Martin Luther on Judging doctrine adn teaching of the pastor or teacher

Martin Luther on Judging doctrine and teaching of the pastor or teacher:

"Second, in this matter of judging doctrine and of appointing dismissing teachers or pastors, not the least attention is to be paid to any human decree, law, precedent, usage, or custom, whether it be decreed by pope or emperor, by prince or bishop, whether it has been observed by half the world or by all the world, whether it be in existence for one year or for a thousand years.

. . . .

The word and teaching of man have decreed and prescribed that the judging of doctrine be left altogether to bishops, theologians, and councils; all the world is bound to regard as law and as articles of faith whatever these have decided. This is abundantly proved by their daily harping on the pope's canon law. One hears scarcely anything else from them but the boast that they have the power and the right to judge what is Christian and what is heretical; the plain Christian must await their decision and abide by it.

. . . .

Christ decrees the very opposite. He takes from the bishops, theologians, and councils both the right and power to judge doctrine and confers this right and power on all men, in particular on all Christians. . . ." - Martin Luther, Right and Power of a Christian Church, Pg. 326


(John 10:3, 5, 8; 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4; Matthew 7:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; Matthew 20:26; 24:4-5)