루터의 성경해석 원리들: 예수 그리스도, 법과 복음, 믿음과 사랑

This paper aims to explore Luther’s principles of biblical interpretation by focusing on analyzing his prefaces to the books of the Bible. Luther describes Jesus Christ as the first principle. Here, the notable thing is that he distinguishes between, on the one hand, Christ as a gift for us to receive, and, on the other hand, Christ as an example for us to imitate. In Luther’s description of Christ as the first principle, his primary concern lies with Christ as a gift: that is, Christ the Savior. This paper also argues that, throughout the prefaces, Luther brings up and accentuates the principle of faith and love more often than that of law and gospel. In his commentary on Galatians, Luther even calls the principle of faith and love a “new and theological grammar.” This shows that, although the principle of law and gospel has been treated almost exclusively as Luther’s main principle of biblical interpretation, it must be considered alongside that of faith and love. Both principles need to be dealt with in a balanced way because they both function as the most important and indispensable means of interpreting Christ.