Martin Luther's Understanding of Faith and Reality (1513-1521): The Influence of Augustinian Platonism and Illumination in Luther's Thought

Ilmari Karimies investigates Martin Luther's understanding of reality and faith, examining God as the self-giving highest good, the visible and invisible world, and human beings as tripartite and bipartite. He explores the cognitive conflict between these perspectives and analyzes aspects of faith from the perspective of divine illumination, showing that Luther represents a realistic Augustinian view. Faith functions as the theological intellect, grasping the invisible world and showing human beings the future good.

Format: Hardback
Length: 405 pages
Publication date: 03 August 2022
Publisher: JCB Mohr (Paul Siebeck)

Ilmari Karimies delves into the intricate understanding of Martin Luther regarding reality and faith. He examines Luther's perception of reality from three distinct perspectives: firstly, God as the self-giving, highest good, uniting opposites and hiding beneath them; secondly, the visible and invisible world; and lastly, human beings as tripartite (body, soul, spirit) and bipartite (flesh-spirit). The author embarks on a captivating exploration of the cognitive conflict that arises between these perspectives in relation to spirit's grasp of God and the invisible world, drawing upon the rich tapestry of Augustinian Platonism. Through meticulous analysis, he delves into various aspects of faith, shedding light on them from the lens of the theory of divine illumination. What emerges is a profound realization that Luther presents a realistic Augustinian viewpoint, capturing the essence of faith as the theological intellect. It functions as a means of grappling with the unseen realm, unveiling the future good to human beings in a manner akin to the medieval concept of ecstatic knowledge. However, faith differs from vision in glory due to the influence of sin, which taints it with humanity and renders it partial knowledge.

Weight: 744g
ISBN-13: 9783161565311