Luther Part 1

March 1, 2025 edits

DRAFT version

Luther-Part_1

Martin Luther: Fully Surrendered? A Deficit Remains?

See the end of the article for the series description.

Luther’s Extremes

Abstract

Martin Luther wrote and publicly displayed 95 Theses, which opposed some of the church’s teachings. From this, the Reformation was born. Accounts described his emotions as causing problems for those who were around him. Today, a medical professional might prescribe treatment. Yet God used him. How might we understand how Luther’s education, emotions, and one or more authorities worked together for the glory of God? This paper proposes that Martin Luther was the ideal person to bring about a significant change to Christianity.

Introduction

What behavior do we expect from Christians?

(Mat 22:37 NRSVA) He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’

Love God, love others.

(Mat 21:12 NRSVA) Then Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who were selling and buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.

Be willing to publicly stand for what is right and oppose what is wrong.

Do you think it is possible to have patience with one another and appropriately challenge other Christians? Of course, the answer to this question is yes, but how it plays out cannot be prescribed; it depends on the culture. The culture includes how we treat one another and common courtesy as it plays out in various scenarios.

Judging a person’s behavior from a century or more after death is challenging. Was his behavior morally approved by God? We must exercise caution as we discuss Martin Luther, trying not to declare God holding him responsible for offensive emotional displays.

How might offensive emotional states intersect with doctrine, theology, health, and sin? We narrow the topic to just one poor behavior and offer a case for how God may have used it. We all have imperfections which may interfere with our service to God. Our illustration of an idea will come from Martin Luther’s life.

Integral to the purpose of this paper is Luther’s defiance of those in authority over him. There will be no attempt to lighten his defiance, such as likening it to Jesus in the temple and the money changers (Jn 2.14-16). There will be no attempt to glorify Martin Luther. This paper has been written to glorify God.

But when considering this topic and today’s daily news reports provided by various news companies, we must remember that there are two perspectives, two sides to the story. So, let us replace the word ‘defiance’ with ‘public disagreement’ with those in authority over him. He did not recant, and disciplinary action followed. The reader may be well served by obtaining a copy of Luther’s 95 Thesis and reading it[1]. To you who read them, do you think they should have produced such a great church split? Were the church and government authorities left with no other choice except the following actions in 1521?

In 1521, the following took place.

  • The pope, Leo X, excommunicated Luther.
  • The Holy Roman Emperor declared Luther an outlaw, making possible Luther’s arrest or execution on sight.

Luther did not complete a law degree, but he would likely have known that disciplinary action was possible, given the notoriety of the participants it was probably the big news event of the decade.

Video Lecture

This paper references a presentation by R. C. Sproul. A thirty-four-minute video titled The Insanity of Luther: The Holiness of God, can be viewed on YouTube.

Sproul’s lecture style captivates the sleepiest student; he draws and holds our attention.

Pastor, professor, author, and theologian R. C. Sproul’s lecture delivery style is passionate and dynamic. He uses rhetorical techniques appropriate to the subject matter, communicating deep seriousness and holding the audience’s attention.

Many Christians today thank Martin Luther for his understanding of Christianity. The video contains demeaning quotes about Luther’s outbursts, described as tirades, but also complimentary material. From the video, it would seem that Luther’s outbursts qualified as a mental illness or a sin. This could explain Luther’s lengthy confessions. Let’s keep an open mind and refrain from judging sin or emotional ill health.

The quotes or paraphrases here are only part of the information and theories Sproul provides. Let us set aside beliefs we disagree with as we discuss Martin Luther’s practices and character.

After the video, continue in Luther - Part 2.

Notes

[1] Luther’s 95 Thesis are fairly easy to find and get a copy.

Martin Luther Series

Martin Luther Part 1

  • Right and wrong, courage
  • Luther’s Extremes
  • Sins, or Righteous Anger, or Emotional Illness?
  • The Insanity of Luther by R. C. Sproul

Martin Luther Part 2

  • Confession to a priest
  • Confess again and again

Martin Luther Part 3

  • Emotional Health
  • Summary
  • Conclusion
    • You are the Right Person
    • Additional information
  • Additional Information

Bible Versions

A goal for site content is to be independent of the Bible version. This is the reason many articles contain quotes from several versions. The literal interpretation of a verse may conflict with some church denomination’s teachings. If we know that a concept being promoted in an article or blog post conflicts with any mainstream church, we try to use the version of the Bible that the denomination prefers. Exceptions will exist for various reasons. See the Bible interpretation series (currently being written or edited) in the BnB section.