Rev. Alister McGrath, in his book Iustitia Dei, quotes John Henry Newman’s thoughts on Luther. Newman says,

[Luther] He adopted a doctrine original, specious, fascinating, to the genius of the times which were to follow. He found Christians in bondage to their works and observances; he released them by his doctrine of faith; and he left them in bondage of their feelings. He weened them of seeking assurance of salvation in standing ordinances, at the cost of teaching them that personal consciousness of it was promised to every one who believed. For outward signs he substituted inward; for reverence towards the church contemplation of self. (p.301)

McGrath, quite a student of Luther, completely disagrees with Newman and quotes Luther to the extent of dismissing these accusations. Although, McGrath does admit that Newman’s hypothesis of Luther’s ministry may very well be the “prevailing Evangelical image of Luther,  rather than the views of Luther himself.” (p. 302)

So is Luther guilty? In one sense he may be since we are judged by every little word we say. What I mean by that is that although Luther had it down in his mind and even in many of his  documentations, he failed to realize the state of the culture. Many pastors and theologians,  I think, are guilty of this. They do not speak to the flock but rather they speak to their circles from their ivory towers. I’m not sure Luther was guilty of speaking from an ivory tower, but when he spoke to the masses was he clear and concise?  Or was he too broad in his ascertains as to systematically narrow things down to where they could fall into a sort of hyper-reductivism.

It appears, from hindsight of Luther’s works, that he could very well have been very pastoral in reducing concepts for the masses, and then giving details to his theological circles. It sounds brilliant, but perhaps an over-correction in his polemic; not that his doctrine was heterodox but that his pastoral skills were exceeded.

It’s not hard to just fire off a set of truths without thoroughly examining the consequences. Many of us have done it, including yours truly. Luther was a giant, no doubt, but he was also a sinner in need of God’s grace.