A story for every day...

As soon as we can prove that a church professes a single doctrine that prevents us from attaining perfection and holiness, we have demonstrated that this church is not “holy” and therefore not the true one. Now we are able to bring such evidence against the church founded by Martin Luther. This “reformer” taught on almost every page of his writings that “faith alone” (sola fides) is sufficient for salvation. For example, he said: “See how rich the Christian or baptized person is, for he cannot lose his salvation, even if he wanted to and whatever his sins, unless he does not want to believe. No sin can damn him except unbelief.” (De capt. babyl. II vol. p. 264.) In 1521 he dared to write to his friend Melanchton: “Be a sinner: sin strongly, but believe still more strongly.”

According to this doctrine of Luther man may indulge in the most infamous crimes, he comes no less to heaven, as long as he believes. Such principles are a carte blanche for all vices: clear proof that Luther’s doctrine is not holy and that the character of holiness is lacking in the church he founded.