Rebuttals to the accusation of Luther's introspective conscience?

[arapahoepark]

I keep running into the the idea, frequently anymore, that somehow all traditional perspectives and exegesis on Paul are a seemingly a mass delusion instigated by Luther's tormented mind. While obviously, not convinced are there any good rebuttals (I have read Trueman's "A Man more sinned against than sinning" and it wasn't exhaustive or comprehensive) that deal, not so much with the exegesis but, with the notion that the Reformation, and especially Luther, aren't merely reading their experiences into the text? Actually, perhaps any works on historiography in this area? Perhaps that's the key now that I think about it...

 

[greenbaggins]

Chester's volume Reading Paul with the Reformers provides a direct rebuttal of the nonsense you describe.

 

[Semper Fidelis]

This may go without saying, but I think it helps to have a solid handle at what Paul is driving at in his Epistles - Romans, Galatians, etc and what the status of the Flesh and Spirit are. Those who take issue with what they call a "traditional" understanding of Paul are often betraying a Pelagian or semi-Pelagian lens on the whole thing. They're as much reading into Paul what they prefer not to see. I'm not saying we have to accept all of what Luther reads into some things. He admittedly gets some things a bit off, but you can witness an earnest soul wrestling with the holiness of God and the incapacity of the sinner to respond apart form Divine grace.

 

[RamistThomist]

This may go without saying, but I think it helps to have a solid handle at what Paul is driving at in his Epistles - Romans, Galatians, etc and what the status of the Flesh and Spirit are. Those who take issue with what they call a "traditional" understanding of Paul are often betraying a Pelagian or semi-Pelagian lens on the whole thing. They're as much reading into Paul what they prefer not to see. I'm not saying we have to accept all of what Luther reads into some things. He admittedly gets some things a bit off, but you can witness an earnest soul wrestling with the holiness of God and the incapacity of the sinner to respond apart form Divine grace.

Flesh and Spirit is an interesting angle to take on this. I think there is something to that. I was thinking of that contrast earlier today.