说到16世纪的马丁路德,我们会由衷地敬佩。区区小民,为了坚持真理,竟敢拗上当时的宗教权威和政治权威——在神圣罗马帝国的皇帝查理五世前,路德发出豪语,不肯收回对圣经的立场∶“我站在这里,别无选择,求上帝帮助我,阿们。”(Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen.)
他不是讲求没有原则、没有神学基础的合一与和平。在书里,他写下了千古名言∶“在重要的教条上一致;在次要的教条上,给人自由;在一切事上,用爱心对待。”(In Essentials, Unity; in Non-essentials, Liberty; in All Things, Charity.)
这句话有几个重要的意义∶
1. 请参考《维基百科》有关墨兰顿的记载∶“I had to fight with rabble and devils, for which reason my books are very warlike. I am the rough pioneer who must break the road; but Master Philipp comes along softly and gently, sows and waters heartily, since God has richly endowed him with gifts.”
2.请参考Hans Rollmann1996年7月在Christian Scholars Conference at David Lipscomb University, Nashville, TN的演讲∶ “In Essentials Unity: The Pre-history of a Restoration Movement Slogan”。