All flesh is grass. . . . The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:6,8)
By 1537, Martin Luther was becoming increasingly aware of his own frailty. His health began to fade. He no longer had the pace of his youth (although still prolific by most standards). And his Genesis lectures revealed an introspective admission that no man could expound upon the Bible’s full wisdom on his own. At the same time, though, God showed Luther gracious signs that his bold witness would not wither and die when he was in his grave. Luther reorganized the Wittenberg University curriculum for a new crop of theologians he saw God raising up to teach in his place. And the Lord seemed to be protecting pure Gospel preaching for years to come as princes loyal to the Lutheran confession allied themselves in the Schmalkaldic League.
Emperor Charles V observed this growing German independence too, and called for a church council (a free conference) to preserve secular peace. Frederick the Wise, Elector of Saxony, asked Luther to set the ground rules for such talks.
Luther prepared a document which he hoped would serve as the framework for any future doctrinal discussions. The council never came to fruition as planned, but the German princes accepted Luther’s work as their symbol of faith. These Smalcald Articles consist of three parts. The first part reviews the Trinity and incarnation, points of agreement between the Lutherans and Rome. Luther believed there was no need to reopen controversies settled centuries prior.
The second part constitutes the true crucible of the Reformation: “that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.” (Romans 3:28) Luther said, “Of this article nothing can be yielded or surrendered.” Reflecting on the two decades since 1517, Luther clarified that all of his teaching against Roman error was simply a relentless defense of this chief doctrine.
The third part speaks of doctrines he felt might yet have to face their time of trial. Luther knew that more controversy lay ahead for the church, where articles clear to him at the time might be debated “with learned and reasonable men, or among ourselves.” He feared the next generation would have to wrestle with questions concerning original sin, the Law/ Gospel distinction, ceremonies, and more. He was right. After his death, the Formula of Concord would be needed to maintain the confession of the true doctrine when controversy arose over these very articles. Since then, the Lutheran church has seen many sad departures from—and bold stands for—God’s Word.
Even our Church of the Lutheran Confession was born out of such necessity and has dealt with her own questions. That “third part” of the Smalcald Articles foresaw several of them, like our synod’s resolutions on the ministry and the third use of the law. By God’s grace, though, each time of trial has ended with a pure and united confession. Questions spring up from the flesh like grass from the ground, but God grants answers from Holy Scripture, for through it all, “the Word of the Lord endures forever.” (I Peter 1:25)
The Smalcald Articles were the Reformer’s last will and testament, expressing his confidence that although he was fading, God alone would preserve His truth. May you come to find with age, as Luther did, that as you can do less and less, your Savior fills the void with faith in Him and His precious Word. He knows how frail our powers / Who but from dust are made; / We flourish like the flowers, / And even so we fade . . .
God’s grace alone endureth, / And children’s children yet shall prove / How He with strength assureth / The hearts of all that seek His love. (TLH 34, verses 3-4)
Timothy Daub is pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Hecla, South Dakota.