Luther - The Advent of Self

Three Reformers by Jacques Maritain

PART ONE: LUTHER

Martin Luther, the great reformer of religion, was not the sole founder of Protestantism -- but his revolution rendered the most profound changes to Christendom's understanding of both the human soul and reality.

Entering religious life at a time when clerical life was already "wretchedly low," Luther was tormented by the need to feel like he was in a state of grace. This mystical homesickness, as Maritain called it, led Luther to turn to "a brutal craving for the relish of his own sanctity"; and, as a result, he rejected supernatural grace, set himself "free", and took his salvation into his own hands.

According to Luther, sin is inevitable. Concupiscence is unconquerable, he claimed, but only One conquered sin, and Christ paid the price for us. Thus, Luther concedes defeat, and consigns himself to the realization that there is nothing we ourselves can do to be saved.

Freed from guilt and the burden of sin, Luther dove headfirst into "anger, calumny, hatred and lying, love of beer and wine, obsession with filth and obscenity" -- all the while acting in "spirit" and in "truth."

According to Maritain, "Luther's self becomes practically the centre of gravity of everything, especially in the spiritual order." By refusing obedience to Rome and by breaking with the communion of the Church, Luther elevated himself as supreme ruler of his soul. He called this "Christian liberty." But his credo was not meant to be limited to himself -- for as all heretics claim, salvation lies only in their original doctrine. In June 1522, Luther wrote, "I do not admit that my doctrine can be judged by anyone, even by the angels. He who does not receive my doctrine cannot be saved."

Roman Catholic theologian Johann Adam Möhler claimed that "Luther's self was in his opinion the centre round which all humanity should gravitate; he set himself up as the universal man in whom all should find their model. Let us make no bones about it, he put himself in the place of Jesus Christ."

Luther -- forerunner of Modern Man and his religion.