Martin Luther

I received a rather lengthy email from a friend about some of the statements I have made about Martin Luther. Instead of trying to address all of her questions (which would take a LONG time) I will just make some general statements in regards to Luther. I plan on going into more depth with this person in a one on one setting.

Take them for what they are worth. They are based upon my research and any mistakes in them are mine.



To begin to understand Luther and the Reformation you have to study both the church and the politics of the time. You also have to do your best to try and understand Luther’s mind, which was a mess as most of his writings clearly show.


There are a couple good books I would recomend that I have found very enlightening. I list them at the bottom. However, I will say that Luther’s starting point for his actions was not to become a "holier" person. In other words, he, in my opinion, was not motivated by a deeper call to Holiness. I recognize that this is not what most protestants are taught but that is because they only read one side of the story. Luther’s own writings prove my case. Had Luther been motivated by a deeper call to holiness, there may be some credibility to some of the claims that people make about him. However, his actions led him away from holiness. He threw away his vows that he made to God, and in the process gave in to admitted vices. Once he voiced opposition to Rome, he was very quickly taken under the wings of several political leaders who wanted to break union with Rome for purposes of material wealth and/or political gain.

Next, as guilty as the Catholics have been at different times over the years for abuses and violence, during the time of the reformation and in the following years, protestants were responsible for the deaths of many Catholics. Furthermore, Luther’s actions did not lead Christians to a deeper spiritual unity, but opened the door to heretical theology, division, contention and hatred. I admit that there were abuses going on at the time. These abuses were all corrected at the Council of Trent. Every single one of them.

To me, I don’t see quitting as an option when God is concerned and the welfare of souls is at stake but obviously Luther did. The most damaging thing about his quitting is that not only did he quit, but he invented an easier, "feel good" way. A way that lacks accountability. A way that ignores responsibility. I tend to believe as the Jesuits do that when we want change or are unhappy with the status quo, that we always must begin by "reforming ourselves first".

All that being said,it may surprise you to know that Luther was not the major player in the Reformation. What took place in England was much more devastating to the union of Christians than anything Luther ever did or said. Had England remained Catholic (the people wanted to, it was the wealthy that caused the break with Rome, once again for material gain) then Europe would still be a Catholic continent today with only small pockets of Protestantism.

A couple good books I would recommend are:

1. Roots of the Reformation by Karl Adam
2. How the Reformation Happened by Hilaire Belloc
3. Characters of the Reformation by Hilaire Belloc

There are others but these are a good start.

Hope that Helps

Pete