Category Archives: Martin Luther

The Complaint of Professor Luther

Posted on September 30, 2024 by Matthew Phillips

“I am a very busy person. Four persons are dependent on me, and each of them demands my time for himself. Four times a week I preach in public, twice a week I lecture, and in addition I hear cases, … Continue reading →

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Speaking Before Kings

Posted on June 25, 2024 by Matthew Phillips

“I am tremendously pleased to have lived to this moment when Christ, by his staunch confessors, has publicly been proclaimed in such a great assembly by means of this really most beautiful confession. And [so the word] is fulfilled: ‘I … Continue reading →

Posted in Augsburg Confession, government, Martin Luther | Leave a comment

Hanging Thieves

Posted on April 23, 2024 by Matthew Phillips

“Kings and princes ought to look into this matter and forbid them by strict laws. But I hear that they have a finger in it themselves, and the saying of Isaiah [1:23] in fulfilled, ‘Your princes have become companions of … Continue reading →

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Ceremonies

Posted on December 26, 2023 by Matthew Phillips

“In the meantime, I have considered your wish, and it seems wise to me that I should shortly publish something setting forth (as I have written) a form of the celebration of the mass.  Meanwhile, abolish all private masses if … Continue reading →

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Offices of Princes

Posted on August 2, 2023 by Matthew Phillips

“The offices of princes and officials are divine and right, but those who are in them and use them are usually of the devil. And if a prince is a rare dish in heaven, this is even more true of … Continue reading →

Posted in Martin Luther, Politics, Reformation | Leave a comment

This Shameful Vice: Luther On Greed

Posted on June 19, 2023 by Matthew Phillips

“We daily see what a shameful, cursed vice greed is and what harm it does, especially in high offices and estates both spiritual and secular. If the greed-devil possesses a pastor’s or a preacher’s heart, so that (like the rest … Continue reading →

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Adoration of the Sacrament

Posted on May 30, 2023 by Matthew Phillips

“Everything depends on these words.  Every Christian should and must know them and hold them fast. He must never let anyone take away from him by any other kind of teaching, even though it were an angel from heaven [Gal. … Continue reading →

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No Word Sounds Sweeter

Posted on February 9, 2023 by Matthew Phillips

“Your word pierced me like the sharp arrow of the Mighty. As a result, I began to compare your statements with the passages of Scripture which speak of poenitentia [repentance]. And behold — what a most pleasant scene! Biblical words … Continue reading →

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Martin Luther on Monastic Vows

Posted on July 22, 2022 by Matthew Phillips

“There is no doubt that the monastic vow is in itself a most dangerous thing because it is without the authority and example of Scripture.  Neither the early church nor the New Testament knows anything at all of the taking … Continue reading →

Posted in Martin Luther, Reformation, theology | 1 Comment

Winning Hearts and Minds

Posted on March 19, 2022 by Matthew Phillips

On March 6, 1522, Martin Luther returned permanently after an approximately ten-month stay in the Wartburg Castle.  The electoral duke of Saxony, Frederick the Wise, had sent Luther to the Wartburg after the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, issued the … Continue reading →

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