We Lutherans make a big deal about the Reformation. We celebrate it on October 31, the date in 1517 when Martin Luther nailed 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany.
These very scholarly statements challenged the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church at that time, which was the only institutional Christian church in northwestern Europe. Within five years his invitation to debate had set off a fire storm throughout all of Northern Europe. Nothing was the same afterwards.
Because of our ethnic origins, Lutherans have been a marginal force in American Protestantism. John Calvin launched a second reformation ni;;neteen years later with his summary Institutes of the Christian Religion. The descendants of John Calvin have had much more influence. But now Luther’s emphasis on grace is providing new focus for pastors and churches intent on reaching out to our changing society.
During my years as an administrative leader at Fuller Theological Seminary, I spent a lot of time and conversations trying to figure out the difference between Lutherans and Calvinists. Fuller was founded as an interdenominational seminary that has long felt the influence of moderate Reformed theology. Baptists, too, have a Calvinist outlook on living out the Christian faith. “Should” is a key part of the Calvinist vocabulary.
Here is a basic insight: Martin Luther was trying to reform the church and its teachings. John Calvin was trying to reform the behavior of Christians. These are two very different outlooks on Christian church life. Personally, I think that the Calvinist heritage no longer fits well the new American culture the way it did several generations ago.
Admittedly, I am biased. But this bias is not only by heritage but especially toward more effective ministry today. Whose platform—Luther’s or Calvin’s—will better reach more people in our times?
Here are some other differences:
a. John Calvin wrote about grace but took away much of its meaning by his dominant emphasis on reformed behavior. Martin Luther was a Bible scholar who re-discovered and explained Paul’s concept of grace, letting the chips fall where they may.
b. Calvin relied on politics to establish his view of reformed church life. It was the Geneva town council that allowed him to enforce his theocracy. In his early years, Luther did not try to manipulate political forces. They just happened to work in his favor. He was protected by a key prince of his day in the very complicated politics of the Holy Roman Empire. What a great reminder that we live by faith, not by politics.
Which is a better platform today? Is it staking out a Christian ethical position and trying to enforce it on a whole nation? Or is it focusing on the Kingdom of God and adjusting to whatever politics emerge at a given time. A Calvinist approach is turning off greater numbers of bystanders and raising increased hostility to institutional churches. What happened to grace?
c. Martin Luther was a much better communicator than John Calvin, who was a lawyer writing in dry legalize. Floating around in Calvinist circles, I noticed that Luther got quoted much more than Calvin. Among his many gifts, Luther could turn a good and memorable phrase. He worked hard at appealing to his growing audience. That’s a big part of why it grew.
A take-away for today is the increased importance of good preaching in a media age. Effective preaching is not just a matter of content; it is also grabbing and holding attention. Such ability is a gift. Discover who has it and feature that preacher as much as possible.
d. Martin Luther himself had a great appreciation for the Holy Spirit, at least in his early years. A Bible scholar, he did not have to fit the unpredictable Spirit into a rational scheme. John Calvin, in contrast, was a systematic theologian who had little appreciation for what was not rational.
In this post-Modern age, young adults in particular have a greater appreciation for the supernatural. Most “get” the Spirit and are looking for a better Spiritual life. They also appreciate the world of grace that sets them free.
Let Martin Luther lead the way into the future of Protestant churches in America.
What do you make out of the distinction between reforming the church vs reforming Christian behavior? Which approach makes more sense in our current American culture?
Thank you for these insightful reflections on the Reformation. I too have recently been wondering about Calvinism lately. Most of the so-called mega-churches (mainly hidden Southern Baptist’s and Pentecostals) are Calvinist, I believe, emphasizing God is in control, determining our every step and reforming our thoughts and deeds. Their practical application messages of scripture to life have been very effective, particularly with the Boomer generation, so focused on self-help and seeking guidance. I use some of this style myself now with great response. However, I think you’re right about the post-modern bunch. They’re more likely to respond to an emphasis on a radical Grace which leads to radical inclusion, and on Spiritual connection, but “out-there” rather than in church, and will focus on social mission and justice reform. The church’s challenge, in my view, will involve a reformation in the way we inform, connect with, and spiritual shape and support these new generations who receive their information in vastly different ways than we did. One last thought. How in the world can we communicate the gospel as an overarching life narrative when post-moderns are seemingly rejecting any and all such big narratives as trustworthy explanations of life’s purposes, hopes, losses and longings. Come, Holy Spirit!
Right on! Yes, post-Moderns reject an over all narrative. So we don’t need to tell the whole biblical narrative in all its complexity. Focus on the parts that connect today. Then hope they are interested in learning the rest of the story.
Was the year 1519 in your article intentional instead of the historical year 1517?
Yes, I am deeply embarrassed. I caught the mistake in the second draft and stressed the need to use the second draft. Alas, the technician uploaded the first. Sorry.
Wow David -loved it. Somehow I missed that basic distinction of reforming the church rather than reforming the person although obviously a system of authority control over against God’s love and grace is obvious. Did you really mean to say Luther posted the theses on 10/29 rather than 10/31?. Was that a typo of something I’d not heard before. Thanks for this.
Hi, Bruce. Sorry. I caught the mistake and corrected it in the second draft, but the technician who does the uploading stayed with the first draft. I am deeply embarrassed.
I heard recently that Luther never got over his deep seated fear of God that lead to the reformation. The difference was that when his understanding of grace came he could take hold of grace. Doesn’t sound like Luther would have penned the hymn “What a friend we have in Jesus.” This May have been a difference between Calvin and Luther.
Hi, Tom. Interesting about Luther never singing What a friend we have in Jesus. The breakthrough insight for him was the difference in the grammar of the genitive form of the Greek and Latin. It can be read as the righteousness of the God who is angry or as the righteousness that comes from God and frees us.
How very insightful! Thanks, Dave. And what a strong testimony of how when we are free by the Gospel of grace, we are also free to have the Holy Spirit have His way with us and for His will to be ours also. Then the Lord is Lord!
Hi, cousin Gordy. I am glad you are reading these blogs. I agree with your statement of the issue.
Hi Pr Luecke,
Based on your post here, where would you say that my preaching falls on the line between Calvin and Luther?
Hi, Delwyn. I don’t know what your preaching is like. But typically in our circles, preaching has a lot of Calvinist theology. Motivation has been mostly legalistic, shame-based and not dependent on the Spirit to change motivation.
Then, before you assume anything, may I invite you to check out one. They are on YouTube under my name. https://youtu.be/jO_2dszO3As
Good points, thanks!
David, I think you are on to something here. It is the freedom that people seek. Such freedom is unimaginable to a heart that is searching for it in all the wrong places such as ‘doing the right thing.’ BTW- Isn’t this also the result of Catholic and many other theollogies, even the eastern mystic and islamic cultures?
Meanwhile Christ is ever present to offer unconditional love that the Holy Spirit uses to comfort. My observation is that many Calvanists who are ‘in the know’ theologically, do love to quote Luther. God address this issue very effectively through the pen of St. Paul, wouldn’t you agree?
Hi, Phillip. Well said. Yes, Luther’s Catholic heritage stayed with him.