my 2005 theses
today is the birthday of martin luther. just to clarify - he was not a civil rights leader in the 50's and 60's.
several years ago, i went to see a movie named "luther." joseph fiennes played the role of martin luther. i guess they figured more people would come see the movie if the star was a great looking young man instead of seeking an actor who actually looked like martin luther. they figured wrong ; it was an art film so no one went to see it ,anyway. when i went , the theater was holding a couple of groups of older women's church groups and me. as usual, i felt out of place. it turned out fine because the movie was really well done, and it told much of the story of martin luther's life in vivid language and scenery.
martin luther was an amazing man. his reliance on, and complete trust in scripture is remarkable, his courage unbelievable. he was a monk with a lifetime of service to God and the catholic church in store for him, when he came to be at odds with many nonscripture-based practices of the church. he posted his 95 theses in hopes of sparking discourse and reform - not dissent and Reformation. his acts were the catalyst that resulted in the reformation and all protestant churches are historically linked to him. in response to the church's demand that he retract his statements and return to his life of subordination and submission, he politely declined to acquiesce to their demands. doing so was not only a sure way to lose his career as a priest (he did) it was a very dangerous busstop on the road to death. the church wasn't just the religious center of the world, it was the political tyrant of europe as well. his acts were those of a blasphemer. he risked certain death by defying the pope, yet he did just that rather than deny what he knew to be true. these are his words to the holy roman emperor, charles v:
"Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust either in the pope or in councils alone, since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the word of God. I cannot and I will not retract anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience."
my church is not protestant. i vehemently disagree with some of the teachings martin luther espoused. i read scripture differently than he. nonetheless, i find him a real heroic figure in the history of the world, and a torchbearer in leading the world out of the spiritual black hole that was the dark ages.
thank you, martin.
several years ago, i went to see a movie named "luther." joseph fiennes played the role of martin luther. i guess they figured more people would come see the movie if the star was a great looking young man instead of seeking an actor who actually looked like martin luther. they figured wrong ; it was an art film so no one went to see it ,anyway. when i went , the theater was holding a couple of groups of older women's church groups and me. as usual, i felt out of place. it turned out fine because the movie was really well done, and it told much of the story of martin luther's life in vivid language and scenery.
martin luther was an amazing man. his reliance on, and complete trust in scripture is remarkable, his courage unbelievable. he was a monk with a lifetime of service to God and the catholic church in store for him, when he came to be at odds with many nonscripture-based practices of the church. he posted his 95 theses in hopes of sparking discourse and reform - not dissent and Reformation. his acts were the catalyst that resulted in the reformation and all protestant churches are historically linked to him. in response to the church's demand that he retract his statements and return to his life of subordination and submission, he politely declined to acquiesce to their demands. doing so was not only a sure way to lose his career as a priest (he did) it was a very dangerous busstop on the road to death. the church wasn't just the religious center of the world, it was the political tyrant of europe as well. his acts were those of a blasphemer. he risked certain death by defying the pope, yet he did just that rather than deny what he knew to be true. these are his words to the holy roman emperor, charles v:
"Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust either in the pope or in councils alone, since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the word of God. I cannot and I will not retract anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience."
my church is not protestant. i vehemently disagree with some of the teachings martin luther espoused. i read scripture differently than he. nonetheless, i find him a real heroic figure in the history of the world, and a torchbearer in leading the world out of the spiritual black hole that was the dark ages.
thank you, martin.
posted by cm at 11/10/2005
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