Baptism in the theology of Martin Luther simper ES in Motu Et Initio
The thesis examines Luther's mature doctrine of baptism in the context of his wider thought. The study is centred upon the years after 1527 when, after the impact of the radical reformation had fully worked through, Luther's baptismal theology reached its final form, as regards content, balance of emphasis, and profile. A two-pronged approach to the material is adopted. Luther's formal baptismal doctrine is analysed according to the categories of the Greater Catechism (1529): baptism as word and water; what baptism accomplishes; baptism and faith; baptism's significatia, and Kindertaufe. But it is argued that an examination of the formal baptismal theology needs to be complemented by an understanding of the dynamics of Luther's use of baptism and its place in his thought. This is supplied by an examination of Luther's handling of baptismal themes in a wide variety of contexts in the Lectureson Genesis (1535-45). The difficulties of relating the older Luther's sacramental theology of baptism to the central themes of his thought are posed. These problems areviewed from a number of angles: the continuity of Luther's baptismal doctrine over time is assessed, and the interplay between his view of baptism and a
Trigg, Jonathan D.
Philosophy
Baptism in the theology of Martin Luther simper ES in Motu Et Initio. The thesis examines Luther's mature doctrine of baptism in the context of his wider thought. The study is centred upon the years after 1527 when, after the impact of the radical reformation had fully worked through, Luther's baptismal theology reached its final form, as regards content, balance of emphasis, and profile. A two-pronged approach to the material is adopted. Luther's formal baptismal doctrine is analysed according to the categories of the Greater Catechism (1529): baptism as word and water; what baptism accomplishes; baptism and faith; baptism's significatia, and Kindertaufe. But it is argued that an examination of the formal baptismal theology needs to be complemented by an understanding of the dynamics of Luther's use of baptism and its place in his thought. This is supplied by an examination of Luther's handling of baptismal themes in a wide variety of contexts in the Lectureson Genesis (1535-45). The difficulties of relating the older Luther's sacramental theology of baptism to the central themes of his thought are posed. These problems areviewed from a number of angles: the continuity of Luther's baptismal doctrine over time is assessed, and the interplay between his view of baptism and a
baptism theology martin luther examine luther mature doctrine baptism context_wider thought study centre_upon impact radical reformation fully work luther baptismal theology reach final_form regard content balance emphasis profile two_pronged material adopt luther formal baptismal doctrine analyse accord category greater baptism word water baptism baptism faith baptism argue examination formal baptismal theology need complement dynamic luther use baptism place thought supply examination luther handle baptismal theme wide_variety context genesis difficulty relate old luther sacramental theology baptism central_theme think pose problem number angle continuity luther baptismal doctrine time assess interplay view baptism