Author: Victor Ashish Dasari

Date: January 21st, 2025

Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada

Type: YouTube Video Review

This morning, during my time of meditation, I came across a video discussing the ongoing theological tussle between grace preachers and law preachers. While the video was engaging and thought-provoking, it also left me pondering a few areas of potential misrepresentation. The overarching theme and intention of the video were commendable, but I couldn’t ignore some of the inaccuracies—particularly regarding Martin Luther and Lutheran theology.

The video critiques the Protestant doctrine of “once saved, always saved,” highlighting its potential to foster complacency and misunderstandings about salvation. This is a fair critique, as the doctrine has been a topic of theological debate for centuries. However, the video takes an unexpected turn by critiquing Lutheranism, suggesting that Martin Luther placed faith in one’s own faith rather than in Christ. As someone who admires Luther’s theological insights, I felt compelled to clarify this point.

Let’s revisit Luther’s teachings. His doctrine of sola fide (“faith alone”) focuses not on faith in faith itself, or faith in salvation, but on faith in Christ. For Luther, faith is a trustful reliance on the finished work of Christ—a “living, bold trust in God’s grace,” as he put it. Salvation is not achieved through our own righteousness but is what Luther termed an “alien righteousness,” the righteousness of Christ imputed to us through faith. To suggest that Luther preached a self-referential faith misunderstands his theology. In The Freedom of a Christian, Luther writes, “Faith is not knowing or trusting that I believe, but that Christ has died for me.”

The video’s use of a train analogy to explain salvation—boarding a train to salvation with the possibility of disembarking through free will—was an interesting attempt to illustrate the Catholic perspective on cooperating with grace. However, this analogy misrepresents Lutheran theology by implying that salvation is static and guaranteed without transformation. Luther’s theology presents a far more dynamic understanding of faith.

Luther described faith as a “passive reception” of God’s grace, not because faith is inactive but because it acknowledges that salvation is entirely God’s work. This “passive” faith, however, is not complacent. Genuine faith is transformative, actively shaping the believer’s life as God disciplines, molds, and sanctifies them over time. Luther never advocated for a faith that allows one to live as they please; rather, he taught that true faith leads to ongoing repentance and renewal.

In this light, it is essential to highlight another key aspect of Luther’s teaching: sanctification flows from justification. While justification is a one-time declarative act, sanctification is ongoing. The believer is continually renewed through the Word, Sacraments, and the work of the Holy Spirit. This transformative process is central to Lutheran theology and underscores the inseparability of faith and growth in godliness.

To fully appreciate sola fide, we must understand its historical context. Luther’s emphasis on faith arose in response to the Catholic Church’s practice of selling indulgences, which suggested that salvation could be purchased or earned. His proclamation of sola fide was a direct challenge to this abuse, emphasizing that salvation is a gift of God’s grace, accessed through faith. Good works, according to Luther, are not the cause of salvation but the fruit of it.

The video’s critique of the “once saved, always saved” doctrine raises valid points about the need for accountability and repentance within Christian communities. Yet, in its discussion of Lutheran theology, the video conflates Luther’s nuanced teachings with oversimplified modern interpretations. This risks leaving viewers with an incomplete understanding of one of the Reformation’s most influential figures.

In conclusion, while the video succeeds in initiating dialogue on crucial theological issues, it reminds us of the importance of context when interpreting both Scripture and historical writings. Misrepresentations, even if unintentional, can obscure the depth and richness of theological traditions. As viewers, we are called to engage critically, seek understanding, and approach these topics with a spirit of humility and learning. After all, theology is not merely about winning arguments but about seeking the truth in love.

Video in Discussion:

Video Link: SHUTTING Down ” Once SAVED Always SAVED ” Protestant DOCTRINE | Channel: JD Catholic Engage

Footnotes

1. Martin Luther, Preface to the Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans, Luther’s Works, Volume 35, 370.
2. Martin Luther, Two Kinds of Righteousness, Luther’s Works, Volume 31, 297.
3. Martin Luther, The Freedom of a Christian, translated by W.A. Lambert and revised by Harold J. Grimm (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1957), 60.
4. Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2017), 116.
5. Kolb, Robert, and Charles Arand, The Genius of Luther’s Theology (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2008), 98.
6. Martin Brecht, Martin Luther: His Road to Reformation 1483–1521 (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1985), 263.
7. Augsburg Confession, Article VI, in The Book of Concord, edited by Robert Kolb and Timothy J. Wengert (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2000), 40.