This web-site page is dedicated to the theological works of Martin Luther.

I am convinced that Satan still shudders when he hears the name of Martin Luther mentioned.  Luther was a great instrument of God.

I first came upon the works of Martin Luther at the Denver public library. It was about noon one day when I took up one of his books and began to read it. The book was his Lectures on the Book of John. I read these lectures for six hours without looking up from the page. When I finally looked up, it was six o'clock in the evening. The time had passed by and I had hardly noticed it.

Martin Luther was the greatest theologian since the Apostles, and is truly an amazing man in the history of the world.  His life is a great and dramatic illustration of how God uses the most humble and insignificant of people for His purposes.  As with the Apostles themselves, most of whom were unknown and of very limited worldly means, Luther was an unknown German monk in the Roman Catholic church, born of peasant parents, who one day posted 95 theses, or issues of dispute, on the cathedral door in Wittenberg.  This act, and the subsequent debates and controversies that resulted from this act, transformed not only the church, but the history of Western civilization.

To make a comparison with other disciplines, Luther is to theology what Bach is to music, what Shakespeare is to writing, or what Newton or Einstein are to physics.  Bona-fide Geniuses, in any field, do not come along very often, maybe every 500 to 1000 years.  But, in able to have an appreciation of genius in any field, a person must have a good working knowledge of that particular field.  So, to appreciate Luther, requires a good working knowledge of theology and philosophy.  The more a person knows theology and philosophy, the better he can appreciate Luther. 

Luther, is in the New Testament similar to an Elijah or an Isaiah was in the Old Testament, although Luther never claimed the Devine Authority of inspiration such as an Apostle.  It is very interesting to me, that all Luther ever did was apply his knowledge of the Word.  He even said in fact, that he was glad he did not have any visions or revelations from God, because he said that often, people are fooled by such things by Satan.  Luther also never claimed a direct God relationship.  He simply had the gift of the Holy Spirit to understand the Word, or Prophecy and he applied it in his calling, and changed Western Civilization.  

Martin Luther is the most profound theologian I have ever read.  He had more knowledge and insight into Scripture than anyone since the Apostles John and Paul.  Maybe even more than Peter and James, (although Peter had Divine Inspiration, which Luther did not and cannot really be regarded an equal in that respect).  In spite of the fact that James was the brother of Christ himself, Luther had a deeper knowledge of Scripture than did James, and Luther's assessment that the Book of James is a "straw epistle" is certainly true.

Luther translated the entire Bible from the original languages into German for the first time, and thanks to the Guttenberg Press, made the Bible, for the first time, available to the German speaking people.  He once compared the sentences of the Bible to a forest and said that there was not one tree in that forest which he was not personally familiar with.

Luther himself would admit, that he did not have the greatest acumen as a philosopher and dialectician (although, I would add, that anyone who reads Bondage of the Will will realize that he could acquit himself very well with some of the best.  Santayana's estimation of Luther as not very smart, is totally inane)  But what Luther had was the gift of the Holy Spirit to Prophesy (in the sense of revealing the meaning of Holy Writ).  He had this gift more than anyone else I have ever read.

Who to this day, knows who the Pope was at that time, or who the  Emperor was at that time, or who was the leading representative of the Pope at the Diet of Worms?  Yet most educated people know who Martin Luther was.  It is the same with Jesus Christ  Very few people would know who the powerful and the mighty were at the time of Jesus Christ, but almost everyone knows who Jesus Christ is. And not only that, but in modern history we have another historical individual named after Luther:  Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.   This is how God keeps the memories of great ones alive through history.  Most of us have forgotten Pope Leo X, Charles V, Alenadro Girolamo, Herod and others.  But we seem to remember the Great Ones, because God keeps their memories alive through history, from Abel to the last Saint.  And so it is...

Luther's extant works in the original German comprise approximately 100 volumes, 50 of which have been translated into English.

This web page site is devoted to excerpts from the Works of Martin Luther, from the English translations.

My personal favorite quote of Luther's is:

"Here I stand, I can do no other. God Help me. Amen"
(Diet of Worms, 1521)

To understand this historical quote, one must understand that the Roman Catholic Church was, in the Western World at this time, an almost omnipotent power.  The Roman Catholic Church, pretty much controlled everything in Europe at this time.

