Historical Studies (Chinese Edition)

No.6, 2013

 

Martin Luther before the Reformation and Via Moderna

(Abstract)

 

Zhang Shiying

 

Before the Reformation, Martin Luther was deeply influenced by via moderna, which formed the basis of his theology at that time. Specifically, in terms of the doctrine of justification, via moderna's covenant theology and doctrine of salvation by grace, under which each "did what he could," were quite ambiguous, and led to the trend of justification by works in religious practice. Initially, Luther considered the question of justification from the standpoint of the neo-scholastic theology of justification and formulated his own theology of humility within the framework of covenant theology. As his commentary on the Bible unfolded, he reversed his position and criticized the neo-scholastic doctrine of justification. Finally, he put forward the idea of "the righteousness of God," broke through the paradigm of covenant theology of via moderna, and established the religious concept of "justification by faith," thus providing the Reformation with intellectual resources.