THE REFORMATION RESPONSE TO SKEPTICISM: ECCLESIASTES COMMENTARIES OF LUTHER, BRENZ, AND MELANCHTHON. (VOLUMES I AND II)

The Renaissance witnessed a revival of skeptical thought, fueled by reexamined classical texts and by conflicting philosophical and theological ideas which are sampled here. Martin Luther, Johannes Brenz, and Philip Melanchthon opposed skepticism because it undermined spiritual confidence in divine providence over the created world. The vehicle for their response was Ecclesiastes, a seemingly skeptical text that they interpreted instead as a ringing assertion that God controls and directs creation even though his plans remain beyond human understanding unless he specifically reveals them. Luther argued the worth of vocations against Erasmus, Brenz advocated magisterial reform as proper pursuit of a ruling office, and Melanchthon offered general advise to a friend in government, also reflecting his own troubles as a reform leader. People should fulfill their vocations, putting forth their best effort, trusting that results are wisely ordered by divine power. No quid pro quo exists between effort expended and results obtained. Best efforts do not insure one's desired results, but all happens according to God's good purposes. Moreover, doubt about this structure, refusal to accept vocations, or usurping the divine oversight to rule with one's own plans can only result in skepticism. The three reformers believed that they could prevent such skepticism on the basis of Ecclesiastes.