Martin Luther Moments

This coming Sunday is Reformation Sunday. On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted 95 statements for debate (theses) on the church door in Wittenberg, Germany. This is the date attributed as the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther was a prominent force in reformation, and he was also a prolific writer, gifted preacher and teacher, and writer of many hymns. And though Luther balked at the idea of having the church be named after him, he did have some wonderful words to share.  Here are some quotes I gathered from numerous sources of quotes attributed to Martin Luther:

• “Hier stehe ich; Here I stand; I can do no other. God help me. Amen!”

•  “Music is the art of the prophets and the gift of God.”

•  “Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime.”

• “You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say.”

• “Whatever your heart clings to and confides in, that is really your God.”

• "Let the wife make the husband glad to come home, and let him make her sorry to see him leave."

• "To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing."

• "I have no pleasure in any man who despises music. It is no invention of ours: it is a gift of God. I place it next to theology. Satan hates music: he knows how it drives the evil spirit out of us."

• "Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree."

• “If you are not allowed to laugh in heaven, I don't want to go there”

• “Faith is a living and unshakable confidence, a belief in the grace of God so assured that a man would die a thousand deaths for its sake”

• “Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us”

• “The Bible is the cradle wherein Christ is laid.”

• "I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess."

• "Pray, and let God worry."

• "God writes the Gospel not in the Bible alone, but also on trees, and in the flowers and clouds and stars."

• "Be a sinner and sin boldly, but more strongly have faith and rejoice in Christ."

• "You should not believe your conscience and your feelings more than the word which the Lord who receives sinners preaches to you."

• "If you young fellows were wise, the devil couldn't do anything to you, but since you aren't wise, you need us who are old."

• "When I am angry I can pray well and preach well."

• "Grant that I may not pray alone with the mouth; help me that I may pray from the depths of my heart."

• "Peace is more important than all justice; and peace was not made for the sake of justice, but justice for the sake of peace."

• “Whoever drinks beer, he is quick to sleep; whoever sleeps long, does not sin; whoever does not sin, enters Heaven! Thus, let us drink beer!”

    Finally, what I like to call the Lutheran Fight Song:  A Mighty Fortress

        A mighty fortress is our God,
        a sword and shield victorious;

        he breaks the cruel oppressor's rod

        and wins salvation glorious.

        The old satanic foe

        has sworn to work us woe!

        With craft and dreadful might

        he arms himself to fight.

        On earth he has no equal.

       No strength of ours can match his might!

        We would be lost, rejected.

        But now a champion comes to fight,

        whom God himself elected.

        You ask who this may be?

        The Lord of hosts is he!

        Christ Jesus, mighty Lord,

        God's only Son, adored.

        He holds the field victorious.

       Though hordes of devils fill the land

        all threat'ning to devour us,

        we tremble not, unmoved we stand;

        they cannot overpow'r us.

        Let this world's tyrant rage;

        in battle we'll engage!

        His might is doomed to fail;

        God's judgment must prevail!

        One little word subdues him.

       God's Word forever shall abide,

        no thanks to foes, who fear it;

        for God himself fights by our side

        with weapons of the Spirit.

        Were they to take our house,

        goods, honor, child, or spouse,

        though life be wrenched away,

        they cannot win the day.

        The kingdom's ours forever!

Text © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress.

Text: Martin Luther, 1483-1546; tr. Lutheran Book of Worship

A video to send us on our way - a version of "A Mighty Fortress" by Chris Rice

Peace,

Pastor Charlie