Luther Starts Something

It is said that October 31, 1517 was the day on which Martin Luther nailed his "95 Theses" to the door of Castle Church in Wittenburg. It was an action that changed the course of history. It was never the intention of this good priest to create schism, but rather to bring the course of the church into line with scriptural teachings. It would require entire volumes to assay the results of Luther's thinking and work. In fact, entire volumes have been written on the subject, and are still being written. Luther was born in Eisleben, where his mother took him as an infant to St. Peter's Church and dedicated him to God. Following his career as a clergyman, Luther returned to Eisleben to deal with a legal matter pertaining to the family business, and there he died. Regardless of your church affiliation, you must certainly agree that this man of God had a powerful effect on the church, and on the history of the world. I believe honor is due him, as he acted in good conscience and in good faith. Was he right on all social and theological issues? Of course not. Yet the significance of his life must be honored. Was he a flawed man? Are we not all flawed?

Painting of Luther by Lucas Cranach, 1533