The Language of Luther
| Words | Speech | Description |
| InAWord_Luther_2005.pdf | |
Martin Luther was, in brief, a Reformer in the 1,500's; by which his 95 Theses became a spark the started the fire of |
| Luther_PlacedInGod'sHands_02-13-09.pdf | |
Luther had expressible lost much - except what he "placed in God's hands." |
| Luther_FearofWhatisInside_02-23-09.pdf | |
Luther feared the possibilities coming from within himself - then from those elsewhere. |
| Luther_LutherListens_04-05-09.pdf | |
What, Luther (and Jon) had MP3 players? Seems hard to believe considering they lived long ago; still, I could not pass-up this comical... |
| Next: "Peace if possible, Truth at all Costs" | |
Luther said that "nothing good ever comes of violence"; thus, the want of peace is something to be sought in each of us - both internal peace and in our behavior. But what most important is truth - even more than peace... |
"All
who call on God in true faith, earnestly from the heart, will certainly be
heard, and will receive what they have asked and desired
."
"The Language of Luther" is obviously about the Reformer who, in the 1,500's, challenged the practice of indulgences in the Roman Catholic Church. The outcome of his challenge, or 95 Theses, was a conflict that escalated into war. The newly installed Pope, Leo, declared some of his Theses as heretic or counter to the belief or canon of the church. What's more, Luther was to recant his Theses, or basically, to refute his earlier claims or beliefs as wrong...incorrect.
As history sometimes repeats itself - or just plain never stops integral to human nature - the central question of the church was on whether treasures were being stored-up in heaven or on earth; or expressed as another question: "Where is your heart?" Indulgences garnered great wealth for the church which, I'm sure, Luther saw as exploitation besides an indication of the corrupt heart of the church. Seeking to establish it's "kingdom" on earth, the church was using the proceeds from the sell of indulgences to finance it. Chartable cause would have been a good thing - which the Catholic church is reputed - but this method of collections was corrupt in Martin's view.
Although script (and not actual words) from the most recent movie of Martin Luther, entitled Luther, a quote from Frederick the Wise (when he offered the following tactics or advice on dealing with the power of the church).
"There are two ways to respond to someone stronger than yourself: the first is to say nothing and go on merrily doing what you were doing before, and pretend that you never heard - allow time and inertia, to be your allies;...and the second is to say 'NO' in such a kind and thoughtful way that it befuddles them. Naturally, if both these strategies fail there is nothing to do but relent - or to fight and of course, if you decide to fight you must also decide to win..."
Facing your giants is something that Martin became acutely aware of; after all, the church was clearly powerful - as well as corrupt - lending to the adage that authority corrupts. Was he to take the advice of Frederick and, if so, which option would he choose? Maybe we can find out by spending some time studying the man...
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Last Edited: 07/08/2009