Martin Luther (Men of Faith)
Things I Highlighted is a bulleted list of particular sentences in a book that stuck out to me. These cannot be viewed as general summaries of books, but rather parts of books that struck me in a way that demanded more of my attention. Typically I share one thing I highlighted from each chapter, so they will appear in the same order they appear in the book. This version of Things I Highlighted will cover Martin Luther (Men of Faith), the fascinating story of the frightened young monk who became the "Father of the Reformation."
Chapter One: The Frightened Boy
Turning over, the unhappy boy began sobbing softly to himself. Why had he ever been born? Was there no way he could be sure of being safe? How could he ever be good in God's eyes? Pondering on all these things, Martin Luther—the child who would be Father of the Reformation—softly cried himself to sleep.
Chapter Two: The Frightened Youth
His voice of anger was a mask for his kindness. If only God were really kind behind his fearful appearance! But, for young Martin Luther, that was simply too much for which to hope.
Chapter Three: The Frightened Student
In the university library one day, Martin came across a copy of the Bible and, for the first time, began to read it for himself. For as long as he could remember, he had heard the Bible read aloud in church on Sundays, and during meals at college on weekdays. Martin was startled to find that the passages with which he was familiar constituted a very small fraction of the whole book. There were hundreds of thousands of words of text that he had never before encountered.
Chapter Four: The Frightened Monk
But now he realized that his most serious sin was failing to trust in the righteousness of God.
"Remember, Brother Martin, that when you have done wrong, think not on how much you must pay to satisfy your guilt, but how much Jesus paid for you."
Chapter Five: The Frightened Teacher
"And so you shall! Stop worrying so much," urged Martin's superior. "It's not God who is frowning on you; it's you who are frowning on God."
Chapter Six: An End to Fear
"We do not become righteous by doing righteous deeds, but having become righteous we do good works," Martin started to preach to the people of Wittenberg.
Chapter Seven: The Wittenberg Door
Taking his hammer and nails and a copy of the Ninety-five Theses, Martin set to work. Little did Martin realize how forcefully he was pounding those nails. The reverberation would be felt throughout Europe and would change the course of history.
Chapter Eight: Escape From Augsburg
The sweet Redeemer, my Lord Jesus Christ, is enough for me, to whom I shall sing so long as I live. And if anyone be unwilling to sing with me, then what is that to me?
Chapter Nine: The Leipzig Debate
"Even councils have contradicted each other," he stated. The only "ultimate authority" that he would recognize was the Bible: "The ordinary layman, standing on Scripture, is more trustworthy than either pope or council without it!"
Chapter Ten: The Burning of the Bull
The only thing that an individual needed to do in order to ensure personal salvation, was to accept (through faith) that Christ's death had made him "right with God." That was something that could never be achieved through good works alone. Theologically, Martin had discovered that man could not be justified, or made right, by good deeds. Justification could come through faith alone.
Good works were but a natural consequence of faith.
Chapter Eleven: Diet of Worms
The whole weight of the Reformation was pressing down on Martin's shoulders as he rose to reply. In ringing tones, he delivered one of the most famous speeches in history:
"Unless I am shown by the testimony of Scripture and be evidential reasoning—for I do not put faith in the pope or councils alone, because it is established that they have often erred and contradicted themselves—my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannon and will not recant anything, for it is neither safe nor right to act against conscience. He I stand. God help me. Amen."
Chapter Twelve: Kidnapped!
"Our next step must be to change all our services into the language of the people—German instead of Latin. But it will then become imperative that the common people have a Bible in German, which they can read for themselves and from which they can be taught."
Chapter Thirteen: Backlash
"I will do my part," he told the eager reformers, "but we must first win the hearts of the people; for it you win the heart, you win the whole man."
Chapter Fourteen: Father of the Reformation
If God could make use of even a small frightened boy, cowering beneath the bedclothes in Mansfeld all those years ago, he can surely use anyone. He could even use you.