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Martin Luther
1. Martin Luther
Who was Martin Luther?
"I have a dream" (no, not him).
"The just shall live by faith" (that's him).
Professor who had actual access to the scriptures (Latin Vulgate).
As a monk and professor of Theology at his Abby, Martin Luther visited Rome in 1510 when
Michelangelo was busy creating magnificent works of art to decorate the palaces and cathedrals of Rome.
Luther's idealistic and Bible-based expectations of what he expected to see conflicted with the corruption and extravagance he saw in Rome.
Martin Luther (German priest, theologian, author and hymn-writer) was a German priest, theologian, author and hymn-writer. He is credited with the spark that started the Protestant Reformation. His 95 Theses were tacked to the wall on
All Saint's Eve in 1517.
2. Hidden in the castle
Matthew 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. [kjv]
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Martin Luther
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Frederick III
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A fundamental concept of
information (and
statistics) is that of what is known by who at a certain point in time.
Definition:
Information is
data that is recognized from a certain point of view (e.g., by an intelligent entity).
When Frederick III, Elector of Saxony, wanted to hide Martin Luther, he had him hid by others in one of his castles (without telling him where) so that he could say that he truthfully say that he did not know where he was. He could find out where Martin Luther was, but he did not actually know where Martin Luther was.
Was Martin Luther, as a "
treasure",
"found" and then
"hid" in a
"field" (the world)? In the historical interpretation, the parable of the treasure in a field fits with the time of the Reformation.
3. Gott mit uns
Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. [kjv]
ιδου η παρθενος εν γαστρι εξει και τεξεται υιον και καλεσουσιν το ονομα αυτου εμμανουηλ ο εστιν μεθερμηνευομενον μεθ ημων ο θεος [gnt]
… Emmanuhel … Nobiscum Deus [v]
… Emanuel … Gott mit uns. [lu]
… Еммануил… с нами Бог. [rus]
Martin Luther used the German phrase
"Gott mit uns" ≈ "God with us" in Matthew 1:23 in his famous German Bible,
NT (New Testament) (from Greek) in 1522,
OT (Old Testament) (from Hebrew) in 1534.
The German Army used this phrase for many years. The Third Reich (1933 to 1945) used it before and during World War II.
The Russian Army (and others) used a similar phrase (in their language) at various times.
4. Matthew 1:23
KJV: Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Greek: ιδου η παρθενος εν γαστρι εξει και τεξεται υιον και καλεσουσιν το ονομα αυτου εμμανουηλ ο εστιν μεθερμηνευομενον μεθ ημων ο θεος
Luther: Siehe, eine Jungfrau wird schwanger sein und einen Sohn gebären, und sie werden seinen Namen Emanuel heißen, das ist verdolmetschet, Gott mit uns.
5. German Christkind
With the date change from December 5 to December 24 (Christmas Eve), many Christian leaders of Europe, especially Martin Luther, did not want Saint Nicholas overshadowing Jesus at Christmas. In Germany parents were to use terms like "
Christkindl".
The German word
"das Kind" ≈ "the child". A "
kindergarten" is a "
garden for children". The lowercase "
L" at the end of "
Christkindl" is a form of
diminutive.
Going through Dutch, "
Kriskind" becomes "
Kris Kringle".
[grammatical gender]
6. Martin Luther and the strawman
Martin Luther is credited with the first use of the term "
strawman" (in German) for such a line of reasoning. In general terms, he pointed out that the Catholic Church had set up a strawman argument against him and then knocked it down and claimed it had discredited him.
(I could not find a definitive reference for this.)
7. Hymns
8. From highest heaven
The German Martin Luther is often attributed with the words to the song "
Away in the manger". He never wrote the song.
Martin Luther wrote many songs, one of which is "
Von Himmel hoch, da komm ich her", which in English is "
From highest heaven, I come here".
