Category: Weekly Newsletter

16th Century Reformation in Germany

Martin Luther (Part 3)
The pope first treated the matter of Martin Luther’s 95 theses lightly, but quickly changed his mind when he found out how serious was the threat to his authority and to the doctrine of the Church. He demanded that Luther should recant, and summoned him to appear in Rome. He also demanded that Frederick the Wise should deliver up this ‘child of the devil’ to the papal legate. In response Frederick suggested that the pope should send a delegate before whom Luther might appear and plead his cause and to this the pope finally agreed. He sent Cardinal Cajetan to Germany and Luther duly appeared before him.

16th Century Reformation in Germany

Martin Luther (Part 2)
Luther’s chief struggle had to do with the phrase ‘ the righteousness of God’. He was convinced that in Romans 1:17 and elsewhere these words referred to the awful holiness of God, and His unchanging hatred of sin and sinners. How could he, Martin Luther, ever achieve the kind of holiness that would turn away the anger of God against him?

He did not yet understand Paul’s words in Romans that the gospel is the saving power of God to everyone who believes in Christ, because it reveals the righteousness of God. This righteousness of God is nothing other than Christ’s perfect obedience to His Father’s will in life and death, ‘even the death of the cross’ – obedience which God counts as belonging to all those in whose place Christ died. Just as the punishment of the believer’s sin was borne by Christ so it is because of Christ’s righteousness that the same believer, though ungodly in himself, is pronounced ‘just’ or righteous in the sight of God. In this way, Paul says, faith receives the righteousness of God: ‘To him that worketh not but believeth on him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness’ (Romans 4:5).

16th Century Reformation in Germany

– Martin Luther (Part 1)

Martin Luther, the Reformer, belonged to a peasant family in Saxony, Germany, ‘My father, grandfather, all of my ancestors were thorough peasants’, said Luther. His father bore the name of Hans (John), his mother Gretha (Margaret). They lived in Eisleben where Hans Luther earned his livelihood by mining, specially for copper which was abundant in the hills. Their son was born on the 10th November 1483, and as observed by the Roman Catholic Church, he was named after that saint. Half a year after his birth the family moved to Mansfield, about six miles from Eisleben.

Forerunners of the Reformation

John Wycliffe
In the 14th Century a young man was enrolled at the University of Oxford, of whom his teachers had great expectations. John Wycliffe, for such was his name, had a brilliant mind, undaunted courage, and a silver tongue. He also developed great skill with the pen. The date of his birth and the precise spot where it took place are not known, but in all probability it was during the period 1320-24, and in or near the village of Old Richmond in Yorkshire. He would doubtless be about 16 years old when he went to Oxford.. He remained in association with the University for the rest of his life, becoming a Fellow, and then in 1361 the Master of Balliol College. He became a Doctor of Theology there also.
The greatest of all the works of accomplished by Wycliffe was to translate the Bible into English, so that all who were able to read, or listen to the Word when read, could learn the truth of God.

Of the Book that had been the sealed-up Book

He tore the clasps, that the nation

With eyes unbandaged might look thereon

And therein find salvation.