Martin Luther, to wield a hammer in a way that objectively broke Rome's stranglehold on the human soul, and liberated the Gospel from it's countless obscuring layers of tradition.Do you go freely to a Baptist / Presbyterian / E Free / miscellaneous / independent church that preaches the Word of God faithfully, preaching the free Gospel of God's free grace in Jesus Christ alone, received through faith alone? And do Roman Catholic armies not break down the doors and throw you all into prison, or burn you all at the stake?
Then thank God for this man, for Martin Luther, and for what He did to and through him. The world you live in is not the world he lived in, and that because of this widespread movement of God.
What does Luther teach us? Many things. To single out but a few: to be used of God, you do not have to be might. You do not have to be perfect. You do not have to start with the majority at your back.
What you need is the Word of God, and that you cling to it faithfully and boldly.
Luther undid Rome, and he still does. Mention him to Romanists, and the apologists become unhinged. They cite this and that absurd and foolish thing that Luther said or did; and, sadly, Luther said and did more than his share of foolish things.
But even this undoes them. I always respond in two ways:
- Imagine that. So foolish, so weak — and yet even Martin Luther could grasp the Biblical gospel of justification by grace alone though faith alone in Christ alone. What does that say about Rome and all its scholars, who still deny and pervert that Gospel?
- Thank God we're not chained to human tradition, and bound to repeat the errors of our elders — as Roman Catholics, by definition, are! Thank God for the Word and its liberating power and supremacy!
- First, Pyromaniacs is back in business, and I've offered a few thoughts
- Piper on Luther is excellent reading
- Reformation Day thoughts, chuckles, challenges
- Marking the Reformation
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6 comments:
"Luther undid Rome, and he still does. Mention him to Romanists, and the apologists become unhinged. They cite this and that absurd and foolish thing that Luther said or did; and, sadly, Luther said and did more than his share of foolish things."
Let Rome attack Luther all they want. My faith and hope don't lie in Luther. Or Calvin, or Zwingli, or Bucer, or Beza, or Bullinger, or Knox, or Owen, or Edwards, or Spurgeon, or Sproul, or Piper, or MacArthur, or any other wretched sinner like me. They lie in Christ alone according to the infallible Scriptures alone!
A Happy Reformation Day to you, sir!
My very point, and well-said.
Happy Reformation Day!
"Luther undid Rome, and he still does. Mention him to Romanists, and the apologists become unhinged."
Recently, Rome is rehabilitating Luther and there is talk of rescinding his ex-communication.
I'm not an ecumenicist, but I do want to note that there seems to be a change of heart in the Vatican towards Luther and their "separated brethren".
Maybe Rome is just giving Luther a little indulgence ...
"So foolish, so weak — and yet even Martin Luther could grasp the Biblical gospel of justification by grace alone though faith alone in Christ alone. What does that say about Rome and all its scholars, who still deny and pervert that Gospel?"
DJP,
It says much for one of the most neglected Reformed doctrines--the perpescuity of Scripture. The central message of the Bible--the Gospel--is clear to those to whom the Spirit enables. It also says that Rome and all its scholars are still dead in their sins, that they are preaching a false gospel, and that they are already condemned because they have not believed on the One whom the Father sent.
May we never stop proclaiming the Gospel to all of those who are lost, and this includes followers of the Roman system, no matter what modern "evangelicalism" says.
Happy Reformation Day, DJP! Sola Gratia! Sola Fide! Solus Christus! Sola Scriptura! Soli Deo Gloria!
I read the comment thread on one of the posts you linked to, and came across this:
"Here's to Luther neither martyr nor super-hero..."
I just thought that summed up really well why he was so important to the church and why his detractors haven't got a case. We know who he was, and love him for it.
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