The above statement Luther made to the so-called 'higher authorities" of the church who were investigating him as to his teachings, just as the "higher authorities" during the time of Christ wished to investigate Him. (However, there is no higher authority, except from God and is only valid insofar as it follows God's will).

Here is a sample of the judgment of Charles V at the Diet of Worms:      Article 25: "Accordingly, in view of all these considerations and the fact that Martin Luther still persists obstinately and perversely in maintaining his heretical opinions, and consequently all pious and God-fearing persons abominate and abhor him as one mad or possessed by a demon, ... we have declared and made known that the said Martin Luther shall hereafter be held and esteemed by each and all of us as a limb cut off from the Church of God, an obstinate schismatic and manifest heretic"

This is the judgment of the so-called "higher authorities."  This is one of the great and historic pronouncements by "higher authorities" in the history of Western Civilization.  It is truly, absolutely and unbelievably an amazing statement, reminiscent of Pilot's question, "What is truth?"

Luther has just been proclaimed by these "authorities" to be a "limb cut off,"  and that all "God-fearing persons abominate and abhor him as one mad or possessed by a demon."  Wow!  This is heavy stuff, and as Shakespeare said, the "Lady doth protest too much," which reveals the uncomfortable nature of the person who has made such a statement (because he knows it is not really true.)  And really, truly, I have to laugh here, because the same sort of judgment was charged against Christ Himself by the "higher authorities," that He was possessed by a demon.: "The Jews said to him, "Now we know that you have a demon."  (John: 8: 52)  This is funny, funny stuff.  And the best way to attack Satan is through Humor and Derision.  Satan has a hard time dealing with it.  And that is fine with me, because, I want to cause Satan all the frustration that I possibly can.  His empire will come to an end soon.

But here, we are blown away.  Luther is on the verge of changing  Christianity and Western Civilization.  Truly a remarkable and important event in Western Civilization! And so it is.  In spite of all the power and authority that is placed against him, this is the statement on Luther's part, "Here I stand, I can do no other,"  is so great.   All these "know it alls" and "authorities" move now, quickly into the "dust-bin" of history, and Luther and the Christian Reformation goes on

"Sin boldly!" This was advice that he addressed to Philip Melancthon, his devoted associate.  Of course, Luther did not literally mean that Philip Melancthon should commit serious sins.  Philip Melanchthon was a casuist and often the slightest indiscretion bothered his conscience.  So Luther aware of this, gave Melancthon the advice that he should "sin boldly," because he said that it is easier for God to forgive "real sins" than it is for God to forgive imaginary ones.

Another of my favorite quotes of Luther had to do with overcoming the world.  Luther said that to overcome the world, "want nothing for yourself."  Because then, your passions and desires would have no power over you.

Another of my favorite quotes of Luther had to do with what Luther thought God could have "done better."  Luther said, that if God had consulted him at the time of creation, that he would have "advised God" to do two things differently:  First he would have advised that there should be only daylight, and not night, so that there would only be day.  Secondly, that he would have devised a better way to procreate.

Another great Luther quote:  When talking about his life in the monastery he said that "if anyone had earned Heaven on account of his monkery," it was he.  This referred to the fruitless years that he spent as a monk.

Another quote that I love:  Luther said, that Christians should run and leap for joy every day on account of the Gift that has been given them in Jesus Christ.  Also he once said that if God would open up Heaven and show the entire world the glory Heaven for only a moment, the entire world would repent immediately.  For nothing in this world can be compared to the "Eternal weight of glory," that God has prepared for Christians in Heaven.

Another of Luther's admonitions was: "Learn from the best," in any field of endeavor.  Strive to find the best in any field and learn from them.  This is advice that I have taken to heart.

Luther was Excommunicated by the Roman Catholic Church.

It was Luther's original wish, when by the impulses of conscience and his calling, he embarked upon the Reformation, to reform the Roman Catholic Church.  It was not his original intention to start a new church.  This gives a good insight into his personality and his motivation.  He was not in it for his own personal fame or fortune.  His desire was to get the Church on the right path again after centuries of corruption.

He did not wish for the followers of this church to call themselves "Lutherans."  He wanted them to call themselves "Christians."  However, because of the new denominations that soon began to spring up which claimed to be Christian, his followers were forced to distinguish themselves, and thus came about the name "Lutheran."

