Dr Martin Luther wrote a summary of what he believed so that those who came after him couldn’t claim his words for their own ends (Luther Works Vol. 37 p.360-372). He talked about what he believed and what he wanted to say about his faith at the Last Judgement. He talked about how he believed in the Trinity – in the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In unpacking what he believed about the Son, he talked about Jesus’ incarnation and death and resurrection and our complete sinfulness which leads him to reject any thought of our cooperating in our salvation and here he speaks against the medieval worldview of monasteries and religious orders (though he later acknowledges how they might profitably exist). Luther doesn’t use the terms ‘spiritual’ or ‘secular’ which is common today but for him such distinctions don’t exist and they are not helpful views for Lutherans. Here’s how Luther describes what living on Earth is about …

But the holy orders and true religious institutions established by God are these three: the office of priest, the estate of marriage, the civil government. All who are engaged in the clerical office or ministry of the Word are in a holy, proper, good, and God-pleasing order and estate, such as those who preach, administer sacraments, supervise the common chest, sextons and messengers or servants who serve such persons. These are engaged in works which are altogether holy in God sight.

Again, all fathers and mothers who regulate their household wisely and bring up their children to the service of God are engaged in pure holiness, in a holy work and a holy order. Similarly, when children and servants show obedience to their elders and masters, here too is pure holiness, and whoever is thus engaged is a living saint on earth.

Moreover, princes and lords, judges, civil officers, state officials, notaries, male and female servants and all who serve such persons, and further, all their obedient subjects-all are engaged in pure holiness and leading a holy life before God. For these three religious institutions or orders are found in God’s Word and commandment; and whatever is contained in God’s Word must be holy, for God’s Word is holy and sanctifies everything connected with it and involved in it.

Above these three institutions and orders is the common order of Christian love, in which one serves not only the three orders, but also serves every needy person in general with all kinds of benevolent deeds, such as feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, forgiving enemies, praying for all men on earth, suffering all kinds of evil on earth, etc. Behold, all of these are called good and holy works. However, none of these orders is a means of salvation. There remains only one way above them all, viz. faith in Jesus Christ.

For to be holy and to be saved are two entirely different things. We are saved through Christ alone; but we become holy both through this faith and through these divine foundations and orders. Even the godless may have much about them that is holy without being saved thereby. For God wishes us to perform such works to his praise and glory. And all who are saved in the faith of Christ surely do these works and maintain these orders. (LW37 p.364,365)

Luther will then go on to talk about the Holy Spirit, Baptism, Holy Communion, the Christian Church, private confession, purgatory, the last rites, marriage, selling religious activities, vestments and religious art, and the resurrection of the dead! (All in 13 pages!) What would be the summary of the things you believe (and teach – everyone teaches something) about Christianity?

GS