Quote: Martin Luther on Galatians 4:8

Whether you understand the “elements of the world” to mean the Law of Moses, or the religions of the heathen nations, it makes no difference. Those who lapse from the Gospel to the Law are no better off than those who lapse from grace into idolatry. Without Christ all religion is idolatry.

Commentary on St. Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians, Chapter 4 Verse 8

Justification: Forensic or Moral?, by Francis Turretin

Turretin first explains why he is addressing this question (and why we should as well). Justification is what Martin Luther described “the article of a standing and falling church.” It is a principle element of Christian doctrine and thus if it is corrupted, other doctrines which flow from it will also be perverted. Secondly, he describes the two sides of the argument (between the Reformers and the Romanists). The Romanists would hold that justification is both forensic (legal) and moral, whereas the Reformers would say that justification deals strictly with a legal system.

What is meant by these two terms? If justification is used in the forensic/legal sense, then it means that the sinner is counted just in the court of God. If justification is used in the moral sense, it means that the sinner is “infused with righteousness.” In modern day discussion, the terms are usually “imputation” (forensic) versus “impartation” (moral).

Concerning Christian Liberty, by Martin Luther

Luther lays down two propositions about spiritual liberty:

1. The Christian is the most free and is subject to none
2. The Christians is the most servitude and is subject to every one

These apparently contradictory statements are found in Paul’s writings.

“Though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all” – 1 Corinthians 9:19
“Owe no man anything, but to love one another” – Romans 13:8

This is seen in Christ himself because love inherently is obedient to the beloved object. Christ, who was subject to none, put himself under the law. Christ was simultaneously free and a servant.

Luther explores this paradox also in the twofold nature of man-spiritual and bodily (2 Cor. 4:16). Scripture calls the spiritual nature as a new man, in contrast to the bodily nature, the old man. Thus in Scripture seemingly contradictory statements can be applied to the same man because in one man there are two men in struggle with one another.