ARTICLES OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE
that we would have presented to the council,
if one had been convened at Mantua or elsewhere,
pointing out what we could give up and what we could not.
Written by
Dr. Martin Luther
in the Year 1537.
Preface of Dr. Martin Luther
[1] Pope Paul III called a council last year that was supposed to assemble at Mantua around Pentecost. Later, he moved it from Mantua. Now, no one knows where he will or can hold it. On our side, we expected either to be summoned to the council or to just be condemned without being summoned. I was told to set forth and pull together the articles of our doctrine. In the deliberations at the council, we could then be clear about what we would be willing and able to concede to the papists, and what points we intended to persist with and stand for to the end.
[2] So I have compiled these articles and presented them to our side, which has unanimously accepted and confessed them. We have resolved to present these publicly to set forth the confession of our faith. (Perhaps the pope with his supporters would be so bold as to hold a truly free Christian council, seriously and in good faith, as is his duty, without lying and cheating.)
[3] The Roman court, though, is terribly afraid of a free Christian council. They are ashamed to be exposed to the light. The Roman court has dashed the hope, even of those who are on their side, that they will ever permit a free council—much less hold one themselves. Many on the pope’s side are greatly offended and rightly troubled at this negligence. For they realize that the pope would rather see all Christendom perish and all souls damned than allow either himself or his followers to be reformed even a little or to have their tyranny be limited. Yet I have decided to publish these articles in plain print in case I should die before there would be a council (as I fully expect and hope). For those scoundrels who run away from the light and avoid the day are taking pains to delay and prevent the council. If I do die, those who are alive and those who come after me will have my testimony and confession (in addition to the one I have issued previously). I have remained in this confession up to now, and by God’s grace, I will remain in it.
[4] What should I say? Why should I complain? I am still alive—writing, preaching, and lecturing daily. Yet poisonous people—not only adversaries, but also false brothers who profess to be on our side—dare to cite my writings and doctrine directly against me. They let me look on and listen, even though they know very well that I teach differently from what they say. They want to dress up their poison with my labor. Under my name, they want to mislead the poor people. What will happen, ‹dear God,› when I am dead?
[5] I should reply to everything while I am still alive. Then again, how can I stop all the mouths of the devil by myself? Especially of those so poisoned that they will not listen or pay attention to what we write. Instead, with all diligence, they only busy themselves with how they can most shamefully twist and pervert every letter of our words. These I let the devil answer, or, ultimately, God’s wrath, as they deserve. [6] I often think of the good Gerson, who doubts whether anything good should be ‹written for the public and› published. If it is not published, many souls are neglected who could be freed. But if it is published, the devil is there with malignant, deceitful tongues without number that poison and pervert everything, so that the usefulness of the writing is prevented. [7] Yet what they gain by doing this is obvious. Even though they have lied so shamefully against us and by their lies tried to get the people on their side, God has constantly advanced His work. He has been making their following ever smaller and ours greater. He has caused them to be shamed with their lies and still causes this.
[8] I have to tell a story. A doctor was sent here to Wittenberg from France, who openly told us that his king was convinced that we have no Church, no government, no marriage, but that we all live promiscuously like cattle and do as we please. [9] Imagine those whose writings have instilled such crude lies into the king and other countries, presenting them as the pure truth. How will they face us when we are brought before the judgment seat of Christ [2 Corinthians 5:10]? Christ, the Lord and Judge of us all, knows well that they lie and have lied. They, in turn, must hear His sentence. I know that certainly. May God convert to repentance those who can be converted! To the rest will be said, “Woe and alas!” for eternity.
[10] And so I return to the subject. I really would like to see a truly Christian council, so that many people and issues might be helped. Not that we need help. Our churches are now, through God’s grace, enlightened and equipped with the pure Word and right use of the Sacraments, with knowledge of the various callings and right works. So, on our part, we ask for no council. On such points, we have nothing better to hope or expect from a council. But we see throughout the bishops’ jurisdictions so many parishes vacant and desolate that it breaks our heart. Still, neither the bishops nor the Church officials care how the poor people live or die. Christ has died for them, and yet they are not allowed to hear Him speak as the true Shepherd with His sheep [John 10:11–18]. [11] This makes me shudder and fear that someday He might send a council of angels upon Germany who will utterly destroy us like Sodom and Gomorrah [Genesis 19:1–25] for wickedly mocking Him with the pretext of a council.
[12] Besides such necessary Church affairs, many important matters in the political realm could also be improved. The princes and the estates disagree. Interest rates and greed have burst in like a flood and are defended under the law. Also, disrespect, lust, extravagance in dress, gluttony, gambling, pomp, and all kinds of bad habits and evil. Subjects, servants, and workers in every trade are insubordinate. The demands on the peasants are unfair. Prices are exorbitant. (Who can list everything?) These things have increased so much that they cannot be corrected by ten councils and twenty commissions. [13] The council would have their hands full if such important issues of the spiritual and earthly realms that are contrary to God would be considered. The childish absurdity of long ‹official› gowns, large tonsures, broad sashes, bishops’ or cardinals’ hats, maces, and other vanities would be forgotten. If we had first followed God’s command and ordering in the spiritual and secular realms, we could then find enough time to reform food, clothing, tonsures, and surplices. As long as we want to swallow camels and strain at gnats [Matthew 23:24], ignore the logs and judge the specks [Matthew 7:3], we might be satisfied with the council.
[14] That is why I have presented just a few articles. We already have so many commands of God to observe in the Church, the state, and the family that we can never fulfill them. So what good are decrees and statutes from a council, especially when the important matters commanded by God are ignored? As if He had to honor our vanities as a reward for our treading His solemn commandments under foot. But our sins weigh upon us and cause God not to be gracious to us. For we do not repent and instead want to defend every abomination.
[15] O Lord Jesus Christ, may You Yourself hold a council! Deliver Your servants by Your glorious return [Titus 2:13]! The pope and his followers are done for. They will have none of You. Help us who are poor and needy, who sigh to You, and who pray to You earnestly [Romans 8:23, 26], according to the grace You have given us through Your Holy Spirit [Romans 12:3, 6], who lives and reigns with You and the Father, blessed forever. Amen.