Twelve Days of Luther - Day 12

We have reached the final day in the Twelve Days of Luther. As a perfect conclusion, we will see the historical result of Luther's work. From Luther to Calvin to the Puritans, Luther's writing would forever change how we look at our faith, and how we live our lives under the lordship of Jesus Christ. This video also shows just how imperfect Luther was, and that even he did not get everything right. (His views regarding Jews.)



I learned quite a lot from this series, and I hope that you all did as well. Thanks to each of you for the encouragement I received during this series, and may God use these videos to bless others in the days to come.

Twelve Days of Luther - Day 11

The Diet of Worms ends and Luther is taken to a place of hiding. While he is absent from Wittenberg, a revolution takes place that both suprises Luther, and saddens him as well. He realizes the radical stance he has taken, and the violence that has erupted because of it.

Twelve Days of Luther - Day 10

This clip involves one of the greatest moments in the life and ministry of Martin Luther. The Diet of Worms. Before great opposition, he stands firm in his convictions on scripture, the Church, and on God.




For a dramatized version of the Diet of Worms taken from the film Luther, please click here.

Twelve Days of Luther - Day 9

Luther considers his conflict with the Pope as a battle against the Antichrist himself. Through his gift in writing, Luther's words cut deeply and powerfully into the heresy of the Church.

Twelve Days of Luther - Day 8

Due to a busy weekend full of leadership meetings, I decided to take a few days off from blogging. However, now that the weekend is over and I have a little more time on my hands, we should be able to finish up the Luther video series without delay! I have received quite a few positive responses about these videos, and I hope that the next four days will be just as beneficial.

Twelve Days of Luther - Day 7

After the writing of the 95 Theses, Luther finds himself in public conflict with the Catholic Church. Now labeled as a heretic, Martin Luther finds himself writing even more in defense of not only himself, but of the truth of the gospel. Pope Leo writes the following words about Luther comparing him to a wild boar:

"Arise, O Lord, and judge your own cause. Remember your reproaches to those who are filled with foolishness all through the day. Listen to our prayers, for foxes have arisen seeking to destroy the vineyard whose winepress you alone have trod. When you were about to ascend to your Father, you committed the care, rule, and administration of the vineyard, an image of the triumphant church, to Peter, as the head and your vicar and his successors. The wild boar from the forest seeks to destroy it and every wild beast feeds upon it."




Also, please note that the 95 Theses was nailed to the Wittenberg Castle door on October 31st! Goodbye Halloween! Hello Reformation Day!

Twelve Days of Luther - Day 6

Indulgences spread through Germany. While many rejoice in being redeemed through a quick monetary exchange, Luther becomes frustrated and angered. His flock was being deceived. In an effort to uncover the heresy within the papacy and the use of indulgences, Luther writes his 95 Theses and nails them to the Wittenberg Castle door. Little did he know that this work of his would be mass produced and distributed throughout Europe.

As I watched this video, I couldn't help but notice a similarity between indulgences and modern day evangelism. Indulgences provided a quick fix and an easy assurance of redemption. Through successful advertising, many considered themselves free and no longer in need of confession. Does this sound familiar?

The popular evangelism of our day is to come up with catchy ways to share the gospel, or to create the most efficient gospel presentation so that the person on receiving end of that presentation has the best possible chance to be saved. We tell someone, "Say this prayer and you will be free!", or "Sign this card and your sins will be forgiven you!". Doesn't this sound like a quick fix? I am convinced that if someone genuinely repents and believes that they are redeemed, and that this comes by the Spirit of God as a gift given by Christ. I suppose that what I am trying to say is that no amount of advertising, marketing, or fancy techniques will save a person's soul. I'm not even sure that they can persuade a person to repent and believe. Only Christ can regenerate a heart, and only Christ calls and draws His elect. No man can ever improve or add to what Christ does in working out salvation, and yet it seems that we try so hard to have a perfect delivery or well thought out sales pitch.

As a concluding point: Use tracts, use the cross diagram, memorize specific verses, teach outreach in your church, but by all means do not think that any of these things in and of themselves save a person's soul. They can help us to give a 'clear' presentation, but all we can do is plant a seed, water it, and expect that if Christ is at work in that person the seed will grow. The most amazing testimony of Christ is your own joy in the grace and mercy that he has shown you. People are advertised to every day, they don't want to hear us sell Jesus. Herald the true gospel my friends and trust the unwavering faithfulness of Christ!

Twelve Days of Luther - Day 5

Luther is sent to Wittenberg where he is employed in the teaching of the scriptures. Through this constant study and teaching, Luther begins to see the errors in the Church's teaching. For the first time in his life, he recognizes the beauty and grace of God. This comes through in his own words:

"At this, I felt myself to have been born again, and to have entered through open gates into heaven already."

The revolution known as the "Protestant Reformation" begins...

Twelve Days of Luther - Day 4

Luther makes his pilgrimage to Rome, but instead of finding the pinnacle of Christianity, he notices that the Church is more interested in money than in God. Thus, Luther begins to doubt and question his decision to give his entire life to the Holy Catholic Church.

Twelve Days of Luther - Day 3

Luther lives as an Augustinian monk. Over time he begins to wonder if it will ever be possible to gain salvation from a God that, in Luther's eyes, expects so much and is utterly impossible to please.

Twelve Days of Luther - Day 2

Today we will see a major turning point in the life of Martin Luther. Well on his way to becoming a lawyer, Luther's circumstances become dire. Through the loss of friends and a terrible thunderstorm, Luther dedicates his life to God and the monastery.

Twelve Days of Luther - Day 1

On the first day of Luther we will learn about Luther's childhood as an altar boy in the Catholic church, as well as his experience during father/son bonding time as a copper smelter. Some dad's take their sons fishing, but not Luther's dad. Who has time for fishing when you are already having a blast working with melted copper?

Twelve Days of Luther

About two years ago my wife and I rented the movie Luther starring Joseph Fiennes. While Mr. Fiennes looked nothing like the reformer, the movie in and of itself was rather interesting. Below is a clip from the famous "Diet of Worms" scene:



I think they may have broken the intensity knob on that one...

Over the next twelve days I will be hosting a video based on the life of Martin Luther and the history behind the start of the Reformation. The videos are straight from YouTube, and are taken from the PBS special Martin Luther. You can buy the DVD here.


Oh, and as a special treat, the documentary is narrated by this guy:



On that note, I will now end the introductory post to the Twelve Days of Luther.