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Martin Luther Sin Analysis

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This is one of the common questions that many theologians had wrestled with for a long time. During the week of the Reformation, I was presented a new nuance concerning this topic. Especially, the forum has helped me to better understand what God is telling us about sin. First of all, what is sin? John Calvin in the Institute described sin as it seen to be a hereditary depravity and corruption of our nature. Calvin talked about that the original sin resulted not only sin for the human race, but eternal guilt. John Calvin explained what the total depravity means to us he used the TULIP doctrine: Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, Perseverance of the Saints. Calvin makes it clear that God is not the author of sin and that the whole human race is corrupted because of sin (“Institutes of the Christian Religion - Christian Classics Ethereal Library,” n.d.). Another great reformer, Martin Luther highlights something really important that people often tend to miss out, that salvation is by faith alone; therefore, we are not saved by our works. This gives Christians assurance that Christ did this all for His people, He paid it all for whoever believes in him. Therefore, …show more content…

Both Calvin and Luther, argued the origin of sin, which is the heart. Temptation was present yesterday and today, therefore, Christians should have clarity about their moral and the standards that God has for humanity. Today’s culture created a tension in between God’s standards and the what the “culture believes”. However, it must be stated that this is not a “new” issue of just today, reformers were struggling with this concept as well. Calvin states that “in forming an estimate of sins, we are often imposed upon by imagining that the more hidden the less heinous they are” (Institutes of the Christian

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