All true. Almost all people simply believe what they are taught. Most never go on their own spiritual quest.
Protestants are never taught this
Martin Luther expressed strong criticism of the Book of James, calling it an "epistle of straw" and doubting its canonicity. He believed James contradicted Paul's teachings on faith and works, and some interpret this as a misunderstanding of James's message. Despite this, Luther included it in his New Testament translation, though he placed it with the "disputed books".
Here's a more detailed look at Luther's perspective:
"Epistle of Straw":
Luther famously described the Book of James as an "epistle of straw," implying it was not as foundational to Christian faith as other New Testament writings, like Paul's letters.
Contradiction of Paul:
Luther believed James's emphasis on works as evidence of faith contradicted Paul's teaching that salvation comes through faith alone.
Doubts about Canonicity:
Luther questioned whether James was truly written by an apostle and whether it should be considered part of the biblical canon.
Included in Translation:
Despite his criticisms, Luther included the Book of James in his New Testament translation published in 1522.
"Disputed Books":
He grouped James with other books like Hebrews, Jude, and Revelation, which he considered "disputed books" and placed separately at the end of his New Testament.
Martin Luther was critical of both the Book of Esther and the Book of Revelation, but for different reasons. He disliked Esther because he saw it as "too Jewish" and containing "too many heathen unnaturalities". He also questioned Revelation's authority, finding it difficult to understand and not as clear on Christ as other New Testament books.
Luther's Views on the Book of Esther:
Disliked for its "Jewishness":
Luther considered the book to be "too Jewish," meaning it emphasized Jewish tradition and less clearly aligned with Christian theology.
Criticized for "heathen unnaturalities":
He found the book's depiction of pagan rulers and practices to be problematic, suggesting they were not aligned with Christian values.
Linked to antisemitism:
Luther's negative view of Esther was intertwined with his broader antisemitic views, as he associated the book with Jewish practices and desires, according to The University of Chicago Press.
Luther's Views on the Book of Revelation:
Questioned authority:
Luther initially questioned the inspiration and authority of Revelation, viewing it as less important than the Gospels or Pauline letters, according to PBS.
Found it difficult to interpret:
He struggled with Revelation's symbolic language and apocalyptic imagery, finding it unclear and potentially misleading.
Prioritized clarity of Christ:
Luther emphasized the importance of books that clearly presented Christ, and he found Revelation to be less focused on that central message, according to
www.universitylutheran.c hurch.
Not included in his initial translations:
In his early translations of the New Testament, Revelation was not given the same level of prominence or authority as other books.
