Abstract

VAN DER WALT, B.J.. The incomplete reformation of Martin Luther (1483-1546); a reconnaissance of the philosophical foundations of his thinking with special reference to his two-kingdom doctrine. Koers (Online) [online]. 2017, vol.82, n.2, pp.1-20. ISSN 2304-8557.  https://doi.org/10.19108/koers.82.2.2348.

During the past five hundred years the studies written from a theological perspective on Luther's thinking could fill a whole library, while not much is available about the deeper worldviewish-philosophical presuppositions of his intellectual development Therefore this investigation traces the relevant late medieval influences on his thinking, especially the philosophy of William of Ockham (1285-1349). Special attention is given to the three phases in Luther's development and his much debated two-kingdom doctrine, distinguishing between the rule of God's left and right hand Questions like the following will be discussed: When and why did this double-focus view of reality originate? What were the real issues which Luther tried to solve with such a paradigm? Could it be maintained in the light of God's threefold revelation in creation, in Scripture and finally in Christ? Could it be regarded - as some contemporary Reformed theologians suggest - as a genuine Reformational approach? Should it not rather be viewed as an unfinished reformation, calling for continuous reformation?

Keywords : Thinkers: William of Ockham (c1285-1347); Martin Luther (1482-1546); Johannes Calvyn (1509-1564); Law and gospel; philosophy and theology; reason and faith; reformational philosophy; state and church; two-realm theories; two-kingdom doctrines.

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