Vestiges
October 25, 2005
Here is an interesting review of a study of C16 debates among German Lutherans over private confession, a practice that survived the Reformation in various forms. As the reviewer’s response indicates, many Evangelical and Reformed Protestants today are surprised to discover these practices (among other things, like Luther’s regard for the Rosary before Trent, holy days dedicated to the BVM and others later discarded by most Protestants), but even today Lutheran service books contain forms for private confession, and the practice has gone on among Anglicans as well.
From Luther’s treatise on good works:
So utterly and roundly does the Apostle reject works and praise faith, that some have taken offence at his words and say: “Well, then, we will do no more good works,” although he condemns such men as erring and foolish.
So men still do. When we reject the great, pretentious works of our time, which are done entirely without faith, they say: Men are only to believe and not to do anything good. For nowadays they say that the works of the First Commandment are singing, reading, organ-playing, reading the mass, saying matins and vespers and the other hours, the founding and decorating of churches, altars, and monastic houses, the gathering of bells, jewels, garments, trinkets and treasures, running to Rome and to the saints. Further, when we are dressed up and bow, kneel, pray the rosary and the Psalter, and all this not before an idol, but before the holy cross of God or the pictures of His saints: this we call honoring and worshiping God, and, according to the First Commandment, “having no other gods”; although these things usurers, adulterers and all manner of sinners can do too, and do them daily.
This is Vestiges in The Japery, a part of The New Pantagruel. Previously: Kreeft’s Impertinent FAQ | Next: The Relapse of Anne Rice | TrackBack (0) | Comments (0)
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