The Alien and the Proper

Luther's Two-Fold Righteousness in Controversy, Ministry, and Citizenship

Charles P Arand,Robert Kolb

• Publisher: New Reformation Publications
• Year: 2023
• ISBN:
  9781956658187
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Theologie & Religion
• Subtopic: Religiöse Essays

In his Galatians commentary of 1535, Martin Luther insists that "our theology" relies on the proper distinction of two kinds of righteousness: Alien and Proper. In relation to our Creator, we freely receive our "alien" righteousness from Christ who has obtained it for us through his death and resurrection. In relation to humanity and God's created order, we practice a "proper" righteousness by actively fulfilling God's commands that set down the form and pattern for good human living.

Luther posited that this distinction was the key to understanding our humanity. His regular use of this anthropological principle, particularly when applied to justification by faith, the nature of sin, and the proper practice of God's gift of humanity, demonstrates its centrality and importance.

In this collection of essays, five authors examine the historical development of Luther's Twofold Righteousness and propose ways in which it can continue to serve Christians today. Through these essays you will learn about Luther's radical divergence from medieval theological formulations, and you will discover what it means to be human.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Foreword
• “Our Theology”— Luther's Two Kinds of Righteousness: A Personal Reflection
• 1 - Luther's “Two Kinds of Righteousness”: A Brief Historical Introduction
• 2 - Luther on the Two Kinds of Righteousness; Reflections on His Two-Dimensional Definition of Humanity at the Heart of His Theology
• 3 - Two Kinds of Righteousness as a Framework for Law and Gospel in the Apology
• 4 - Civic Participation by Churches and Pastors: An Essay on Two Kinds of Righteousness
• 5 - “The Chief Controversy between the Papalists and Us” - Grace, Faith, and Human Righteousness in Sixteenth-Century Ecumenical Exchange
• 6 - Why the Two Kinds of Righteousness?
• 7 - God and His Human Creatures in Luther's Sermons on Genesis: The Reformer's Early Use of His Distinction of Two Kinds of Righteousness
• 8 - The Two Kinds of Righteousness!: What's a Preacher to Do?
• 9 - The Ministry of the Church in Light of the Two Kinds of Righteousness
• Conclusion
• Contributors
• Apology of the Augsburg Confession (Melanchthon)
• Subject Index
• Scripture Index