M artin L uther on Preaching C hrist Present

This article advances the thesis that proclamation in M artin L uther's theology illumines C hrist's non‐manipulative presence and sacrament his available presence. It is demonstrated that L uther's interest in the church as M undhaus was not advanced at the expense of an emphasis on the sacraments. Hearing and seeing as correlates of Word and sacrament advance different theological points of emphasis vis‐à‐vis C hrist's sovereign yet available presence. Moreover, I suggest that these themes of Word and sacrament – held in tension – roughly correspond to the following pairs in the thought of L uther: pride and despair; redemption and creation; and forensic and effective metaphors of justification. In conclusion, some suggestions regarding the utility of the theme of real presence are advanced for understanding the world as the object of G od's saving actions.