Who Was Martin Luther? Part 3

Martin Luther in Eisenach

This is part three of a series written by Rev. Donavon Riley that orginally appeared on the HIgher Things - Dare To be Lutheran website.

Martin Luther, like most people during the sixteenth century, lived during a time of both earthly and spiritual insecurity. Frequent wars, plagues, peasant revolts, and famine meant people had to struggle to secure daily bread. And, at the same time that they were worried about sustenance, the church taught that sins could be atoned for by praying to the saints, making pilgrimages, worshipping holy relics, and the like.

The world Luther grew up in was an apocalyptic time. Death could overcome a person at any moment. The Grim Reaper, Four Horsemen, and other end times figures were popular in literature, art, and music. Images of fire and brimstone occupied the church's imagination, too. Jesus wasn't pictured as a merciful shepherd or suffering servant, but as a judge seated on a rainbow throne, a two-edged sword coming out one side of his mouth and a lily the other. They symbolized judgment and mercy, death and resurrection. This meant that the primary question on Christian's minds was: "What must I do to avoid the sword and receive the lily?"

Details: Published: 22 April 2017 22 April 2017; Last Updated: 23 April 2017 23 April 2017

Who Was Martin Luther? Part 2

Martin Luther in Eisenach

This is part one of a series written by Rev. Donavon Riley that orginally appeared on the HIgher Things - Dare To be Lutheran website.

When Martin was sent to school in Eisenach, his mother's relatives helped him settle in. However, they were poor people, so life for him stayed pretty much the same as it had been in Magdeburg. He focused on his studies and sang in children's choirs for food and a few coins. At some point, however, he met a woman named Schalbe. She was from a family of wealthy merchants. She arranged for Martin to stay in the home of a relative and eat his meals with another. This meant that after 1498, life became a bit better for Luther.

Another change that happened at Eisenach was that Martin caught the attention of the school's headmaster, John Trebonius. He took Luther under his wing and stirred up the young student's imagination. Trebonius, as Luther later recalled, was a gifted teacher. At the same time, Martin began a friendship with another teacher, Weigand Geldennupf. This friendship lasted up to Geldennupf's death.

Details: Published: 02 April 2017 02 April 2017; Last Updated: 22 April 2017 22 April 2017

Who Was Martin Luther? Part 1

This is part one of a series written by Rev. Donavon Riley that orginally appeared on the HIgher Things - Dare To be Lutheran website.

When Martin Luther died on February 18, 1546 some people said they'd heard a rumor that demons flew out of his body. Others said witnesses at his death bed saw Martin carried into heaven by Elijah and the chariots of Israel.

But who was Martin Luther really? Was he a prophet like Elijah? A demon? A hero of the faith? A revolutionary? The man responsible for splitting Christendom once and for all?

Unlike his death, Luther's birth wasn't such a big deal. His dad, Hans Luther, was a peasant, meaning he was poor and of no importance to anyone who mattered. But Hans had plans, and he'd decided he wasn't going to be a peasant his whole life.

Martin Luther's parents, Hans & Margarethe Luther

Details: Published: 21 March 2017 21 March 2017; Last Updated: 01 April 2018 01 April 2018

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Hymn of the Church Season

A hymn for Lent is called A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth (LSB 438). More info about this hymn is available here.
A hymn for Transiguration Sunday O Wondrous Type! O Vision Fair (LSB 413). Two different version and the text can be seen here.
Built On the Rock, the Church Shall Stand (LSB 645)
Behold a Host Arrayed in White (LSB 676) - More Info
Jesus Priceless Treasure (LSB 743) - More Info
Come Holy Ghost, Creator Blest (LSB 498) - More Info
Shepherd of Tender Youth (LSB 864) - More Info

Other Hymns

Other hymns of the seasons can be found on the Church Hymns page.

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. ⁷ Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

⁸ So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. ⁹ Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
- Matthew 28:5-10