Freedom is such a lovely word...
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Freedom is such a lovely word, a compelling concept. But what kind of freedom does Jesus afford? Martin Luther spoke first of freedom in terms of freedom from the bondage of good works: "From this anyone can clearly see how a Christian is free from all things and over all things so that he needs no works to make him righteous, free; saved" (Luther's Works, Vol. 31, p. 356).
But Luther is quick to add, as Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "With freedom comes responsibility." The first Reformer claimed: "A Christian is perfectly free lord of all, subject to none. A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject to all" (Luther's Works, Vol. 31, p. 344).
In the same spirit the famed martyr in the cause against Hitler, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, elaborated on the social implications of the reformation word of freedom: "The person who loves, because he is freed through the truth of God, is the most revolutionary person on earth. He is the one who upsets all values; he is the explosive in human society. Such a one is the most dangerous person" (A Testament to Freedom, p. 217).
John Calvin made a similar point in suggesting that freedom is nothing more than joyfully doing what God has planned to have us do all along.
But Luther is quick to add, as Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "With freedom comes responsibility." The first Reformer claimed: "A Christian is perfectly free lord of all, subject to none. A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject to all" (Luther's Works, Vol. 31, p. 344).
In the same spirit the famed martyr in the cause against Hitler, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, elaborated on the social implications of the reformation word of freedom: "The person who loves, because he is freed through the truth of God, is the most revolutionary person on earth. He is the one who upsets all values; he is the explosive in human society. Such a one is the most dangerous person" (A Testament to Freedom, p. 217).
John Calvin made a similar point in suggesting that freedom is nothing more than joyfully doing what God has planned to have us do all along.
