Habitus Practicus: Luther Submits Theology and Practice to Scripture

Abstract

Habitus practicus, the irony is in the Latin name itself. It is the study of scriptural theology that is practical and down to earth. This is a concept that Luther embodied throughout his ministry, understanding that the Word of God is living, breathing, and active. For Luther, the Scripture was supreme because it was God's Word, and God was, is, and will be eternally supreme. Although the belief in Scripture's inerrancy was not uncommon in the Middle Ages, papists had elevated church writings to the same inerrant level as the Bible. Luther argued that Scripture is the norma normans. He both revered Scripture's power while emphasizing its message for everyday people. He translated the Bible and shifted the language of worship to common German to reach everyday Germans. Luther also applied God's word towards matters of forced clerical celibacy, God's marital gifts, comforting the dying and grieving, and separation of church and politics. In all these matters, Luther not only preached them to his congregants but also applied those doctrines to his own life. Furthermore, in the matter of the Reformation, it was not because Luther decided to reform the church. Instead, the Reformation resulted from God's Word ruling Luther as it does in all aspects of his life.