The Apology of the Augsburg Confession — John Shaqi
The Apology of the Augsburg ConfessionMelanchthon, Philipp
Religion
The Apology of the Augsburg Confession
Melanchthon, Philipp
Lutheran Church -- Catechisms
We, therefore, have been right in expressing, in our description of
original sin, both namely, these defects: the not being able to
believe God, the not being able to fear and love God; and, likewise:
the having concupiscence, which seeks carnal things contrary to God's
Word, i.e., seeks not only the pleasure of the body, but also carnal
wisdom and righteousness, and, contemning God, trusts in these as god
things. Nor only the ancients [like Augustine and others], but also
the more recent [teachers and scholastics], at least the wiser ones
among them, teach that original sin is at the same time truly these
namely, the defects which I have recounted and concupiscence. For
Thomas says thus: Original sin comprehends the loss of original
righteousness, and with this an inordinate disposition of the parts
of the soul; whence it is not pure loss, but a corrupt habit
[something positive]. And Bonaventura: When the question is asked,
What is original sin? The correct answer is, that it is immoderate
[unchecked] concupiscence. The correct answer is also, that it is
want of the righteousness that is due. And in one of these replies
the other is included. The same is the opinion of Hugo, when he says
that original sin is ignorance in the mind and concupiscence in the
flesh. For he thereby indicates that when we are born, we bring with
us ignorance of God unbelief, distrust, contempt, and hatred of God.
For when he mentions ignorance, he includes these. And these
opinions [even of the most recent teachers] also agree with Scripture.
For Paul sometimes expressly calls it a defect [a lack of divine
light], as 1 Cor. 2, 14: The natural man receiveth not the things of
the Spirit of God. In another place, Rom. 7, 5, he calls it
concupiscence working in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
We could cite more passages relating to both parts, but in regard to
a manifest fact there is no need of testimonies. And the intelligent
reader will readily be able to decide that to be without the fear of
God and without faith are more than actual guilt. For they are
abiding defects in our unrenewed nature.
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