Making things happen
... with integrity
Monday, February 28, 2004 Volume VII Number 8
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by Ken Kemp |
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ne might conclude that biography is romanticized when the mastermind of the Protestant Reformation is played by the lean and charming actor who starred in the award winning amorous drama, Shakespeare in Love. In life, the frumpy German theologian, according to paintings from the era, looked more the chunky Monk than captivating heartthrob. It’s a minor complaint. There’s lots of history packed into the feature length film that bears his name.
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We can thank Martin Luther for his ground-breaking theological insights. He wasn’t so much discovering them as exposing them. In the context of a church held hostage by spiritual abusers, hell-bent toward oppressive domination, control and self-preservation, Luther’s reforms broke the long time death-grip that Rome held on Europe nearly five hundred years ago.
As a young student of law, in a terrifying thunder and lightening storm, Martin Luther made a vow to God. If he would be spared, he would devote his life to God’s service. He made good on that promise. Surviving the storm, he abandoned law for the priesthood.
Perhaps it was his background in law that created such turmoil. Introduced to the workings of the church from the inside, he observed contradictions he could not reconcile. The divinely inspired word of God bore little resemblance to the church he served. He watched as gullible people suffered under a load of guilt, trembled in fear of an angry God. They were exploited by manipulative fund raising and a harsh enforcement of arbitrary rules. A pilgrimage to Rome would bring answers, he thought. But Rome was far worse than he imagined. Back home at the Augustinian Monastery in Erfurt, he plowed into the text looking for answers.
Luther perceived himself a reformer, not a revolutionary. He believed Pope Leo X had authority, but was misled. Misinformed. He was confident that if the Pope were properly informed of the abuses he witnessed, the Pope would clean house.
It would never happen.
The conflict led to firm convictions included in the Ninety Five Theses nailed to the church door at Wittenberg. He preached Sola Scriptura – only Scripture has authority over life and faith. The traditions of the church, if they contradict the written Word of God, must be abandoned. Further, he taught Sola Fide and Sola Gratia – salvation is made available on the basis of Faith in God’s free gift of Grace. Any suggestion that salvation can be bought or earned is a distortion and misrepresentation of God’s plan. It was, according to Luther, an abomination that the church should sell forgiveness.
Luther’s revolutionary message meant liberation. It holds true today.
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It’s Monday morning. You are a leader.
Martin Luther is admired and loved and revered to this day for his strength of character, the courage of his convictions and his passion for the Scriptures. The full length film released recently telling the story of his life underscores the impact of his work on the history of the church.
Many people consider religion to be a way of life, a pattern of behavior, a set of rules to follow. If you live up to certain standards, you will receive your reward. Luther was appalled to think that the message of Jesus could be so blatantly distorted. It was never meant to be about performance. For the young priest, religion was a vibrant relationship with the God who created him. In the freedom of forgiveness, he found wholeness and healing and grace that filled him with joy.
It marked the beginning of The Reformation.
A reformation that is still in process.
Posted in Placentia, California
© Copyright Kenneth E. Kemp 2005
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