Category Archives: Martin Luther

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 →

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

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 →

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

God Crowns His Own Gifts

Posted on November 23, 2021 by Matthew Phillips

One day someone asked Martin Luther whether godly persons should expect merit for their good works that result from their justification.  Luther answered that even the justified were still sinners, who pray for forgiveness and live under grace.  While God … Continue reading →

Posted in Augustine of Hippo, justice, Martin Luther | Leave a comment

Arise O Lord: The Political Origins of Luther’s Reformation

Posted on October 13, 2021 by Matthew Phillips

In his sermon given at the funeral of Duke John of Electoral Saxony (John the Steadfast) in 1532, Martin Luther stated, “a prince is also a human being and always has ten devils around him where another man has only … Continue reading →

Posted in Martin Luther, Reformation | Leave a comment

Flattery Gets You Nowhere

Posted on June 23, 2021 by Matthew Phillips

“I prefer to be frank and not have anyone misled by flattery. I can testify that although my shell may be hard, still my kernel is soft and sweet.  I wish no one harm, but desire everyone to carefully consider … Continue reading →

Posted in gospel, grace, Martin Luther, Reformation | Leave a comment

Mercy in Moderation

Posted on May 7, 2021 by Matthew Phillips

In 1534 Martin Luther published a commentary on Psalm 101.  He used this commentary as an opportunity to write a manual for the Christian prince.  In August 1532, John Frederick the Magnanimous became the Electoral Duke of Saxony with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Aristotle, Cicero, Martin Luther, Politics | Leave a comment

Martin Luther at the Diet of Worms

Posted on April 18, 2021 by Matthew Phillips

On April 14, 1521 Martin Luther wrote the following words in a short letter to Georg Spalatin from Frankfurt-am-Main: I am coming, my Spalatin, although Satan has done everything to hinder me with more than one disease.  All the way … Continue reading →

Posted in Martin Luther, Reformation | Leave a comment

The Perversity and Ingratitude of the World

Posted on January 31, 2021 by Matthew Phillips

“For the perversity and ingratitude of the world is so great that it often repays evil to those who have deserved good from it and sometimes even treats them very rudely; on the other hand, it elevates and honors the … Continue reading →

Posted in Martin Luther, Reformation | Leave a comment

Burning the Bull

Posted on December 10, 2020 by Matthew Phillips

“Greetings.  On December 10, 1520, at nine o’clock in the morning, all the following papal books were burned in Wittenberg at the eastern gate near the Church of the Holy Cross: the Decretum, the Decretals, the [Liber] Sextus, the Clementines, … Continue reading →

Posted in Martin Luther, Reformation | Leave a comment