Martin Luther . . . The Word of God Central to Reform
Martin Luther . . . The Word of God Central to Reform
[Originally published Oct. 31, 2025]
In the several hundred years leading up to 1517, life looked bleak in many ways for the poorest of the commoners across Europe. Ninety-five percent of them were illiterate and worked the land, while five percent, the noble and landed gentry, own the ground they lived upon. Living in squalor in rude huts, stone single-room cottages, with sleeping loft above and farm animals sharing the living spaces on the earthen floor beneath, the peasants worked hard labor each day to the seasonal cycles that regulated their lives.
There was no upward mobility made possible by law, no protection from cruel overlords, who often demanded payment from their tenant farmers, whether the crop made or not. There were little to no opportunities for education or travel or marrying above their station. They were bound to the land. Used, abused, neglected, and discarded without recourse, they turned to the Church, their only hope. But this avenue failed in many ways to introduce them to the Savior they sought.
Because they could not read, they could only listen to the prayers and sermons intoned in Latin, and sometimes imagined, with limited scope, what they did not understand. They believed what the Church of that day taught – that the performing of certain rites brought salvation in tiny steps along a works-based system. They believed that these sacraments, as they were called, were the channels through which the grace of Christ came to bring salvation, but a personal walk with Christ was not emphasized or understood or expected. The Communion table became the most important part of the service, and the priests turned their backs to the people as they performed the Communion Rites in Latin before the high altar, the high point of every service.
It was Pastor Luther who began to preach to his students and parishioners from the New Testament. Emphasizing three scriptural truths, he introduced them to a Living Savior and a way to walk with God each day personally. He preached Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone), Sola Gratia (grace alone), and Sola Fide (faith alone). These principles from the Protestant Reformation emphasize that the Bible is the only authority for Christian faith and practice, overriding human traditions or church councils. Luther taught that salvation comes only through God's grace, a completely undeserved gift from God, and not something that can be earned by human effort or merit. Finally, he preached that justification, being made right with God, is received only through faith in Jesus Christ, and not through good works.
Challenging tradition, Luther broke with Rome and was soon hunted with a bounty on his head. He went into hiding and translated the Latin Bible into German. His followers, soon growing to the thousands, learned to read, came to know the Living God, and were transformed! First thundered by Luther, Sola Scriptura now resounded across Europe and caused every man and woman to reconsider by whose authority they would live: the Pope’s or God’s? Tradition AND Scripture, or Scripture alone? And how would they learn to know God? The Answer? Through His Word, for the first time printed in their own language. The sacraments would no longer be the central focus of this reformed Church. The Word of God now took its rightful place as the Holy Spirit spoke through scriptures to the hearts of all who sought peace with God and were hungry for change.
We celebrate Martin Luther this month, and his courage to stand up for truth. His powerful conviction that salvation is for every person, freely offered by Christ Jesus, changed all of church history to follow. One person, indwelt by the Spirit of God and armed with His Word, can do much for Christ's Kingdom. May the authority of God’s Word be central in His Church today, and may we, as His people, take courage like Martin, and embody the Gospel as we follow Him.
-Karen O'Dell Bullock
There was no upward mobility made possible by law, no protection from cruel overlords, who often demanded payment from their tenant farmers, whether the crop made or not. There were little to no opportunities for education or travel or marrying above their station. They were bound to the land. Used, abused, neglected, and discarded without recourse, they turned to the Church, their only hope. But this avenue failed in many ways to introduce them to the Savior they sought.
Because they could not read, they could only listen to the prayers and sermons intoned in Latin, and sometimes imagined, with limited scope, what they did not understand. They believed what the Church of that day taught – that the performing of certain rites brought salvation in tiny steps along a works-based system. They believed that these sacraments, as they were called, were the channels through which the grace of Christ came to bring salvation, but a personal walk with Christ was not emphasized or understood or expected. The Communion table became the most important part of the service, and the priests turned their backs to the people as they performed the Communion Rites in Latin before the high altar, the high point of every service.
It was Pastor Luther who began to preach to his students and parishioners from the New Testament. Emphasizing three scriptural truths, he introduced them to a Living Savior and a way to walk with God each day personally. He preached Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone), Sola Gratia (grace alone), and Sola Fide (faith alone). These principles from the Protestant Reformation emphasize that the Bible is the only authority for Christian faith and practice, overriding human traditions or church councils. Luther taught that salvation comes only through God's grace, a completely undeserved gift from God, and not something that can be earned by human effort or merit. Finally, he preached that justification, being made right with God, is received only through faith in Jesus Christ, and not through good works.
Challenging tradition, Luther broke with Rome and was soon hunted with a bounty on his head. He went into hiding and translated the Latin Bible into German. His followers, soon growing to the thousands, learned to read, came to know the Living God, and were transformed! First thundered by Luther, Sola Scriptura now resounded across Europe and caused every man and woman to reconsider by whose authority they would live: the Pope’s or God’s? Tradition AND Scripture, or Scripture alone? And how would they learn to know God? The Answer? Through His Word, for the first time printed in their own language. The sacraments would no longer be the central focus of this reformed Church. The Word of God now took its rightful place as the Holy Spirit spoke through scriptures to the hearts of all who sought peace with God and were hungry for change.
We celebrate Martin Luther this month, and his courage to stand up for truth. His powerful conviction that salvation is for every person, freely offered by Christ Jesus, changed all of church history to follow. One person, indwelt by the Spirit of God and armed with His Word, can do much for Christ's Kingdom. May the authority of God’s Word be central in His Church today, and may we, as His people, take courage like Martin, and embody the Gospel as we follow Him.
-Karen O'Dell Bullock
Posted in PeaceWeavers