“ reason is the greatest enemy that faith has ”
Martin Luther, Table Talk (1566). copy citation
| Author | Martin Luther |
|---|---|
| Source | Table Talk |
| Topic | reason religion faith |
| Date | 1566 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | Translated by William Hazlitt |
| Weblink | http://www.ntslibrary.com/PDF%20Books/Luther%20Table%20Talk.pdf |
Context
“The anabaptists pretend that children, not as yet having reason, ought not to receive baptism. I answer: That reason in no way contributes to faith. Nay, in that children are destitute of reason, they are all the more fit and proper recipients of baptism. For reason is the greatest enemy that faith has: it never comes to the aid of spiritual things, but—more frequently than not—struggles against the Divine Word, treating with contempt all that emanates from God. If God can communicate the Holy Ghost to grown persons, he can, a fortiori, communicate it to young children. Faith comes of the Word of God, when this is heard; little children hear that Word when they receive baptism, and therewith they receive also faith.”
source
Meaning and analysis
