"While I sat still and drank beer with Philiip and Amsdorf, God dealt the papacy a mighty blow." - Martin Luther

Thank God for Martin Luther. The founder of the Reformation (although he was not looking to break from the Roman Catholic church, but rather "reform" the church. Unfortunately, they didn't listen). Whew, thank goodness he opened his Bible and pondered and compared what the Bible said to what the dominant religion of that time was saying. All these "rules" and "interpretations" that all had to follow. All he had heard his whole life were indulgences, purgatory, papal supremacy, etc. It is easy for us, because we see the difference and heresy that were handed down from the church of that day. We have so many references and manuals and interpretations to get our hands on. Hebrew, Greek, and Latin language translations with the "true" meaning of what the written word says.

However, amongst the protestants, we still have disagreements on exactly what those translations even are (think alcohol, baptism, communion, tongues, etc.). Pastors and evangelists preach these topics from the pulpit. They also write books and publish essays on these subjects. Many people sit in the pew and listen, or grab a latte and sit in their local Starbucks and ponder and discuss, or lounge at home on the couch reading these published essays and reports. The "educated" people read or study both sides of the argument and come to a conclusion on how they see things.

Martin simply used the Bible. That simple. Well, actually it isn't. What I mean by it wasn't easy is that Martin was human. Me and you are human. Many humans have a tendency to doubt themselves. Think of the times you heard something from the pulpit, did some studying in the Bible, and found what you heard to be incorrect. How easy is it for you to walk up to that pastor or evangelist and tell them what your argument is? Even though you are very confident and maybe even now know you are 100% correct. Still you feel a sense of hesitation. What if I am wrong? What if I missed an angle? What if I am trying to make something right that really is wrong? Afterall, they are an ordained minister and went to school for this. Maybe I'll just keep this to myself. Why ruffle feathers or shuffle the deck?

Maybe this only happens to me. I doubt it though. I believe it happens to almost everyone if not everyone. Just some can hide it better. Luther didn't have all the resources available to him like we have now. Yet, he found 95 individual errors of what the church was teaching at that time. He then took those, wrote them down on paper, walked down to the church and nailed them to the door. Sure, there was some early work done by other "reformers" for Martin to go on, but his ultimate authority was the Bible. Thank God Martin put Hebrews 4:12 into action. I cannot imagine it was an easy thing to do. I am sure he had self doubt and hesitation. He poured over Scripture and talked and dialogued with trusted companions through speech and letter. Yet "the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God" convicted and compelled him to change all of history.

I sometimes wonder what Luther did while he traveled down the cobblestone walkway. Did he walk with his head down and at a quick pace so no one would see him? Did he "pump himself up" by talking to himself? Did he turn around and head home once? twice? Three times? When he got to the door, were his hands shaking so bad that he fumbled with the hammer or nail and dropped it? Did the thud resonante in the night like a gunshot would now outside our window? Did he hesitate one last time before driving that nail into the door? Did he stop to reread the letter to check for spelling mistakes? After he nailed it to the door, did he think of pulling it off the door?

I could go on and on. Feel free to add your own possibilities and think of what you would do. Think about Luther on his way home. How did he sleep that night? What did he dream?

How hard is it for us to go through with something as minor as our thought on alcohol? Luther went about to reorganize and restructure the entire church! The worse that happens to us is the preacher argues better and quotes Bible verses better and we feel a sense of humiliation. Luther faced excommunication and possible death (he was dubbed an outlaw by the church at his trial, as such, anyone could kill him and face no punishment). Luther didn't worry about his reputation or possibility of facing humiliation. He wasn't selfish, he realized he wasn't the center of the universe. The Bible said that we are, "saved by grace through faith...it is the gift of God...not of works..." Everyone needed to know this, the whole church and all people. He did what he had to to make sure this happen. He even put the Word of God in everyone's hand by being the first to translate the New Testament into German.

When I add all this up, it is truly amazing that Luther went through with all this.

Then again, maybe he walked to the church, nailed the letter to the door, walked home, enjoyed a late night brew with Philiip and Amsdorf and retired for the evening and got a full 8 hours of sleep.