought that the book of james contradicted what he believed was the apostle pauls teaching that justification came by faith alone article on the canonicity of the manuscript.
Pauls epistles, especially romans, galatians, and ephesians, and st. Luther rejected it theologically because it gives righteousness to works in outright contradiction to paul. Did martin luther really want james taken out of the bible. In some cases, luther argues that it was not written by an apostle. Luthers early views on the book of james are understandable. What does the epistle of straw represent in the bible. Belief in this teaching was one of the major reasons why martin luther rejected the book of james. We must keep the commandments and have faith in god. He didnt think it expressed the nature of the gospel, it appeared to contradict pauls statements about justification by faith, and it didnt directly mention christ. The noted martin luther even went so far as calling this work an epistle of straw. The bible knowledge commentary admits, in its preface to this biblical book, that it was well known that martin luther had problems.
James after all, but were seeking to make distinctions about whether he. Martin luthers hostility to the book of james is wellknown, and ive mentioned it in other contexts, but i wanted to consider today the implications for the lutheran view of justification, at the heart of the reformation and of modern catholicprotestant disputes. Martin luther and the book of james by joe heschmeyer martin luther s hostility to the book of james is wellknown, and ive mentioned it in other contexts, but i wanted to consider today the implications for the lutheran view of justification, at the heart of the reformation and of modern catholicprotestant disputes. James epistle is a thoroughly straw epistle, for it has indeed no evangelical merit to it. In fact, luther referred to the book of james as an epistle of straw and sought unsuccessfully to have the entire book. Sep 15, 2015 martin luther and the epistle of straw. Luther famously referred to the book of james as an epistle of straw, purportedly because of its lackluster portrayal of the gospel and the ease with which it might be used to foster doctrines of worksrighteousness. Therefore st james epistle is really an epistle of straw, compared to these others, for it has. At one point in his career, martin luther famously stated, st. That is, as the works do not follow, it is a sure sign that there is no faith there.
Martin luther, the celebrated catalyst of the protestant reformation. He also considered the relocation of the book of esther from the canon to the apocrypha. What the bible says about james called epistle of straw. Apr 02, 2014 the great protestant reformer, martin luther, infamously referred to the book of james as an epistle of straw in his preface to the german new testament. This scripture must have posed quite a problem for martin luther. He called it an epistle of straw, seeing it clearly rejected eternal security. He is known for nailing his 95 theses to the door of a catholic church on halloween in 1517. Scholarships singular concentration on luther s criticism of james as an epistle of straw has caused many to overlook luther s sermons on james, the many places where james comes to full expression in luther s writings, and the influence that luther s biblical interpretation had on later interpretations of james. If im not mistaken, martin luther discarded the book of james and revelation in his initial version of the bible. Not most troubling, but perhaps most in need of clarification today among some lutherans and reformed types. Jamess epistle is really an epistle of straw, compared to these others, for it has nothing of the nature of the gospel about it german new testament, preface, 1522 ed. Martin luther and the book of james by joe heschmeyer martin luthers hostility to the book of james is wellknown, and ive mentioned it in other contexts, but i wanted to consider today the implications for the lutheran view of justification, at the heart of the reformation and of. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw.
Wengert f or lutherans, james, of all biblical books, isto paraphrase george orwellless equal than others. Perhaps none of martin luthers writings on the bible are as harsh as what he wrote about the revelation of jesus christ revelation 1. Luther and the epistle of straw the calvinist international. M any have asked for the reference for luthers quote, which states that st paul and st james stand in contradiction with one another on the doctrine of justification. Darumb ist sanct jakobs epistel ein recht strohern epistel, gegen sie, denn sie doch kein evangelisch art an ihr hat for that reason st.