9. Jesus coming back
What did Martin Luther say he would do if Jesus were coming back tomorrow?
plant a tree
10. Reformation
During the Reformation, Martin Luther authored many songs and carols and promoted their use in religious settings.
John Wesley and
Martin Luther on bar melodies for hymns: "
the devil should never have all the good tunes".
Discuss: Is some music "
of the devil"? Explain.
11. Martin Luther and James: The straw epistle
Martin Luther (German priest, theologian, author and hymn-writer) called the Epistle of James a "
straw" epistle because it had
"keine evangelische Art" ≈ "no evangelical character". To avoid advocating that epistles such as "
James" be removed from the canon, Luther created a two tiers of epistles. James was in the lower tier. The disputed books of Luther included the following: Hebrews, James, Jude, Revelation.
The book of
James is filled with logical errors, uses word meanings that did not develop until later, uses words attributed to Plutarch some 50 or more years later, uses scientific terms in inappropriate ways as if to impress others with his knowledge, and, most importantly, advocates positions that are the opposite of the teachings of Christ. Why would the church approve such a letter?
The point James makes about faith and works is an example of the converse error. Yet, many will ignore this obvious error and learn the "
talking points" to try to reconcile what Paul says (which follows from what Jesus says) and what James says (which is a good example of the converse error).
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Details are left as a future topic.
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12. Job 5:3 Through the diet
Job 5:3 I have seen the foolish taking root: but suddenly I cursed his habitation. [kjv]
εγω δε εωρακα αφρονας ριζαν βαλλοντας αλλ ευθεως εβρωθη αυτων η διαιτα [lxx]
The English word
"diet" comes, through French, from the Latin word
"diaeta" ≈ "diet, regimen" (Medieval "
assembly") and which comes from the ancient Greek word
"δίαιτα" ≈ "way of living, residence, health regimen" and related meanings.
What was the main food at the
Diet of Worms in 1521? When Luther would not recant, the Pope declared Luther a heretic in the
Edict of Worms. This was the famous "
here I stand" declaration by Luther.
13. Song: Mighty Fortress is our God
In 1529, Martin Luther composed the famous hymn (words and tune) "
A mighty fortress is our God" based on Psalm 46.
Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. [kjv]
Martin Luther started the Reformation with his
95 Theses tacked to the door at Wittenberg Monastery on
All Saint's Eve in 1517.
14. Middle Ages
Here is a quick summary of what happened before the event that started the Reformation.
The Middle Ages was a difficult time.
Church was civil and religious power, steeples and weather vanes, had their own army.
One in four children die before age 5.
Black death and plague (random by person, town, etc.)
The Middle Ages is sometimes called the Dark Ages - to some extent a myth or "
fake news" created later.
15. Historical events
1452 - Gutenberg and printing press - Benjamin Franklin would make use of this 300 years later.
1453 -Constantinople falls, gunpowder and cannons, trade routes closed, a way was needed to the orient (east).
1492 - Columbus, and others, set out to find the new ways to get spices.
1517 - Luther and the Reformation
No one since 200 B.C. really believed the earth was flat - a myth propagated used to make Christians appear stupid.
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Details are left as a future topic.
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16. Early days of Martin Luther
Hard life as a youth
Trained to be a lawyer
Plague, thunderstorm, turned to the monastery.
Catholic church was civil and religious authority
17. Luther as a monk
Devoted and dedicated.
Sent to Rome on pilgrimage
Saw the real Catholic Church
Luther becomes professor of Theology
Studied the Bible in Hebrew and Greek.
Noted discrepancies.
Renaissance, Michaelangelo
C.S. Lewis: The Renaissance never happened (as popularized as the Dark Ages before)
18. Catholic Church
The Catholic Church had issues with debt from extravagant spending not related to the purpose of the church.
Such extravagances tend to happen in human organizations where there is no accountability for those in charge of the organization. This attitude filters down throughout the organization.