One of the main reasons that Luther married his beloved Kate, was to prove to the Pope that ministers could marry, if they wanted to.  The Pope has no reason or authority to prohibit the marriage of priests or ministers.  It is a bunch of nonsense, and the Pope, contrary to God's wishes, attempts to enforce this on Christians.

Luther was forced, by his Excommunication by the Roman Catholic church, to start a new Christian Church.  To me, it is a great tragedy that soon after the beginning of the Reformation, less knowledgeable people such as Zwingli came along and wanted to established their own brands of Christianity.  It must be very frustrating to God, that He sends us Prophets and religious geniuses such as Martin Luther, and immediately, pretenders and wannabes come along and want to set up their own churches.  This is so often the case in the world, with unoriginal thinkers.  They often try to steal or imitate the ideas of original thinkers and geniuses.  It's very bothersome, and annoying.

There was an expression that was common in the Middle Ages, that wherever God establishes a church, Satan comes in immediately and sets up his own church right next to it.  It happens all the time in the world wherever the Truth is found, Satan and his followers are almost immediately there.  I have experienced it myself.

If these theologians who followed Luther had been humble and learned from Luther, we would not have so many denominations in the Protestant churches, because, "The Spirit of prophets is subject to prophets," as St. Paul commanded. (Corinthians 1:14:32)   I myself, am proud to say, that I am subject to a great prophet such as Martin Luther, and also other great prophets of the Christian church.

I do not worship Luther, nor do I  put Luther on a pedestal, but as St. Paul instructed:  "...give honor to whom honor is due.  (Romans 13:7). And if Christians and others had done this, to this day, we would have one Christian Church.  All important issues concerning the Christian faith were addressed and explained by Luther.  The unimportant issues would be considered "adiaphorous" so there could always be a lot of diversity in the Church, but the important issues would have to be maintained and adhered to.

Luther was also a very personable person, like Christ, completely approachable in every way.  Not at all like the Pope, who lives in an enormous mansion, and usually sees only a very select group of people, who come to him and kiss his ring.  Luther would never have any of that nonsense, nor would any of the great saints of the Holy Christian Faith,  and Luther would never ever run around in a "Pope-mobile."  The Pope constantly guards and fears for his safety.

One of Luther's admonitions was to never fear any man or anything, because to do so is a form of idolatry.  One should fear God alone, and no man or anything else.  God is Omnipotent and Controls everything in Heaven and on Earth and His Son is Jesus Christ.  Nothing whatsoever of any kind can happen, unless God wills it.  God also has told us that :  "All things work for thy good, if thou doest love God."  So no Christian has anything to fear, except God.  This is what the First Commandment of the Law teaches.

On the other hand, one should not tempt God and seek or invite danger, and should accept the protection of the authorities or other Christians when it is afforded.  Christ also gave us this example, when at times He avoided danger when it was unnecessary to subject Himself to it.  But Luther, like Christ, would never run around at all times in a "Pope-mobile."  I think that it is kind of funny.  If the Pope is the foremost representative of Christ on earth, and therefore should be setting an example of faith for all of us, why does he run around in public in the "Pope-mobile.?" in order to protect himself?  That really doesn't show much faith or courage in my opinion.

Luther was the kind of person, speaking in modern terms, with whom you would like to go out and have a beer.  In fact, he did at times, with his students at the local pub.  As with Jesus Christi, he was totally accessible and personable.

Here are excerpts from Luther's Works:

Luther considered his greatest works to be:  The large and small Catechisms, and Bondage of the Will, but for myself, I would put one additional work in this category: his exposition of the Magnificat.    

The Magnificat:  

The first of Martin Luther's Works that we will look at is Luther's exposition of the Magnificat  To me, this work is the work of True Religious genius, and in my opinion embodies better than any other of his works, the Spirit and knowledge that drove Martin Luther.

In Latin "Magnificat" means: "She praises Highly."  This is an exposition of the words of Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ, our Lord in the book of Luke Chapter 1, verses 46 to 56.:

www.holywordofgod.org/luther/magnificat.

The next work we will examine, is Luther's Exposition of the Sermon on the Mount.  We are just now beginning this study, please join us!:

www.holywordofgod.org/luther/sermononthemount