September 3, 2010  

Martin Luther, the theo-blogger

Here is Heiko Oberman describing Martin Luther’s view of himself as an ‘instrument of God’:

. . . Luther, too, saw himself as an intrument, but of a totally differenty type [in contrast to Erasmus]. It was not intelligence or determination that was shaping the course of his career; God was driving him on and sweeping him along. He had no illusions about his abilities. Others had superior talents and education, and Erasmus, the great humanist so feared by Aleander, far surpassed Luther in the art of oratory and knowledge of languages. Luther lacked an air of cool superiority when dealing with people who did not share his views; he flared up and lost his temper. Even his writings were undisciplined; it was not only his early works which he would have preferred disappear from circulation. He recommended that the Holy Scriptures, not his works, should be read; and if anything else was to be consulted, then rather the Loci communes. Melanchthon’s concise work on Evangelical doctrine first published in 1521. [brackets mine] (Heiko Oberman, “Luther: Man Between God And The Devil,” 210)

I think Luther would’ve made a great theo-blogger ;-) . . .

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5 Responses to “Martin Luther, the theo-blogger”

  1. A.J. Smith says :

    Would Luther have posted his Theses on his blog instead of on the door at Castle Church at Wittenberg if the Reformation was today? I’m trying to imagine what a blog of Luther’s would be like. . . .

  2. Bobby Grow says :

    Hey A.J.,

    thanks for the visit and welcome. Probably not, cyberspace would’ve just chewed them up and spit them out. In fact I would say that you could survey much of theo-cyberspace and find many “new theses” being posted . . . I think Luther just “happened” to be in the “fullness of time” (to borrow a Pauline phrase Gal. 4), and the Lord worked his work through Luther at that time and for His purpose.

    I think Luther’s “header” would have some funky art work or something (maybe a picture of a toilet or something) ;-) .

  3. Duane says :

    Martin Luther’s overt humility resonates with me. As a member of the Lutheran Church, I would love to be “a Lutheran”; it’s just a couple issues as the “real presence” and pedo-baptism, and that baptism is salvific, that prevent me.

    I have a small book Martin Luther Had A Wife which tells the matrimonial stories of ML, Calvin and John Wesley. Luther appears gto have had the healthiest marital relationship. John Wesley married under pressure from his brother. I don’t recall what Calvin’s issues were. I think Luther thrived in family life, where the others thrived in school, and church and office.

  4. Duane says :

    I tried to underline “Martin Luther Had a Wife” but it didn’t take, so I’ll go ahead with full reference: by William J. Petersen, Tyndale House 1983
    You could probably read this in an hour or so Bobby.

  5. Bobby Grow says :

    Duane,

    You realize that Luther was not a Lutheran; post-Luther, he was coopted by different groups, and similar to the Calvinists “scholasticism” is put back in place (which Luther severely protested) through folks like Melanchthon and others.