Ross Perot as presidential candidate in 1992: Quality starts at the top.
My reply at the time: Lack of quality starts at the top.
When an inferior person (leader) is at the top of any part of the organization, they tend to get less capable people to work for them, and so on. It effects the entire organization.
19. Luke 1:14 Naive about the nativity
Luke 1:14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. [kjv]
και εσται χαρα σοι και αγαλλιασις και πολλοι επι τη γεννησει γενεσει αυτου χαρησονται [gnt]
… gaudium … exultatio … nativitate … gaudebunt [v]
The
first "
live nativity" was done by St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) in
1223 in Greccio in central Italy.
Today, many churches have a "
live nativity" reenactment.
The Latin
"nativitas" ≈ "birth, nativity". From this we get
"native",
"nativity",
"naive", etc. The corresponding ancient Greek word
"γέννησις" ≈ "producing, beginning, birth"and is the source of the English word
"genesis".
20. Acts 3:6
KJV: Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
Greek: ειπεν δε πετρος αργυριον και χρυσιον ουχ υπαρχει μοι ο δε εχω τουτο σοι διδωμι εν τω ονοματι ιησου χριστου του ναζωραιου εγειραι και περιπατει
21. Acts 3:7
KJV: And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ancle bones received strength.
Greek: και πιασας αυτον της δεξιας χειρος ηγειρεν αυτον παραχρημα δε εστερεωθησαν αυτου αι βασεις αυτου και τα σφυρα σφυδρα
22. Ideas
Luther: Salvation between you and God, not between you and the Church.
Pope Leo of Catholic Church, had debts, love of money.
23. Raising funds
Pope Leo X (Catholic Church) had huge debts and a love of money.
The Catholic Church used indulgences in a manner somewhat similar to how colleges and universities raise money today: If you donate a large amount of money for a building, the building will be named after you.
No one wants to donate money for routine maintenance. How might one provide name recognition for that?
24. Indulgences and selling forgiveness
Pope Leo X (Catholic Church) had huge debts and a love of money.
The Catholic Church used "
indulgences" as a way to print money, offering forgiveness for sin by a payment. One could even buy forgiveness before the sin was done.
Tetzel: "As soon as money in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory's fire springs." (marketing slogan)
Luther: "Church had no right to sell forgiveness. People's lives and eternity are at stake."
[Luther found and then hid again, preemptive pardons]
25. The just shall live by faith
The phrase "
The just shall live by faith" appears in Habakkuk but also appears three times in the
GNT (Greek New Testament) in letters written by Paul. Each part applies to one of the books.
"the just": Romans
"shall live": Galatians, Galatia, people of Gaul, Celts, Celtics, clover, etc.
"by faith": Hebrews
The "
just" is the same word as "
righteous", those who are "
right" by God.
The righteous shall live by faith.
The meaning that Martin Luther acquired from these verses led him to start what is called the "
Reformation".
26. Social media post gone viral
Many people are familiar with Facebook as a social media platform.
Sometimes, when a post (written entry) to a social media account is noticed by a lot of other people, and causes an uproar or panic, the post is said to have gone viral, as in a virus spreading or a nuclear chain reaction.
Did you hear about the social media post gone viral that directly caused war on a large scale for many years?
27. Going viral
In just over four years of fighting in World War I, about 10 million soldiers died fighting. In 18 months at the end of the war, about 60 million people died from the Spanish Influenza, or Spanish flu, due to the underlying virus.
Something is said to go viral if it spreads quickly (as in the Spanish flu).
Note: These notes were written before COVID-19 in 2020. More people may be familiar with the spread of COVID-19 than the Spanish flu.
28. Private media post
Events went out of control in 1517.
On
All Saint's Eve, today called
Halloween, with some extra time to work, Martin Luther wrote and tacked his 95 theses, criticisms of the Catholic Church not adhering to what the Bible appeared to say, on the private social media posting area on the church door.
