Luther’s moral synthesis: occamism, Christian mysticism and the idea of being

Abstract

To Luther human beings can only come to true redemptive knowledge through the Word and through faith. Although philosophical knowledge in the domain of man’s earthly exis-tence cannot provide him with true knowledge in matters of faith, such knowledge is of much importance for man’s earthly existence from a moral point of view. By submitting to universal being even unbelievers can gain valuable insights into moral matters. Such moral insights are important for making human co-existence possible in society. Within the broad context of Luther’s Occamist views on knowledge, both German mysticism and the Stoic-Ciceronian idea of being contribute towards a synthesis from which Luther’s views on morals in matters of faith and philosophy respectively emanate.