On the Freedom of a Christian
Also known as Concerning Christian Liberty, A Treatise on Christian Liberty, De Libertate Christiana, Von der Freiheit eines Christenmenschen
Martin Luther's 1520 treatise: Christians are free of the law for salvation, and freely serve others.
At a glance
Key ideas
Free of the law, Free to serve, Lord and servant …
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- Luther argues that, as fully forgiven children of God, Christians no longer have to keep God's law to be saved.
- Free of that, they serve God and their neighbours willingly.
- The treatise develops his idea of justification by faith.
- Luther sent a copy to Pope Leo X in October 1520.
Why it matters
- It was the third of Luther's major reforming treatises of 1520, the year he was threatened with excommunication.
Key facts
- Author
- Martin Luther1
- Published
- 1520, in a shorter German and a longer Latin form; it is not agreed which came first1
- Sent to
- Pope Leo X, in October 15202
- Came after
- Address to the Christian Nobility of the German Nation (August 1520) and Prelude on the Babylonian Captivity of the Church (October 1520)1
Key ideas
-
Free of the law1
Forgiven Christians are not compelled to keep God's law to obtain salvation.
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Free to serve1
They freely and willingly serve God and their neighbours.
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Lord and servant1
"A Christian man is the most free lord of all, subject to none. A Christian man is most dutiful servant of all, and subject to everyone."
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Justification by faith1
The treatise develops the idea further.
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Sources
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