Martin Luther, Von der Wiedertaufe

Description

From 1527/28, Martin Luther (1483-1546) was well-informed about the southern German Anabaptist movement and its expansion. An early testimony to his view of the Baptists is the text "Von der Wiedertaufe" (On Anabaptism), which appeared in early 1528. It was written in response to a letter from two pastors, who pointed out to him a work by Balthasar Hubmaier (1485-1528), a prominent figure from Baptist circles. According to the two pastors, Hubmaier had referred to Luther in one of his writings. In his reply, Luther comments on the central doctrinal view of the Anabaptists. He rejects their argument that nothing is known about baptism during infancy and that therefore it is impossible to believe in it later on. For him, baptism is a public work of God, which obtains legitimacy through the witnesses. If baptism in infancy is executed in public, it is valid. Luther also does not recognise the strong orientation of the Anabaptists towards their personal faith. For the Anabaptists, the baptismal procedure only makes sense if the person being baptised can already believe. An infant is not capable of it. Luther replies that it is not possible to ascertain the faith with certainty. It is known from the Bible that John the Baptist already believed in his mother's womb. Moreover, the sacrament is not necessarily dependent on faith, since God's word stand above all else. Despite his criticism of the Anabaptists, Luther rejects the harsh and relentless persecution by the authorities. Everyone should be allowed to live his own faith. Whoever believes something "wrong" has to expect commensurate punishment in the afterlife. Datum: 2016