Luther's Exegesis (1500s AD) pg 57

• Faith and the Spirit's illumination were prerequisites for an interpreter of the Bible

• Challenged the prevailing 'rule of faith' – wherein the Church determined what the Scripture says, in stead the Scripture itself should determine what the Church teaches.

• The Bible is a clear book (perspicuity of Scripture) in opposition to the Roman Catholic dogma that Scriptures are 'so obscure that only the Catholic Church can uncover their true meaning.'

• Rejected allegorical method of interpreting Scripture.

• Proper interpretation comes from literal understanding of the text.

• Maintained that the OT points to Christ without allegorical methods.

• His Christological principle enabled him to show the unity of Scripture without recourse to mystical interpretations.

• One must carefully distinguish between law and gospel.

• Law refers to God in his wrath, his judgment, and his hatred of sin
• Gospel refers to God in his grace, his love and his salvation.
• Repudiation of law leads to lawlessness, Fusion of law and gospel to confusion and adding of works to faith.