James, the book of straw, in reformation biblical exegesis. Martin luther called the book of james an epistle of straw. Mar 15, 2019 luthers biggest issue with the book of james was that it appeared to contradict paul, and it seemed to oppose the doctrine of justification by faith alone, which was a central tenet of the. Martin luther and the epistle of straw the theological beard. James makes it clear that a persons works are important to his salvation, because he states that faith without works is dead. Six points on luthers epistle of straw almost five hundred years after the fact, roman catholics still scrutinize martin luther. Martin luther changed andor discounted 18 books of the bible. It really is amazing how frequently this citation appears. Did martin luther actually tear the book of james out of a. We have few references to it in the earliest stages. Those just learning it should not be surprised when they read it, though. A look at the most frequently used luther quote on his view of the canon, and luthers subsequent retraction. Apr 03, 2007 six points on luthers epistle of straw almost five hundred years after the fact, roman catholics still scrutinize martin luther. To martin luther, james was an epistle of straw that had nothing of the nature of the gospel about it.
Martin luther and the book of james shameless popery. But many people know martin luther s opinion of the book, or think they do, and wonder whether james is really to be placed on the same level as the gospels or pauls letters. The relationship of james and paul has generated a great deal of literature since martin luther made his famous declaration that the letter of james as an epistle of straw. Preserved smiths the life and letters of martin luther on page 269. While the lutheran confessions specifically did not define a canon, it is widely regarded as the canon of the lutheran church. Martin luther was born in 1483 in the town of eisleben, germany. Martin luther, founder of the protestant reformation, referred to the book of james as an epistle of straw. But james is not for the beginner of a biblical study.
He famously described james as an epistle of straw, because it talked about law and good deeds rather than faith, the keystone of luthers theology. Finding jesus in the book of james banner of truth usa. In luthers preface to the new testament, published in 1522, revised in 1545, in the works of martin luther, philadelphia. Peters first epistle are the books that show you christ and teach you all that is necessary and salvatory for you to know, even if you were never to see or hear any other book. Pdf james, the book of straw, in reformation biblical. Mar 16, 2017 when you said straw, you had in mind the apostle pauls categories from 1 corinthians 3. May 01, 2017 the book of james, which martin luther called the epistle of straw holds a special place in the hearts of those who follow my anabaptist tradition, because it emphasizes treating people well and continues the gospel tradition of gods bias for t.
Since the time of the reformation, the book of james has been controversial. When you said straw, you had in mind the apostle pauls categories from 1 corinthians 3. September must have posed quite a problem for martin luther. You see then that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
Martin luther, the celebrated catalyst of the protestant reformation, famously took issue with the book of james. You were not ready to throw james out you called him st. In fact, luther referred to the book of james as an epistle of straw and sought unsuccessfully to have the entire book removed from sacred. Martin luther s description of the epistle of james changes. Its often said that luther was so opposed to the book of james that he. The book of james, which martin luther called the epistle of straw holds a special place in the hearts of those who follow my anabaptist tradition, because it emphasizes treating people well and continues the gospel tradition of gods bias for t. Did martin luther really want james taken out of zondervan. Book of james and protestants sacred scripture catholic. It is a welldocumented fact that martin luther is quoted as having said that the book of the new testament called james was an epistle of straw. But many people know martin luthers opinion of the book, or think they do, and wonder whether james is really to be placed on the same level as the gospels or pauls letters.
Luthers canon is the biblical canon attributed to martin luther, which has influenced. The book of james is directed to jewish christians scattered among all the nations james 1. On the other hand, one could argue that if you really have faith it s. Therefore st james epistle is really an epistle of straw, compared to these others. While the lutheran confessions 1 specifically did not define a canon, it is widely regarded as the canon of the lutheran church. Jamess epistle is really a right strawy epistle, compared to these others, for it has nothing of the nature of the gospel about it. Luthers objection to james was his belief that pauls doctrine of justification by faith was in opposition to the dead legalism of the pharisees. A paragraphbyparagraph analysis of luthers preface to the epistle of james. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. In many ways, the book of james has not had an easy journey into the new testament canon.
He didnt care for james comment of showing faith by ones works and that faith without works is dead. Oct 30, 2017 martin luther said some very shocking things that will make you shudder he also was a violent murderer luther gen. Luther removed this statement from later editions and even had good. It differs from the 1546 roman catholic canon of the council of trent in that it rejects the deuterocanonical books and. Martin luthers description of the epistle of james changes. James epistle is a perfect strawepistle compared with them, for it has.
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