DE SERVO ARBITRIO: the theological paradigm for Lutheran theological discourse.
(as explained by Robert Kolb in Bound Choice, Election, and Wittenberg Theological Method)

Over the course of several postings, I'll be putting my understanding of Kolb's presentation of Luther's theological foundation as expressed by his answer to Erasmus in 'The Bondage of the Will.'

from page 31 of Kolb's book:

3 axioms ground his response to Eramus' argument:
1. God is Creator
2. the human being is a creature fashioned by and dependent upon the Creator and his design for humanity.
3. God's chosen people--having been given the gift of faith--struggle life-long against sin and its consequent evil, i.e. daily repentance is necessary--a mysterious but incontrovertible fact.

These axioms presuppose and turn one back to this fundamental paradox:
"The Creator God's absolute responsibility and sovereignty over his creation AND the total responsibility of human creatures to carry out God's design for their humanity."

Kolb then continues with 10 Theses which summarize the reformer's application of the paradox and axioms.

I'll take up those theses in separate posts