First, it is very clear that a vow is illegitimate if the person who makes the vow thinks that the forgiveness of sins before God is merited by it or satisfaction is made before God for sins. This opinion clearly insults the Gospel, which teaches that the forgiveness of sins is freely granted to us for Christ's sake, as has been said at some length before.
Apology of the Augsburg Confession XXVII (XIII) Monastic Vows
In this part of the Apology, Philip Melancthon is disputing the teaching that taking of vows makes the person holy and righteous. He is holding fast to the essential belief of the reformation that we are saved by grace through faith. It is God's work and not ours that effects our salvation. If we try to make ourselves active at all in the salvation story, it becomes about us and leaves room for doubt if we could ever have done enough. But thanks to be God that in the Gospel we hear that we are saved on account of Jesus Christ and His life, death and resurrection.
No comments:
Post a Comment