Trick or Treat? Martin Luther and his 95 Theses

On this date in 1517, Martin Luther wrote his "Disputation of Martin Luther on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences". He nailed a copy, which came to be known as "The Ninety-Five Theses", to the doors of All Saints Church in Wittenberg Germany.  The reformation eventually led to the development of five "Solae" (Latin for "alone") principles:  Sola scriptura (Scripture alone), Sola fide (Faith alone), Sola gratia (Grace alone), Solus Christus (Through Christ alone), and Soli Deo gloria (For the Glory of God alone).  

Luther questioned the Catholic Church and their teachings which did not fall in line with the Bible.  In an assembly known as the Diet of Worms (a formal assembly of the Holy Roman Empire in the town of Worms Germany), Luther defended his actions by saying "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 will not recant anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. May God help me. Amen." His acts led to the Protestant Reformation.

Luther created a Bible translation into German known as the "Luther Bible."  The "Tyndale Bible," translated by William Tyndale, and Luther's Bible were both printed in the 1500's, and were based on a translation by well known scholar Erasmus in 1516.  These Bible translations led to the "Geneva Bible" in 1560, which was printed and distributed to the masses.  It is this Bible that the Puritans brought to America on the Mayflower.  The Geneva Bible ultimately greatly influenced the "King James Bible"  which was printed in 1611, and which we have to this day.

 Martin Luther also wrote several hymns, including "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God."   Luther taught that salvation is not earned, but is a free gift of God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

Trick or Treat? It really is your decision....

A Mighty Fortress is Our God

   by Martin Luther

1. A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
   Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
   For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
   His craft and pow’r are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
   On earth is not his equal.
2. Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing,
   Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:
   Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
   Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
   And He must win the battle.
3. And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
   We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us;
   The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
   His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
   One little word shall fell him.
4. That word above all earthly pow’rs, no thanks to them, abideth;
   The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth;
   Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
   The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
   His kingdom is forever.