Emphasis Preaching Journal

Dr. John Bowling, President of Olivet Nazarene University, wrote in the Wesleyan Preaching Annual (CSS Publishing, 2001) a sermon titled "Where Luther Stood -- We Stand" (p. 89). He writes in the sermon conclusion: "The picture of salvation that was prevalent in Luther's day was that of a man who was trapped at the bottom of a great cavern or well. And God through Christ came to save you but he came only partway. It was necessary for man, by good works and indulgences, to raise himself sufficiently so that God might then be able to save him.