If it were art to overcome heresy with fire, the executioners would be the most learned doctors on earth.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Using fire to kill heresy is ironic because executioners claim to be learned.
- In plain terms
- Violence is used to stop heresy, claiming it is wisdom.
- What can you take from it?
- Violence against belief is often claimed as knowledge.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is force ever the right answer?
- Does violence prove truth?
Another view
May overlook genuine theological differences.
More from Martin Luther
Reason is the greatest enemy that faith has: it never comes to the aid of spiritual things, but--more frequently than not --struggles against the divine Word, …
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