Pastor Eric Nelson

October 2025


How does religion work? For many, religion works by earning God’s favor by living a good and obedient life. When we earn God’s favor, we are blessed with all sorts of benefits. Our lives will go along better. We will enjoy days of prosperity and success. There should be money in the bank. Our marriage should be strong. Our existence will be happy and peaceful. Such a prosperous and healthy life would indicate that the face of God truly does shine upon us. We may even be received into heaven.

This normal way of doing religion is what Dr. Luther called the theology of glory. The theology of glory places our hope and confidence in our works. To put it another way, the answers to our problem with God are located within us.   

The cross puts an end to the theology of glory. The cross Jesus bore for us reveals that we don’t have the answer. We are the problem. That is why Jesus had to suffer and die in our place.

This is what Dr. Luther called the theology of the cross. In contrast to the works righteousness of the theology of glory, the theology of the cross will have us place our hope and confidence outside of ourselves. If we are to be made right with God, we must look to Jesus. His resurrection reveals that his sacrifice has reconciled us with his heavenly Father.

Because our trust is placed outside of ourselves, the theology of the cross attacks how we believe religion is supposed to work. We expect that there is something we must do. When we do our part, the blessings should follow. It is what makes sense. It is what allows us to take credit for our good standing before God. That is why it is not easy to get rid of the theologian of glory that lurks in all of us.

But the theology of glory will not get us the righteousness we need. Because it places its attention on us and our works, it cannot save. That is why the cross needs to be the center of our theology. The cross knocks out any works and efforts on our part. It declares Christ established our forgiveness and salvation by his sacrifice. Because he has risen again, nothing else needs to be added. Therefore, it is by faith, apart from works, that we are made right with God. Jesus alone saves. That is the theology of the cross.

God’s peace be with you!

  Pastor Nelson