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| Martin Luther |
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| 1483 - 1546 |
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Almost everyone, religious or not, has heard the name Martin Luther. Yet to many he remains an historical stranger. October 31st is designated as Reformation Day, but Protestant Churches around the world observe the Reformation the last Sunday in October to honor the man who changed the understanding of the means of salvation -- God's grace is not earned, but freely given to those who accept Christ as their Savior.
Luther was born in Eisleben, Germany on November 10, 1483 -- nine years before Columbus sailed for America. Early in 1546 in the town where he was born, he died at the age of sixty-two after suffering several heart attacks. On his death bed it is said that a friend asked Luther, "Reverend Father, are you willing to die in the name of the Christ and the doctrine you have preached?" Luther clearly answered, "Yes!" and then he passed away.
Luther's father, Hans, was a prosperous miner. Because Martin showed signs of scholarly intelligence, Hans enrolled his son at the University of Erfurt to study law. However, on Luther's way back to school after visiting with his parents, a sudden thunderstorm changed his plans when a lightning bolt struck nearby, knocking Luther to the ground. "Save me, Saint Anne!" he cried out. "I will become a monk!" Thinking that this incident was a sign from God, Luther sold his law books and entered the Augustinian monastery in Erfurt. Luther tried to be an obedient monk, prayed long hours, ate little, worked hard, studied constantly, and endured great hardships.
Luther's scholarly and analytical gifts impressed his superiors who chose him for graduate study at Wittenberg's new university established by the ruler of Saxony, Frederick the Wise. In the early years of intensive study at Wittenberg, the Bible became Luther's central focus from which he began to develop the insights that would make him and his interpretations controversial.
After a thorough study of the Bible, particularly Saint Paul's book to the Romans, Martin Luther gradually came to understand Scripture in a way that differed from prevailing teachings. Luther's assessment of biblical messages led to a strong critique of his contemporaries. He found the answer to his long-sought question. He was not required to earn God's forgiveness. It was a gift from God offered freely in Christ through grace manifested in faith. This insight gained by Luther was to change the way he and his followers and the millions of Christian heirs of the Reformation would read, comprehend and interpret the Bible.
Luther's differences with the Church of his time culminated in ninety-five theses posted on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, on October 31, 1517, an act that had a far-reaching impact and in many ways changed the religious world from that day forward. Luther's extensive biblical studies resulted in his writing the ninety-five concerns about purgatory, indulgences, other teachings and practices of the established Church. These ninety-five theses emphasized the inconsistencies between the requirements of the existing Catholic Church and the Bible's clear statements as revealed to Luther.
Quickly, most of Europe was discussing Luther's theses. Many agreed with him, but powerful Church leaders did not. Cardinal Cajetan and Pope Leo X sought Luther's arrest and expulsion from the Church. However, Frederick the Wise agreed with Luther that Church reform was needed. Luther appeared before Emperor Charles V, who ruled over much of Europe, his court and Church leaders. They demanded that Luther renounce what he had written. At this city on the Rhine called Worms, Luther replied, "My conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen!"
Declared an outlaw, Luther's life was now in danger. As he traveled to his home in Wittenberg, Luther was kidnapped and taken to the fortress Wartburg. As it turned out, the kidnappers were friendly captors sent by Frederick the Wise to hide Luther from his enemies. At Wartburg, Luther translated the New Testament of the Bible from Latin to German, the language of the people.
Eventually, Luther left Wartburg to return to Wittenberg where he preached and explained that some teachings and traditions of the Church were against Scripture and should be changed. He maintained that practices that helped people worship, like liturgy and music, should be kept. Preaching and celebrating the Sacraments, Luther proclaimed the forgiveness of sin and brought God's Word to the people. Luther and his followers, still considered criminals, were threatened by Emperor Charles V with "fire and sword" if they did not return to the Catholic Church. The Lutherans proudly responded to Charles in a document that began, "We protest ..." The term "Protestant" was born that day.
With all his activities, Luther considered himself too busy to be married, until he met Katie. They married in 1525, a marriage that resulted in six children, three boys and three girls.
The Reformation was not just a single movement in one country that led to one Protestant Church body. A split from Catholicism developed in England that led to the Anglican Church. In Switzerland, France, Holland, and Scotland, similar departures resulted in the establishment of various bodies of the newly Reformed Church.
New inventions made printing faster and cheaper and Luther took advantage of the press to write letters, essays and books. Luther's composite works were eventually assembled and published in almost 100 voluminous books. Even his enemies admitted that Luther was a genius. And so, Protestants, especially Lutherans around the world, observe Reformation Sunday to mark Luther's nailing his ninety-five theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, on October 31, 1517. This historical event changed the religious views that have been handed down through nearly 500 years.
Today his catechisms and hymns help pastors, teachers, parents and children learn and worship. Probably the most celebrated hymn written by Luther is "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," which reverberates throughout Protestant Churches each year on the last Sunday in October to commemorate the Reformation.
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Originally published in the "Saint Paul’s Epistle," October 2007, this article was prepared by Robert N. Schreiner from a variety of sources including the book, "Martin Luther - a man who changed the world," by Paul L. Maier and compilations of articles from "The Lutheran," and Internet searches for Martin Luther and Reformation.
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Thursday, July 29, 2010 |
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© 2005 - St. Paul's Lutheran Church |
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