The Fourth Evening Lecture (Pages 28-36)

He started off by discussing how theologians are loved and praised by few during their lifetime. They are even regarded as men worthy of contempt. This is all because they were keeping to the pure teachings of the divine Word. Then, he wanted you to imagine yourself in scenarios, such as; what would happen if Athanasius had made a slight concession in the doctrine of the deity of Christ. Had he yielded, the Church would have been hurled for the rock it was founded on; Jesus Christ. The next scenario was what would have happened if Augustine had made a slight concession in the doctrine of man’s free will, or rather of the utter incapacity of man for matters spiritual. Ha he yielded, the Church would have lost the core of the Gospel. The last scenario was what would have happened if Luther had made a slight concession in the doctrine of the Holy Supper. Had he yielded, the Church would have become prey to rationalism, which places man’s reason above the plain Word of God. Even though men cursed those three, they continued bearing their testimony until death. Then he enters the Thesis II, where he discusses people who are thirsty for knowledge, as apposed to having physical possessions. He also goes over how you are never finished learning. And, it is considered arrogant to say otherwise. Then he discusses how Lutherans believe a single false teaching vitiates the entire doctrine. Our sermons are to contain only wheat and no chaff. Also, he says it’s diabolical to say that you will never know the full truth to students, because it’s like shooting poison into their hearts. Plus, if they know they will never fully understand, they probably will not show much of an interest in learning. Then he enters the second part of the thesis, and discusses proper sermons. He makes a comparison of two building being constructed. There are two architects, and they are both given the same tools and materials. One builds the building correctly, and the other, being constructed by a ‘crack-brained man’, is such a wreak, it collapses on itself.  He says that is very much how sermons can work. Then he quotes Ezekiel, who discusses a preacher. And He also, discusses what happens when Law and Gospel are mingled.