Mr. Marty Existence

The way Luther put it sounds pretty existential. "I believe I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in the Lord or come to him." It's like that picture that's been around - the one of the famous philosopher (not famous enough for me to remember who) standing on a floating piece of ice with his hat and cane, like he's waiting for the bus or something. But the bus never comes. The bus sank in four miles of ocean. He's probably still on that ice, waiting.
Or the play, Waiting for Godot.
What makes it all Lutheran is that we do not recapture our essence. Rescue comes by, of all things, a man dying on a cross.

You reading assignment for next time is Shusaku Endo's Silence. If there is a next time.