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Notice Luther used Matthew 23:2 as an example of the authority of evil men, but Christ never said they had authority in areas of entering the kingdom of heaven. Only in a limited sense of following the law of Moses. They taught accurately some sayings of Moses thus they should be heard, but their actions were to be ignored because they were hypicritical.
The practice of binding heavy burdens were not to be followed. It isn't a blanket statement requiring the apostles to follow every practice of evil leaders. It is equally an example of not following many teachings, such as those shutting up heaven.
Mat 23:13
But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
Originally Faith only was about position in the church, whether those who had committed Idolatry during persecution could continue in their Presbyter positions. It wasn't applied to salvation per se.
I doubt the prayer of evil men was effectual,
Jas 5:16
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
The New Testament assumes the presbyters would be stable and righteous through the process of choosing such men. I Timothy 3, having an unholy idolator pray wouldn't be sanctioned by God without repentance.
Catholics contended that previously idolatrous priests could continue in their positions and that they were saved through penance, based upon their absolution they could continue in the priestly office. Thus Catholics did not teach faith only in salvation but included penance, and Protestants did not teach faith only either as they rejected evil men, except for position.
I don't believe evil men should be presbyters and only those converted can be restored.
Jas 5:20
Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
Both Catholics and Luther were reaching for apostolic succession through evil men, it was necessary for their legacy and authority.
Martin Luther in the Augsburg confession stating,
"Although the Church properly is the congregation of saints and
true believers, nevertheless, since in this life many
hypocrites and evil persons are mingled therewith, it is
lawful to use Sacraments administered by evil men, according
to the saying of Christ: The Scribes and the Pharisees sit in
Moses' seat, etc. Matt. 23, 2. Both the Sacraments and Word
are effectual by reason of the institution and commandment of
Christ, notwithstanding they be administered by evil men.
They condemn the Donatists, and such like, who denied it to be
lawful to use the ministry of evil men in the Church, and who
thought the ministry of evil men to be unprofitable and of
none effect."
Christ did not use them as examples of entering heaven but said they were shutting up heaven.
Luther never used faith only to say these Presbyters were saved, only that the institutions themselves would save others even if applied by evil men. Matthew 23:2 would only be on point for religious service but not matters of entering the Kingdom.
Thus Luther and Catholics used the verse off point.
My issue, Luther taught absolution should be granted to those who repent, how were eveil men granted absolution without repentance? If they knew these men were still evil and hadn't repented how was absolution granted? Perhaps it was a reference to evil men continueing secretely.
Luther believed evil men were lost, thus he did not believe such evil men were under God's grace simply based upon faith. Of course, what Luther meant by evil men were those who refused repentance before or after absolution, for he accepted the sinner if he repented. and believed in Church absolution.
Of Repentance they teach that for those who have fallen after Baptism there is remission of sins whenever they are converted and that the Church ought to impart absolution to those thus returning to repentance. Now, repentance consists properly of these two parts: One is contrition, that is, terrors smiting the conscience through the knowledge of sin; the other is faith, which is born of the Gospel, or of absolution, and believes that for Christ's sake, sins are forgiven, comforts the conscience, and delivers it from terrors. Then good works are bound to follow, which are the fruits of repentance.
Thus, Luther taught that faith was born of the Gospel and later in absolution. Thus, forgiveness preceeded faith and repentance in these cases. It was in essence the grace bestowed by the church apart from even faith when absolution was exercised. Thus repetance came after forgiveness and not before in these cases.
When Luther brought up the early church Fathers, it was normally to say the sacraments were still valid, and that payment was unnecessary. He never said faith without penance was enough and believed faith followed repentance and absolution. His idea of faith was faith in absolution it seems.
Luther taught repentance and not faith alone could save these priests, but held the sacraments were valid through such men based upon the practitioners faith in the sacrament, such as the parent in infant baptism or the adult in priestly absolution.
Luther wasn't faith only but required repentance for salvation. Repentance having two parts,
contrition from fear
faith in the church's power in absolution
Thus the overall effect was the sinners changed life, resulting in good fruit.
I believe Luther was somewhat reaching for answers that the scriptures never gave him, he was trying to develop a theology that saw saw absolution for those without repentance The same can be said of Catholics, they used absolution toward the non-repentant.
I don't believe the prayer of the unrighteous is actually being considered in the verses used by Catholics to support evil priests. Sitting in Moses seat didn't guarantee your prayers were heard.
Jas 5:16
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
James never said the prayer of evil men were effectual.
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