Martin Luther
- German Reformer -
1483 - 1546
Martin Luther was the son of a Saxon miner. He was born at Eisleben in 1483. He had begun studying law when something happened to change his course of life. In July, 1505, he narrowly escaped death when lightning struck a tree near him, throwing him to the ground. As a result of this brush with death, Luther determined to try to appease God's wrath by becoming a monk. He was ordained as an Augustinian monk in 1597.
The next year he was sent to Wittenberg to continue his studies and lecture in the University. He became a Doctor of Theology and professor of Scripture. Visiting Rome in 1510, he was shocked to see the open and shameless corruption and wickedness of the officials and clergy of the Roman Church.
Luther was well acquainted with the theology of his day. When he studied Scriptures, especially the Epistles of Paul, he became increasingly aware of the differences between current Roman Church teaching and the Biblical standards of truth. His studies led him to the conviction that Christ was the only mediator between God and man, and that God's grace was the sole basis of salvation. Such views were not tolerated by the church hierarchy; they led to a struggle which was to become the first steps in what we know the Reformation.
The sale of Indulgences, a form of "Forgiveness for Sale", was especially offensive to Luther. The new Archbishop of Mainz had promised to pay the Pope a vast sum of money in exchange for his appointment. This money was to be raised by the sale of Indulgences, and a horde of salesmen descended on the land. Outraged by the spectacle, Luther posted his famous 95 Theses on the door of Wittenberg Castle Church on October 31, The battle was on !
Luther's 95 Theses were copied and spread throughout a Europe weary of the flagrant abuse of power by the Papal authorities. During 1518 and 1519, Luther publicly debated his position with a leading Roman Church theologian. At the same time, the Church officials were trying to get Luther to go to Augsburg to arrest him for heresy and put him to a fiery death. Instead, he obtained the protection of the elector Prince of Saxony. The Pope's representative returned to Rome complaining that the only slogan I heard in Germany more than "Long live Luther" was "Death to the Pope."
In 1521, Luther had to defend himself to a meeting called the Diet of Worms. Refusing to betray his faith, he was condemned and would certainly have been killed had the Elector of Saxony not protected him. He was forced to hide in Wartburg Castle for 8 months. He used the time well, translating the entire New Testament into German ! During his time in the Wartburg Castle, things had changed greatly. In fact, he left his hiding place in order to protect Roman priests, officials and Churches form angry mobs.
Luther was now in little danger from the Roman Church's attacks. Great areas of Central and Northern Europe had been awakened to the truth of the Gospel; the Bible was available in languages that most people could understand. Under Luther's leadership, many reforms of religious practice were put into place. Clergy were allowed to marry; converts and monasteries were abolished. Luther worked on Catechisms to help the people clarify their beliefs. He wrote hymns, thousands of tracts, Bible commentaries and treaties. He translated the entire Bible into German. He recovered the Biblical truths of the Gospel which tradition and superstition had almost destroyed. Let's rejoice in the great heritage we have as the heirs of Luther's reforms, and be vigilant to guard the truths that the Lord was pleased to renew through this great man of God.
For more information refer to:
"Christianity Through the Centuries - A History of the Christian Church" by Earl E. Cairns. 1981 Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids Michigan.
"Great Leaders of the Christian Church - Martin Luther - German Reformer" by W. Robert Godfrey. 1988 Moody Bible Institute - Moody Press, Chicago.
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