wretched of all, as Isaiah looked upon Christ, the Head and Model of the blessed, whom he calls the lowest of all [Isa. 53:3].”17 This theology of the cross also determines Luther’s view of the church. The true church of Christ cannot be identified with the historical institution which calls itself the church and with its errors, sins, divisions, and heresies. Rather the true church is hidden under this empirical reality. We shall return to this point when we discuss Luther’s doctrine of the church.