Evil Work Makes A Good Man

In the esteemed theologian and former monk, Martin Luther’s Freedom of a Christian, he discusses the ideals of what makes a saved Christian man. The statement in question being, “Good works do not make a good man but a good man does good works. Evil works do not make an evil man, but an evil man does evil works” (Luther 6) However religious they may seem, these ideas apply to not only the religious way of life, but the life of the average person. The United States, in particular, is plagued by corporate greed masked in philanthropy and gifts to the public. In order to properly analyze this statement, it must be broken down into two parts, “Good works do not make a good man...”, and “ evil works do not make an evil man…” The idea that good
“Evil works do not make an evil man, but an evil man does evil works”. This applies to nearly everyone in the world, especially in the work force. Almost every working person that is working towards their next raise, or next promotion, to better themselves and their family, will be required to do something that may be against their personal moral code. This is part of having a career, and living a life of success. Success comes at a price and many sacrifices have to be made along the way, but just because a person is forced into doing something they don’t personally believe in or is against their moral code, something they would deem an “evil work”, it doesn't make them a bad person. Soldiers returning from tours over seas come back with the guilt and terror they experienced because our country ordered them to kill or be killed. Should these men be considered evil because of the work they were sent to do? Of course not. (Still considering a few different sources to include here, one going over PTSD and another on people feeling uncomfortable with tasks given in the workplace) Or a doctor who couldn’t do anything to save their patient. Should that same doctor be considered an evil person because they had to take a patient off of life support? The same answer can be found here. These so called “evil works” do not make the individual themselves evil. This is the point that Martin Luther was trying to make when he said that, “evil works do not make an evil man”. However true the first part of the statement is, the second part rings just as true without any need of proof. Evil men do evil works. One only needs to consult the history books to find the truth in this statement. The mass genocide of a country’s own citizens, slavery, servitude, crucifixion, and murder. Evil people commit these evil works. Though his statement may be confusing,