Over the course of his life, Luther wrote hymns on all six chief parts of the catechism. He did not specifically compose them at one time as a set, and in fact most of these predate the publication of the Small Catechism in 1529, but it is natural that similar themes would be found in both his hymnody and his writings. In some cases Luther modified existing hymns, while others were completely new compositions.
Luther, in the Smalcald Articles, isn't so much confronting an error directly (that comes in the next Article on Repentance), but is instead making a positive confession about what the Law is and what role it plays in the world.
This month’s Life Together News Digest focuses on the Synod’s initial response to Hurricane Irma and the sustained response to Harvey.
Luther says, “there ought to be only two [who fight]: the one is named Christian, the other, Emperor Charles” Christians may indeed serve in the offices of soldier or ruler, but then they would find their duties in the civil realm.
In 1453, Constantinople, the capital city of the Byzantine Empire, fell to the Muslim Ottoman Turks. This marked a decisive end for the eastern Christian empire. But the Turks also pressed westward into Europe, conquering Greece and the Baltics.
Although Cranach was not an ordained pastor, he was most certainly a theologian, using his skills with paint and brush to visually proclaim the mercy of Christ.
The contributions of Nicolaus Decius to Lutheran hymnody, although few, actually predate the first published hymns of Martin Luther by one year.
In the Large Catechism on the First Commandment Luther says, “There has never been a nation so wicked that it did not establish and maintain some sort of worship. All people have set up their own god, to whom they looked for blessings, help, and comfort.
These 40 devotions — which each include a Scripture passage, a meditation, a prayer and a hymn — are focused on bringing God’s comfort and peace to those who are struggling after a disaster or other crisis.
Reformation A-Z is a booklet of activities that will help educators teach specific parts of the Reformation in the classroom, or help families engage in Reformation learning at home!
Get acquainted with the Wittenberg and Europe that Luther experienced! Learn about Wittenberg’s important landmarks and the geography of Luther’s time, and discover how they might have affected the Reformation.
Is the Bible true? Is it really reliable or is it full of errors? Doesn’t it contradict itself? Luther and other Lutheran Reformers answered these questions in no uncertain terms, defending the inerrancy of Scripture with gusto.
Since Martin Luther, Lutherans have held to the clarity of Scripture, insisting that Scripture is clear. But what does that mean?
During the years leading up to the Reformation, the Roman papacy had convinced much of Christendom that the Scriptures were not enough to settle questions of doctrine and life.
Central to the project of the Lutheran Reformation was the restoration of the supreme authority of Scripture within the life of the Church.