Humility versus Triumphalism

            In the year 1521, Martin Luther stood before Emperor Charles V at the Diet of Worms.  He was expecting to have some debate and discussion about his 95 theses and other things that he had written about the meaning of God’s grace and salvation.  However, instead he was shown a pile of books and asked if he wrote them.  Then he was asked to recant.  Surprised, he hesitantly asked for a day to consider it.

            The next day he returned and is said to have responded in a very thin voice:  “Unless I am convinced by the testimony of Holy Scripture or by clear rational grounds – for I do not trust the pope or the councils alone, since it is well known that they often erred and contradicted themselves --, I will be bound by the scriptural passages I have quoted.  My conscience is captive to the Word of God, and I cannot and do not want to recant anything because it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience.  May God help me. Amen.”

            Those of you who have seen any of the movies about Martin Luther or any of the paintings depicting the Diet of Worms will have witnessed an entirely different scene.  Most show Luther with his fist in the air in a gesture of defiance.  Most also add the words, “I cannot do otherwise, here I stand.”  He is shown as confident rather than timid – triumphant rather than humble.  Suddenly he becomes the hero, fighting for what is right.

            The truth lies closer to an attitude of humility.  There is no doubt that Luther was convinced that things had gone wrong in the church, but he never expected or wanted to be branded a heretic and a traitor.  He simply wanted others to join the conversation and to reform the church from within.  He wanted everybody to keep Christ at the center and to stop oppressing the poor in the name of the church.

            While many began to see Luther as a hero and even began to call themselves Lutheran, he certainly never viewed himself in that way.  In fact, the last words he ever wrote go something like this: “We are beggars. It is true.”  What he meant was that God is the source of all that is good and the source of salvation.  He would also say that we are nothing without Christ.

            One more example of humility versus triumphalism:  The hymn “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” has often been sung like a victorious battle song.  It is usually sung strongly and heartily – a song of triumph and confidence.  However, the setting in which it was written suggests a different attitude.

            The hymn was written in 1528 around the time of the plague.  Many people in Wittenberg had died, including Luther’s own ten month old daughter, Elisabeth.  While many had urged him to leave Wittenberg, Luther believed that his place was with the people as their pastor.  It was in the midst of his grief that A Mighty Fortress was written.

            Once we know the setting, singing it as a prayer of quiet confidence seems a much more appropriate attitude.  It was not written to celebrate triumph over enemies, but was instead a hymn that looked to God for refuge and strength in the midst of sad and desperate times (cf. Psalm 46).

            These are only a few reflections that come out of the 15th International Luther Seminar in Wittenberg.  More will be shared on Tuesday, May 30th at 7 pm with pictures and stories.  Let us continue to share and to reflect during this 500th Anniversary year.

                        In Christ,

                        Pastor Lynne Hutchison