It was intended to be a "
private" discussion at the Abby on the issues.
29. Lutheran Church
The Lutheran Church is named after Martin Luther.
30. Public media post
A friend of Luther took the printing press, invented about 65 years earlier, made copies of the 95 Theses, and sent it all over Europe.
The now "
public" social media post went viral.
Within a month, most of Europe was at war for conflicts, small and large, that would last for many centuries.
31. Here I stand
At the Diet/Edict of Worms, under trial in April 1521, Luther made his famous speech defending his actions in response to the Papal bull of Pope Leo X.
Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason … 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.
*Luther is said to have said "
Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise" before concluding.
32. Religious wars
1450: Gutenberg and the printing press revolution starts
1517: Martin Luther and the start of the Reformation
1524-1525: Peasant's War
1618-1648: Thirty Year's War (one third of population of Germany killed)
33. John Hus
John Hus was burned at the stake in 1415 for heresy, for saying the same type of things said by Martin Luther a hundred years later.
A legend holds that the song "
Fairest Lord Jesus" (in German) was sung by followers of John Hus of Bohemia (area of King Wenchlas).
Variations: Jan/John Hus/Huss
Difference between Hus and Luther: printing press invented about 1440.
34. The just shall live by faith
The phrase "
The just shall live by faith" appears in Habakkuk but also appears three times in the
GNT in letters written by Paul. Each part applies to one of the books.
"the just": Romans
"shall live": Galatians, Galatia, people of Gaul, Celts, Celtics, clover, etc.
"by faith": Hebrews
The "
just" is the same word as "
righteous", those who are "
right" by God.
The righteous shall live by faith.
The meaning that Martin Luther acquired from these verses led him to start what is called the "
Reformation".
35. Song: Mighty Fortress is our God
In 1529, Martin Luther composed the famous hymn (words and tune) "
A mighty fortress is our God" based on Psalm 46.
Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. [kjv]
Martin Luther started the Reformation with his
95 Theses tacked to the door at Wittenberg Monastery on
All Saint's Eve in 1517.
36. Verse 1 in German
Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott,
Ein gute Wehr und Waffen;
Er hilft uns frei aus aller Not,
Die uns jetzt hat betroffen.
Der alt' boese Feind,
Mit Ernst er's jetzt meint,
Gross' Macht und viel List
Sein' grausam' Ruestung ist,
Auf Erd' ist nicht seinsgleichen.
37. Verse 1 in English
A mighty fortress is our God,
A sword and shield victorious;
He breaks the cruel oppressor's rod
And wins salvation glorious.
The old evil foe,
worn to work us woe,
With dread craft and might
He arms himself to fight.
On Earth he has no equal.
38. Verse 4
That word above all earthly powers—
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 for ever.
39. German Christkind
With the date change from December 5 to December 24 (Christmas Eve), many Christian leaders of Europe, especially Martin Luther, did not want Saint Nicholas overshadowing Jesus at Christmas. In Germany parents were to use terms like "
Christkindl".
The German word
"das Kind" ≈ "the child". A "
kindergarten" is a "
garden for children". The lowercase "
L" at the end of "
Christkindl" is a form of
diminutive.
Going through Dutch, "
Kriskind" becomes "
Kris Kringle".
[grammatical gender]
40. Yesterday
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. [kjv]
ιησους χριστος χθες εχθες και σημερον ο αυτος και εις τους αιωνας [gnt]
… hodie ipse … saecula [v]
… yistirdai… dai… into worldis. [wy]
… yesterdaye … daye … continueth for ever. [ty]
… gestern … heute … Ewigkeit. [lu]
Has God changed? Does God change? How would a God who is outside of time and space change? What about Jesus? If Jesus is God, would not the same reasoning apply?
The Latin word
"hodie" ≈ "today" and is from
"hoc" ≈ "this"and
"die" ≈ "day".
41. End of page
