Christians in the Public Square
Philip Melanchthon (1497-1560)
“let us learn that in those who believe in Christ, the works of political and economical life are good works and acts of worship of God, not merely secular works, because society must be preserved in order that God may become known in it. This purpose is not a worldly matter, since all activities of the political life are aimed at this purpose: God wanted them to be exercises of confession, and on account of this purpose he imposed them on us.”
Philip Melanchthon, Commentary on Romans, 1540
Comments
#1 2005-04-21 16:08 (Reply)
Not all “political and economical life are good works and acts of worship of God...” in my opinion. Rather they hold within them the ability to be “transformed” from merely secular human work, to something holy. It is when these are “sanctified” that they can be healed, perfected and elevated.
#1.1 2005-04-22 15:25 (Reply)
I think that’s precisely what the Praeceptor Germaniae meant.
#1.1.1 2005-04-23 14:26 (Reply)
I think that is why Melancton said “For those who believe in Christ.”
He is writing prescriptively, to those in the Evangelical Movement, now known as Lutherans.
It should also be understood that in Lutheran thought, to truly believe in Christ is to daily live in contrition, faith and obedience. It is not mere intellectual assent. That may make Melancthon’s words quoted, make more sense.