Philipp Yacob Spener

[This paper was written for my Reformation and Enlightenment class at Capital University, where I am seeking a minor degree in religion.]

Jesse Harmon

RELIG 321

April 10, 2012

Philip Jacob Spener

            This paper will reflect on some of Philip Jacob Spener’s documents.  The first document I will discuss is “Whether Luther Urged Good Works Enough,” which was written in 1688, and “On Tobacco,” in 1691.

            Spener said, “When Luther speaks at various times of faith and works, he appears to raise up the one only and entirely reject the other.”  It does appear to me that Luther tends to talk a lot about how faith is all you need to be saved (even if it is in scripture), and how good works is not enough.  However, I do have to wonder how God views good works.  I’ve always been an advocate for doing the right thing and helping out other people.  As I’ve mentioned in previous papers, my church has a program called Kindness Outreaches, where we do good things for the community to share God’s love to everyone (the program will restart in a couple of weeks actually with handing out free bottles of water to people who have stopped at red lights in Logan, Ohio, where I’m from). 

            The other document, “On Tobacco,” sparked my interest because of a few comments made by Spener.  He mentioned in this documents that sometimes tobacco could be good for one’s health.  I find this humorous considering a fairly large debate going on today.  Recently, a federal judge has blocked a law requiring tobacco companies to put pictures of diseased body parts on their packages in order to show the harmful side effects of smoking and other tobacco related activities.  Some people even say it’s to deter people from smoking all together.  U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon said, “This case poses a constitutional challenge to a bold new tact (sic) by the Congress, and the FDA, in their obvious and continuing efforts to minimize, if not eradicate, tobacco use in the United States.” 

            Spener says, “I still hear from doctors …that moderate use is beneficial to the health of certain people…for example, those who serve on ships and likewise those in war who cannot get healthy food.  Thus, tobacco has its benefits,” (Spener 76). I had to remind myself that since Spener lived in the 1600s, tobacco products probably were a lot different than they are today.  They probably didn’t have the deadly chemicals that are in today’s cigarettes and cigars.  I do wonder if smoking all natural tobacco could actually be beneficial to one’s health.  I can’t seem to find any credible arguments or studies on this as many Google links turn up advertisements and product pages claiming to do so.

            I’m also reminded of the debate on whether marijuana should be legal after reading Spener’s comment that I wrote above.  I have, am, and always will be a strong advocate for the legalization of marijuana.  I believe that marijuana is beneficial to one’s health.  Cigarettes, alcohol, and even most over-the-counter and prescription medications are much more dangerous than natural marijuana.  According to a study done by the University of Rhode Island, smoking very large amounts of marijuana would put someone to sleep, while drinking very large amounts of alcohol could kill someone (“University of Rhode Island”).  Cancer patients have used marijuana to help increase appetite that has been lost during treatment.  Marijuana, according to some sources, does not cause depression.  Some sources say it causes depression, while others say it can help ease the symptoms of depression (Raison). 

            However, just like anything else in life, moderate use is recommended.  Smoking marijuana every day is probably going to be more harmful than beneficial.  Regular smoking can cause some of the same effects that cigarettes cause such as damaged lungs.  Nor should marijuana be used as a crutch to deal with life’s problems.

            Spener’s comments on tobacco can reflect what is seen here.  Too much tobacco is bad for your health, and the abuse of it is a sin, just like the abuse of anything is a sin.

Works Cited

"Legalizing Marijuana." University of Rhode Island. University of Rhode Island, n.d. Web. 9 Apr 2012. <http://www.uri.edu/personal/atro6990/>.           

Raison, Charles. "How does pot affect depression, bipolar?." CNN Health. Turner             Broadcasting Systems, Inc., 30 Mar 2010. Web. 9 Apr 2012. <http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/expert.q.a/03/30/pot.depression.bip            olar.raison/index.html>.

Spener, Philip. Whether Luther Urged Works Enough. Columbus: Zip Publishers, 2012. 74-5. Print.

Watkins, Tom. "Judge blocks law on cigarette pack warnings." CNN US. Turner Broadcasting Systems, Inc., 07 Nov 2011. Web