ST. CATHARINES CONCORDIA - Brock University

Thornas M. Wmger: AUGSRllRG CONFESSION IV & V 35
understanding of the Word as comprehending also Lhe Sacraments, so that the
Predigtunzt can be spoken of simply according to the Word. The Sacraments are then
added in article V111 in furlher explanalion, and to introduce the articles on each
Sacrament which follow. Perhaps Mclanchthon rccognized the potential danger in tllis
separation, combining Scl~waDach V11 and V111 into AC V so that it is clear that the
Office of the Ministry, including both Word and Sacrar~ient, is intended. Finally one
must note that the real issue is the externality of the Word. Faith comes by the oral
[nzuntlich] Word. What is rnuendlicl? requires a concrete Mund "mouth"; thus he
speaks of the "Preaching ~ fficc".~~
THE MARBURG ARTICLES (1529)
At the Marburg Colloquy, 1-4 October 1529, Iduther adapted (apparently) the
seventeen S~~h~~ubach Articles into fourteen Ma~hztrg Articles, adding a treatment of
the L,ord's ~ up~er.~' On the surlhce the Mu~b~trg Articles appear to abandon the neat
linkiug of articles achieved in their prcdc~cessor. However, by pawing over the
numbering of the articles and the stock phrase "Gleuhen wir [WC belic~c]", one finds
the same intimatc conncctions. The linking word again is "such". Article V "Vom
C&dwn [Of Faith]" follows on the discussion of original sin.
Fifthly, we believe that we are delivered from such sin and all other
sins, together with eternal death, as we believe in this Son of God,
Jesus Christ, who died for us, etc., and apart from such faith,
through no kind of work, stat~on, or order, etc., may we be
delivered from any sins, etc. 26
"Such faith" is defined according to its external objcct: Cln-ist and His work.
Good works find no place in Lulher's discussion of justifying faith--a dccidcd
inlprovement upon the Schwabach Articles. In l'act, with the hits of faith moved to
article X, Luther is able in articles V-V111 to alternate between justification by faith,
and thc means of obtaining this faith. Hue we find repeated emphasis on the external
At Augsburg in May 1530 the Schwabach Articles, hither10 kqx sfcrel, appeared in an ~llic~t printing under thc
trtie, I;IR Hdwmtilis c/zr.or/lcher Lehl-r cind c/zr.isrlic/~cn Glaubms ["A Confessiuli ol Cluistian Doctrine and
Clu.ist~an I'a~th.'] (WA 30"': 172-182), ascribed to Luther. Three Roman theologians reapundetl wiilr dztailed
rel'ulatio~~, Gegrri die brkni7ntnri~ iMnr.tini Lut1ie1.s . . . ["Against the Confession of Marlin Luthrr"] (CV,4
30'": 186-93). Iulespome to V they nrgue that 'fmth aionc" is ~nadcquate. Instead, pl.ecedingdiv~negraceallous
one to bring onesell LU furtbe~ grace, tlumgh which good works arc dccmcd rncritorious. Faith which works
through love is necessary. The lea1 issue is not so lnilch "faith alone" vs. "faith and works", but more whether
anything in man contributes to his aalva~ion. Faith alone points only to what 1s outside. Therefnrc, on V1 thcy
ohjcct that in Baptism faith and virtues are poured in, so hi, So~~nrd by divms love, faith does mcr~torious
wo1.k~. In crltic~zing V11 they so dilute the preached Word lhat it becomea only a lrleluis of iilstruction and
enlightenment 111 thosc who already have faith poured in. Grane (71) discusses their Cundarrienrally dilkrent
undrrslandi~ig of proclamation.
W7A 30'11:92-171; some a~ticles are in HKS; tmnslation in AE 38:XS-89. and Reu *44-4'47. The historical
background is discussed ii~ Maurer Y c! 26
Marbusg ,bticles V-V111 ale hund in WA 30'": 162-65.