Home » Mind & Soul » Lutheranism » The Doctrine of the Means of Grace

The Doctrine of the Means of Grace

© John L. Hoh, Jr.

There are, to be sure, some delicate answers that need to be given. Lutheran theologians cannot deny that the Law is part of the counsel of God. Nor can we deny that Paul writes to Christians that they have been chosen by God from before time began.(Ephesians 1:4) These we shall refer to as the cruxes theologorum (The theologian's cross). Now I realize that the phrase crux theologorum is used in Lutheran circles to answer the question "why some and not others." Yet we can see that there are other areas where we do not have clear-cut answers. We are not to say more than what Scripture says. Our finite minds would likely explode if given the scope of an infinite God.

Rome, however, finds that the Gospel in visible form does not seem to be effective or powerful. In the eyes of Rome, the Christian must show by actions that he or she is truly a Christian. Thus has come down in the traditions of Rome doctrines of semi-pelagianism, Mariolotry, the worship of saints and the office of the papacy. Let us look closer at these false doctrines.

Semi-pelagianism was the result of the lifting of the ban against the teachings of Pelagius. Pelagius taught that man had the power to effect change in his life. What man lacked, and God provided, was the impetus to effect that change. Man was inert and God's grace put him into motion to effect his salvation.2 These teachings were modified until they were palatable. Thus through the history of the Roman Church the teaching pervaded that man co-operates in his conversion. The impetus that God gave to man is the death on the cross that merely pays for original sin; man still has to atone for his own personal wrongdoings. Even if he has to atone after death (Purgatory). This can be seen from the teachings of Rome:

What is Purgatory? Purgatory is a condition of suffering after death in which souls make up for their sins before they enter heaven. Who go to Purgatory? They go to purgatory who have unrepented venial sins or who have not as yet sufficiently paid for the temporary punishment due to their sins. How long will Purgatory last? Purgatory will last until the general judgment. Each soul in purgatory stays there only until his debt of justice to God is paid.3

The Basic Catechism comes with the claim "with Scripture quotations." But there are no Scripture quotes, as you will notice, with the above selection. There also leaves much room for doubt: "How will I know that I have done enough?", "How long can I expect to stay in Purgatory?", "What if Judgment Day comes and I still haven't paid my price, or never even got to Purgatory?" The catechism does not answer these questions and goes against what Paul writes, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.4