Tag: Instruction in Christian Love

Instruction in Christian Love [1523]

by Martin Bucer, Paul Traugott Fuhrmann (Translator)

DETAILS:
Publisher: Wipf & Stock Publishers
Publication Date: August 4, 2008
Format: Paperback
Length: 52 pg.
Read Date: April 10, 2022

What’s Instruction in Christian Love About?

This was written in response to some requests to expand on Bucer’s “sketchy lectures,” on the topic. In this brief book, he considers two ideas:

…according to the Scripture I exhort every one of you not to live for himself, but for his neighbor. I shall later show how to attain this ideal, for it can be realized in this world and life…

There are two chapters in the work, the exhortation, and application.

The Exhortation to not live for yourself, but for your neighbor takes the bulk of the work. Bucer begins by showing this obligation comes from the way humans were created and that the obligation continues—particularly for the believer. He then goes on to decry men seeking their own advantage, how that fuels injustice, wrapping up by saying the Christian not only shouldn’t seek their own advantage but should give up what is rightly due to them in order to promote the well-being of others.

The second chapter focuses on how the believer can carry out their duties—it was helpful and convincing. Almost everything he says here isn’t exclusive to this call to self-abnegation, but can be applied to most/all Christian duties. Which makes it more valuable, really.

So, what did I think about Instruction in Christian Love?

It’s a short work, so there’s not much to say. The second chapter is useful and can even be easily applied to the modern reader (sometimes 16th Century works are harder to relate to in their application).

But the treasure of this book is in the convicting and inspiring first chapter. I really had to be impressed with some of Bucer’s arguments and interpretation.

I came across a mention/description of this book in Meador’s What Are Christians For?, and I probably should’ve waited longer between the two—I couldn’t appreciate this work for Bucer’s genius as Meador’s words were still echoing in my ears. If I came to it fresher, I think I’d be more impressed.

But oh, well, it’s still a good work—and an easy read (outside of the conviction) that was well worth the time, and in years to come will be a very profitable re-read for me.

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.