The Ecumenical Luther

Previous research has often noted the significance Luther attached to doctrine. However, Luther’s definition of doctrine and how this definition informed his dialogues with other Christian communities in the Reformation era has not been investigated. The manuscript argues that Luther gradually developed a doctrinal hermeneutic for determining whether a particular church teaching is an article of faith obligatory for all Christians. His doctrinal hermeneutic consisted of two canons (scriptural and evangelical) that served as interpretive lenses through which he judged whether a doctrine is necessary for salvation. Luther applied his doctrinal hermeneutic to ecumenical discussions to ascertain and insure that only articles of faith would serve as a basis for unity.