The Reformation at 500: Luther’s Stay at the Wartburg (Part 1)
Read the series.
Why should we praise God—or, for that matter, even care—that Dr. Martin Luther has triumphantly “driven the devil away with ink”?1
Justification: The Right Hill to Die On
Body
“One doctrine, justification by faith alone, is rightly called the doctrine by which the Church stands or falls. It was this doctrine that Martin Luther was, ultimately, being asked to recant but could not…. five hundred years later, it is still a worthy hill and mountain to stand upon” - Ref21
Discussion
The Reformation at 500: Luther’s Escape to the Wartburg
Read the series.
We visited Eisenach and the Wartburg Castle on the Sunday of our 500th anniversary Reformation trip.
The day was gloriously dark and dreary. Fortunately, we felt only a few raindrops. But it was an absolutely perfect day for a ride through the Thuringian Forest.
Discussion
What Martin Luther’s Stand for the Gospel Means for Us Today
Body
“Luther’s ideas were revolutionary because they were much more than a minor argument against indulgences. Rather, Luther’s opponents sensed what he was doing….Luther was instead claiming the Christian faith first of all hearkens to God’s promise of salvation through Christ, as revealed in his Word.” - TGC
Discussion
The Reformation at 500: Luther’s Stand at Worms
Read Part 1.
One of the most fascinating sights that we saw on our 500th-anniversary Reformation tour was the Luther Monument—sometimes called the Reformation Monument—which is located across the street from the park where Dr. Martin Luther’s famous stand before the Diet of Worms is memorialized.
Discussion
The Reformation at 500: Luther’s Journey to Worms
It was a warm, sunny autumn Wednesday afternoon when our bus rolled into Worms, Germany—the second-to-last stop on the final day of touring on our 500th anniversary Reformation trip.
The town was decorated almost as if Luther himself were returning.
At the side of the road, we saw signs that read “Solus Christus,” “Sola Gratia,” “Sola Fide” and “Sola Scriptura”—like the placards that city residents might post to salute a winning sports team.
Discussion
Martin Luther’s Death and Legacy
Body
“Just before he died [February 18, 1546], Luther preached what would be his last sermon from his deathbed in Eisleben. The ‘sermon’ consisted of simply quoting two texts, one from the Psalms and one from the Gospels. Luther cited Psalm 68:19, ‘Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation.’ Then he cited John 3:16.” - Ligonier
Discussion
Luther on Political Riots
Body
“Luther may have gone too far in urging the Princes to crush the Peasant Revolt by force, which they were sure to do anyway. But in doing so, he laid out some thoughtful principles about when legitimate protests go too far.” - Veith
Discussion
3 Ways October 31, 1517 Affected Your Life Today
Body
“When Martin Luther pounded the 95 Theses on the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, the effects rippled throughout space and time, changing the world then and there, as well as here and now, 503 years later.” - Cripplegate
Discussion
The Reformation at 500: The Papal Bull (Part 2)
Read Part 1.
“Since God has given us the papacy,” Pope Leo X stated dramatically, “let us enjoy it.”
There was one man standing in the way of such enjoyment, however. Leo had little regard for the priest in Wittenberg, Dr. Martin Luther, who he referred to as “a drunken German.”
“He will feel different when he is sober,” concluded the pope.
His ability to underestimate Luther could not have been more profound.
Discussion
Image
Discussion