PATTERN OF SOUND WORDS

Tag: Johannes Brenz

  • Johannes Brenz’s Summary of the Gospel for Quinquagesima

    Here is my translation of Johannes Brenz’s summary of the Holy Gospel for Quinquagesima (Luke 18:31–43) as found in his Postilla (pg. LXIX). Square brackets and footnotes are my own notes and additions.

    Summary of This Gospel

    In this Gospel we learn:

    1. First, where all the prophecy of the prophets has looked for the most part, and in which places Holy Scripture deals with the suffering and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. [v. 31–33]
    2. Second, to this end, the Gospel is not a new doctrine. [v. 31–33]
    3. Third, why Christ preached concerning His suffering. [v. 31–33]
    4. Fourth, that human reason darkens the bright clear truth in such a way that man cannot see it. Likewise, why the weakness of the apostles is held before us, namely, that we learn to know ourselves and give God alone the honor. [v. 34]
    5. Fifth, the blind beggar is dealt with, where it is to be noted how the Law of the Jews at that time was no longer observed.1 Also, that one ought not turn away the hand from any needy person, so that God may bless us. [v. 35–43]
    6. Sixth, why tribulations are sent to us, namely, not only on account of our sins, but also that God’s work and glory may be revealed in us. [v. 42–43]
    7. Seventh, the blind man teaches us how we ought to grasp onto Christ, whom we ought to follow in every trial (Anfechtung). [v. 35–43]
    1. Later in the sermon (pg. LXXII), Brenz will cite Deuteronomy 15[:7–11], Leviticus 19[:9–10], and Deuteronomy 14[:28–29] to show Israel’s obligation to care for the poor. Many places from the prophets could also have been cited which speak about Israel despising the poor (e.g., Isaiah 3:14–15, Ezekiel 22:29, etc.). ↩︎

  • Johannes Brenz’s Summary of the Gospel for Sexagesima

    Here is another brief translation of Johannes Brenz’s sermon outline for the Gospel of Sexagesima (Luke 8:4–18) as found in his Postilla (pg. LXIIII).

    Artwork found in Brenz’s Postilla (1556), pg. LXIIII

    Summary of this Gospel

    In this Gospel, we learn:

    1. First, that the doctrine of the Gospel is not the cause of all misfortune and evil, but rather Satan and our sin.
    2. Second, what Christ’s doctrine is, namely, concerning the Kingdom of God.
    3. Third, that our unbelief and malice are a cause that we cannot understand the Gospel.
    4. Fourth, the hearers of the Gospel are dealt with, namely, that there are four kinds.
      • The first are those who according to the Gospel remain knaves (Buben) as before; and here is taught how these ought to conduct themselves so that they do not perish.
      • The second are those who receive the Gospel with joy, but as soon an evil wind comes, they have no faith; how these may be preserved is also taught alongside.
      • The third are those who because of anxiety, sustenance, or the riches of this world cannot grasp the Gospel; how these should act so that they may come to eternal life is also indicated.
      • The fourth are those who hear the Gospel and keep it, who will be saved.
    5. Fifth, it is also taught how there is no estate higher before God and of more worth than another.
    6. Last, that the Gospel, where it is preached, does not depart without fruit.