The threefold pattern of Christian theology and life
I should have learned this in Seminary, but it wasn’t until after ordination that my friend, Pastor Tom Fast (then at Christ Lutheran, Jacob, Illinois, and now in Fairmont, MN), introduced me to the basic structure of Lutheran theology, seen in the first three chief parts of the Small Catechism: Repentance, Faith, Holy Living. (This is a major emphasis of the sainted Kenneth Korby, from whom I suspect Pr. Fast learned it.) Recovering this basic structural understanding of the Lutheran faith is critical, I believe, in navigating between the twin dangers of pietism/works righteousness on the one side, and antinomianism on the other.
I was reminded of this again while reading Luther this past weekend; here he lays it out quite succinctly in his “Instructions for the Visitors of Parish Pastors in Electoral Saxony” (AE 40:277):
These two are the first elements of Christian life: Repentance or contrition and grief, and faith through which we receive the forgiveness of sins and are righteous before God. Both should grow and increase in us. The third element of Christian life is the doing of good works: To be chaste, to love and help the neighbor, to refrain from lying, from deceit, from stealing, from murder, from vengefulness, and avenging oneself, etc.
Therefore again and again the Ten Commandments are to be assiduously taught, for all good works are therein comprehended.
They are called good works not only because they are done for the welfare of our neighbors, but because God has commanded them, and so they also are well pleasing to God. God has no delight in those who do not obey the commandments, as is stated in Mic. 6[:8]: “O man, I will show you what is good and what God requires of you, namely, to do justice. Yea, do justice, delight to do good to your neighbor, and walk humbly before God.”
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