Martin Luther

When Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to a Wittenberg church door, on October 31, 1517, it wasn’t to begin a reformation: Luther as a Catholic monk had been shocked to realize that the people of his province were being fleeced by so called monks, who were selling indulgences (basically you could buy your dead relative out of purgatory - or reduce you own time spent there, through an indulgence: But it would cost you!) Luther was appalled at this, so he nailed 95 theses or debate points, to the door of the prominent Castle Church in Wittenberg, as an invitation for a debate (as was not an uncommon practice in those days) These were meant to be debated by theologians within academic circles: But Luther had reckoned without the newly invented printing press - and the desire of the printers to make a sale! Luther’s critique of holy Roman indulgences was exactly what the printers (or the “press pack”) had been looking for. Before Luther realized what had happened, his 95 theses had gone through the press and been circulated all over the Holy Roman Empire and beyond, to eventually find their way to Rome itself - and into the angry hands of Pope Leo X, who was unbeknownst to Luther, using the income of this indulgence scam to fund the lavish construction of St. Peter’s Basilica. 

After realizing that Luther wasn’t the ignorant backwater monk he had originally thought, the Pope wanted to bring him to Rome for questioning. This was thwarted however, by the Lord of Luther’s province, Fredrick the Wise, who knew that once Luther entered this “lion’s den” he would never likely return. So he arranged to have Luther questioned on German soil, by one Cardinal Cajetan. It was here - and also following his famous debate with theologian John Eck in Leipzig, Germany in 1519 - that Luther came to a shocking realization: He would either have to submit to the ordinances and doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church, or to those of the Bible and Scripture: Because the two were not the same! He could not do both! Luther chose uncompromisingly the second: to take his stand on - not the ordinances of the Pope - but God’s Holy Word! From there on Luther became the servant of the Lord - and consequently, a “wanted man” by Rome.

So began the Great Protestant Reformation…leading to the British Reformation…leading to the exodus of Puritans and Separatists to North America: leading to the dedication of the Land soon to be known as the United States of America, to God. 

Martin Luther was a reformer in every sense of the word: His German translation of the New Testament, written while in hiding, was the first ever exposure that the common person - i.e the milk-maid, the plough-boy, etc - had to the Word of God (because Luther had come to realize that ALL were equal in God’s eyes) and this ‘labor of love’ revolutionized the culture and brought a unification to the German tongue throughout the fragmented provinces of the Holy Roman Empire, in the Name of Jesus. 

His revelation on grace from Romans ch.1:17 and the subsequent teachings that followed, set the souls of multitudes free; and as they realized that in Christ, they already had everything they needed for this life and the next, they were then able to reach out and “love thy neighbor” instead of only thinking about themselves: This marked the beginning of what would become a true reformation in the hearts and souls of an indentured people, whose only previous concern had been about their own personal survival.

He both pioneered and championed, the rights of EVERYONE to be able to freely read the Bible; not only the common person, but EVERY person, down to the smallest child; and created his catechisms for that purpose.

And while on trial at the assembly of Worms Germany in 1521,  he made it clear to all those assembled that he was willing to die rather than retract any of this.

Again Martin Luther had only ever meant to help the church through his 95 theses, through exposing corruption: But the Lord through his providence had other ideas…and through a printing press and a man who simply said “No, Here I stand; I will not recant” the Lord unraveled the corrupt societies of Europe, brought the Dark Ages out, into the Light and Truth of the Gospel of Christ and sent this Gospel throughout the world. 

The Reformation demonstrates the strength and reach of the arm of the Lord to save: How? Just take a look at this Land - the USA - at its dedication…its founding: the answer is right there.

Here he stood: And so must we.

***Regarding Luther’s anti-Semitic writings, let me please say this:

These people had just come out of the dark ages…only just rediscovered the Bible! As apposed to us, who have grown up in an abundance of Biblical treasures and knowledge - including a better understanding on Israel eg: Romans 11:25 - we have so much more than them!

Although Luther tried to reach the Jews and was rebuffed, the Lord has a time and a season for everything and concerning Israel, Martin Luther’s time wasn’t it. It is for us to carry on, with the knowledge we have, where people like Luther left off - because they could go no further: We can! What a privilege and responsibility. We’re all part of the same team - and I wish people who criticize Luther would realize that, instead of pointing fingers.  

He also wrote those letters when he was older, ill, and worn down with a life lived in constant service and persecution for the Lord. He was the tip of the spear  that the Lord had used to break Europe out of the Dark Ages and into the enlightenment of the Truth of the Gospel. As a result, he remained a fugitive for the rest of his life; which he was willing to give up, for the sake of this reformation. Can any of his critics, from the insulation of the pinnacle of the mountain of media, boast the same thing? This is just an honest question…

As to him being responsible for the holocaust…I think Adolf Hitler had already made up his own mind about that! Please can we demonstrate some common sense: Hold the right people accountable - and leave everyone else out.

https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/here-he-stood