Well as far as the 95 Theses being written while Luther was DRUNK in a bar--IMO this is not true from what I read and from what I researched in Germany for a while last summer. However, Luther himself was known to drink. But, if he wrote that good drunk, what must he had been like without ....
...Taken from the TV thread
Ok, we all know from the biblical record i.e. David etc. and from personal experience that God can use the vilest of sinners, even from the ranks of the believing, i.e. Peter, for his glory. But can/will God use a person in the act of sin (if in fact Luther was intoxicated while composing the 95 Thesis) for His glory. I'm not saying that God has limitations but rather would lasting effects be made for the gospel by a drunk.
Not sure if my question makes sense, but can anyone see what I'm trying to say? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/shrug.gif" alt="" />
tj "-that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection..."
God has no limitations as far as His authority and power, aka: divine sovereignty. However, He Himself does have limitations which are according to His nature, e.g., He cannot sin, do any injustice, fail to uphold His promises, not bring to pass that which He has decreed, etc. He also has set forth limitations upon men which we know as our responsibility. So, though God may use a drunk, even an ass (cf. Balaam's ass) to bring about His eternal determinate counsel, to the extreme of having the incarnate Son of God crucified, this does not negate nor diminish the responsibility of men to do that which is right according to His holy law. In short, we have no basis upon which to do that which is sinful and expect that in spite of our sin God will use us for His glory.
If I understand your question... you are asking if God can/will use a person in the act of sin for His glory.
Well, my first thought is that God cannot sin. So God is not glorified in sin, since sin is directly opposed to His will. However, God uses sinners to bring glory to himself.
God is glorified for His righteous justice in punishing sinners such as Herod who in Acts 12:22-24 who in his pride accepted for himself the praise that belongs to God alone. Immediately after hearing the people shout to him, "The voice of a god and not of a man!" and not giving God the glory he was eaten by maggots.
The Bible is filled with people like Rahab the prostitute who hid the spies. Or how about Abraham who lied about Sarah being his wife and God closed all the wombs in Egypt. And then there's Mary Magdaline who was delivered from seven demons and will always be remembered for how she annointed the feet of Jesus with an expensive perfume prior to Christ's crucifiction. She also was the first to behold the Lord after His resurrection. How about Saul who persecuted the Church of Jesus Christ and was converted into the Apostle Paul who wrote half the New Testament.
If however, you are looking for support for Luther being drunk when he wrote the 95 thesis I can't imagine how that would happen. Since the 95 statements were spiritual in nature how could the alcohol have been helpful. (See Eph. 5:18)
Wes
When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride. - Isaac Watts
Understood. Assuming that the Lutheran denomination is not what it used to be I was wondering if the origins could be the cause. I guess what I'm saying is I wouldn't think there would be lasting fruit from a group with a faulty foundation. Now before I get dragged off to the gallows...I'm not saying that Luther's reformation or Luther himself was faulty (God knows I can't speak as if I'm rock solid), but IF, IF the claims were accurate, we couldn't expect lasting fruit. However, I also understand that what was passed down must be kept by faithful men, AND I will not ignore the fact that the reformation necessarily had to take place because of the lies of Rome and Luther was no doubt the instrument God used.
Anyway, just more of my simple ponderings...I guess until the accusations are proven they are just accusations unproven. Who knows, maybe someday I'll have my own to deal with.
tj "-that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection..."
Well as far as the 95 Theses being written while Luther was DRUNK in a bar--IMO this is not true from what I read and from what I researched in Germany for a while last summer. However, Luther himself was known to drink. But, if he wrote that good drunk, what must he had been like without ....
...Taken from the TV thread
Ok, we all know from the biblical record i.e. David etc. and from personal experience that God can use the vilest of sinners, even from the ranks of the believing, i.e. Peter, for his glory. But can/will God use a person in the act of sin (if in fact Luther was intoxicated while composing the 95 Thesis) for His glory. I'm not saying that God has limitations but rather would lasting effects be made for the gospel by a drunk.
Not sure if my question makes sense, but can anyone see what I'm trying to say? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/shrug.gif" alt="" />
What "perfect" man has Christ ever used to spread His Gospel?
Lasting fruit is the result of the sovereignty and providence of God, not the actions of a perfect man. Though man has responsibility to be loyal to the covenant, God can and does work all things according to His eternal counsel .....
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