Formations of the (R)eformation: Christian Liberty and Freedom

For Luther, Christian freedom consists of four main qualities: justification from sin, dominion in Creation, access to God, and responsibility through service. Each tenet of his argument builds upon it predecessor to demonstrate both the Biblical teachings as well as spiritual perspective man should have concerning God, Christ, and salvation. Luther argues that the Word of God (the Gospel of Christ) alone suffices for the nourishment and sustenance of the soul. God’s special revelation of Himself in the written Word provides the path for salvation, which teaches that faith as an inward act alone justifies the sinner before God (348).
Since it is through faith alone that the sinner is absolved of his guilt and imputed Christ’s righteousness, man is free of the Law and works, a state which Luther calls “Christian liberty.” The foundations of such liberty or freedom rest solely in the sinner’s freedom from sin and death. Furthermore, because Christ fulfilled all the Law and lived a perfect, sinless life, the Christian is freed from any requirement of deed or work to earn what Jesus has already accomplished (350). Salvation through justification by faith alone creates in the believer, Luther demonstrates, a new, transformed life, free of sin, law, and works (351).
Christian freedom extends beyond the moment of justification and rebirth, however. As the Bride of Christ, Luther writes, the Christian shares in His virtues and offices. This freedom in Christ manifests itself first in dominion over Creation. As the Davidic prophecies articulated, Jesus is a forever king on a forever throne. Luther views this dominion and power as a key element of Christian freedom. All needs are met through this power as man is equipped to overcome all obstacles and enemies by the power and kingship of Christ (355).
Luther also views liberty through the lens of Christ’s High Priesthood. Whereas the heavy sacramental emphasis of Roman Catholicism taught the need for intercession by ordained priests, Luther shows how through justification by faith, every believer was equipped and granted access to appear before God the Father. Christian liberty consists squarely on the fact that through faith in Christ, Christians are worthy to approach the throne of God boldly without any other intercessor than the Triune God, Himself (356). Furthermore, Christians are free to pray to the Father for one another and teach one another on the Holy Scriptures. In other words, Christian liberty entails priestly rights and open access to God.
One misses a pivotal element of Luther’s notion of Christian freedom, however, if the notion of works is completely discarded. Luther saw enormous virtue and command to do good works throughout the Scriptures (365). Yet, rather than as a means of acquiring justification, he saw good works and service as the clear manifestation of the freedom of justification by faith alone. Luther argues that the highest worship and victory of the Gospel is that believers are granted freedom, dominion, and priesthood through Christ, and yet voluntarily submit themselves to service through humility for the sake of the Gospel (370). Man emulates Christ’s ministry as well as reflects the perfect order of nature as it was in Genesis 1 & 2 by choosing to do good works and serve his fellow man. Good works are never a means of salvation, nor are even considered to be good unless done so by a regenerate believer, yet through good works, the Christian participates in his own sanctification and the worship and honour of God (360). In other words, when Christians of their own free will and volition choose to worship God through acts of service and self-discipline they are demonstrating in the highest way possible (given their status in a fallen world) their Christian liberty and freedom.
Rather than a call for abandonment of ceremony and works, Luther’s Concerning Christian Liberty actually emphasizes the importance and Biblical warrant for both. His main point of contention with Catholic practice hinges on the fact that the created order is far more revered than the Creator. Freedom rests in faith in Christ and enables believers to accomplish more through Christ’s actions and power than they ever could by their own.