"The interpreter does not interpret the Scriptures, but the Scriptures interpret the interpreter."
-- Oswald Bayer, Autoritat und Kritik: zur Kermeneutik und Wissenschaftstheorie. Tubingen: J. C. B. Mohr (Paul Siebeck), 1991.

On "Meat Sacrificed to Idols" II

"Thus we think about the mass. But in all these matters we will want to beware lest we make binding what should be free, or make sinners of those who may do some things differently or omit others. All that matters is that the Words of Institution should be kept intact and that everything should be done by faith. For these rites are supposed to be for Christians, i.e., children of the "free woman" [Gal. 4:31], who observe them voluntarily and from the heart, but are free to change them how and when ever they may wish. Therefore, it is not in these matters that anyone should either seek to establish as law some indispensable form by which he might ensnare or harass consciences. Nor do we find any evidence for such an established rite, either in teh early fathers or in the primitive church, but only in the Roman church. But even if they had decreed anything in this matter as a law, we would not have to observe it, because these things neither can nor should be bound by laws. Further, even if different people make use of different rites, let no one judge or despise the other, but every man be fully persuaded in his own mind [Rom. 14:5]. Let us feel and think the same, even though we may act differently. And let us approve each other's rites lest schisms and sects should result from this diversity in rites - as has happened in the Roman church. For external rites, even though we cannot do without them - just as we cannot do without food or drink - do not commend us to God, even as food does not commend us to him [1 Cor. 8:8]."

-- An excerpt of Martin Luther's "An Order of Mass and Communion for the Church at Wittenberg" taken from Luther's Works: American Edition, vol. 53, Concordia Publishing House, 31.

On "Meat Sacrificed to Idols"

"Therefore, I have used neither authority nor pressure. Nor did I make any innovations. For I have been hesitant and fearful, partly because of the weak in faith, who cannot suddenly exchange an old and accustomed order of worship for a new and unusual one, and more so because of the fickle and fastidious spirits who rush in like unclean swine without faith or reason, and who delight only in novelty and tire of it as quickly, when it has worn off. Such people are a nuisance even in other affairs, but in spiritual matters, they are absolutely unbearable. Nonetheless, at the risk of bursting with anger, I must bear with them, unless I want to let the gospel itself be denied to the people."
-- An excerpt of Martin Luther's "An Order of Mass and Communion for the Church at Wittenberg" taken from Luther's Works: American Edition, vol. 53, Concordia Publishing House, 19.

Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol's temple, won't he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols? So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall. -- excerpt from 1 Corinthians 8:1-13