Martin Luther's Basic Theological Writings – ed. Timothy F. Lull and William R. Russell

Part I: Luther on Theology

DISPUTATION AGAINST SCHOLASTIC THEOLOGY (1517)

7. As a matter of fact, without the grace of God the will produces an act that is perverse and evil. 8. It does not, however, follow that the will is by nature evil, that is, essentially evil, as the Manicheans[3] maintain. 9. It is nevertheless innately and inevitably evil and corrupt.

17. Humans are by nature unable to want God to be God. Indeed, they want to be God, and do not want God to be God.

29. The best and infallible preparation for grace and the sole disposition toward grace is the eternal election and predestination of God.

38. There is no moral virtue without either pride or sorrow, that is, without sin.

40. We do not become righteous by doing righteous deeds but, having been made righteous, we do righteous deeds. This in opposition to the philosophers.

79. Condemned are all those who do the works of the law. 80. Blessed are all those who do the works of the grace of God.

THE NINETY-FIVE THESES (1517)

62. The true treasure of the church is the most holy gospel of the glory and grace of God.

HEIDELBERG DISPUTATION (1518)

Now you ask, “What then shall we do? Shall we go our way with indifference because we can do nothing but sin?” I would reply, By no means. But, having heard this, fall down and pray for grace and place your hope in Christ in whom is our salvation, life, and resurrection. For this reason we are so instructed—for this reason the law makes us aware of sin so that, having recognized our sin, we may seek and receive grace.

A PRACTICAL WAY TO PRAY (1535)

Finally, mark this, that you must always speak the Amen firmly. Never doubt that God in his mercy will surely hear you and say “yes” to your prayers. Never think that you are kneeling or standing alone, rather think that the whole of Christendom, all devout Christians, are standing there beside you and you are standing among them in a common, united petition which God cannot disdain. Do not leave your prayer without having said or thought, “Very well, God has heard my prayer; this I know as a certainty and a truth.” That is what Amen means.

So, a good and attentive barber keeps his thoughts, attention, and eyes on the razor and hair and does not forget how far he has gotten with his shaving or cutting. If he wants to engage in too much conversation or let his mind wander or look somewhere else he is likely to cut his customer’s mouth, nose, or even his throat. Thus if anything is to be done well, it requires the full attention of all one’s senses and members, as the proverb says, “The one who thinks of many things, thinks of nothing and does nothing right.” How much more does prayer call for concentration and singleness of heart if it is to be a good prayer!

SERMON IN CASTLE PLEISSENBURG, LEIPZIG (1539)

Elsewhere, in worldly affairs, he hears other things, how the wicked should be punished and the good protected, and about the economy. But here in the Christian church it should be a house in which only the Word of God resounds. Therefore let them shriek themselves crazy with their cry: church, church! Without the Word of God it is nothing.