Luther’s Low View of Law

Luther’s Low View of Law

• Gospel = God’s Proper Word

• Law = God’s Alien Word

• Only the proper word in Heaven

• Christian does not need law because he has grace

• Reason is higher authority than law. The ruler only needs Reason, not grace or Biblical law to rule

Calvin’s High View of Law

• Law and Gospel are both God’s proper word.

• God’s law is the Christian’s standard of sanctification.

• Civil ruler can use natural law, but it is obscured by sin. God’s law in the Bible, with understanding by the Holy Spirit, is clearer.