Читать книгу Modern Lutheran Theology - Alexandra Glynn - Страница 13

A hypocrite is an actor. He is someone who is really one way but is pretending to be another. Luther often reminded us that what the law wants, the will never wants, unless it pretends to want it out of fear or love. We could discuss this saying in detail for a while. But I would like now only to direct your attention to the word Luther often uses, “pretend.” People by nature don’t want to be good or do good. When they seem to be good or do good, they are pretending to want to be that way. And the reason they are pretending is out of fear—they fear punishment either in this life or in the life to come, if they do not pretend to want, and obey, that which they know in their heart is good. People also pretend out of love—self-love. They like the praise and power that comes from being good, or being perceived as good.

So we are all actors—we act one way, but in our heart, if others could see what is there, they would be very surprised. Little children, who are the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, are not like this. They do not know how to act. Then, as the child grows older, as the poet says, the little actor cons another part—that is, he learns how to be an actor, and pretend.

People who were pretenders, and put on a good outward show but hated the children of God secretly, they went after Jesus. It says in the Bible: “And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor” (Luke 20:20). How sad to see such blindness, and cruel actions against one who loved them so much!

In the book of Proverbs we read about pretending, lying, dissembling. It is joined with a heart that hates: “He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him. When he speaketh fair, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart” (Prov 26:24–25). And then it says that this will become known at some point, in the congregation, how matters truly are with the one who is pretending: “[The one whose] hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation” (Prov 26:26).