Southeast Circuit Reformation Update: Week Twenty-Two Southeast Circuit Reformation Update: Week Twenty-Two The Diet of Worms The Diet of Worms

Rev. Dr. Matt Richard Rev. Dr. Matt Richard

It could have all ended that warm sticky day in April. It was It could have all ended that warm sticky day in April. It was about six o’clock, and the sun was beginning to set. The about six o’clock, and the sun was beginning to set. The bishop’s palace was so full that many had no room to sit. bishop’s palace was so full that many had no room to sit. The Emperor, Electors, and the German Princes all waited The Emperor, Electors, and the German Princes all waited with anticipation to hear the answer that Martin Luther would with anticipation to hear the answer that Martin Luther would bring. Would Martin Luther recant – that is to say – would he bring. Would Martin Luther recant – that is to say – would he retract what he had written and said? Would he withdraw retract what he had written and said? Would he withdraw his complaints about the abuses in the church; would he his complaints about the abuses in the church; would he apologize for the Gospel that he had been preaching and apologize for the Gospel that he had been preaching and teaching? teaching? The question that was before Martin Luther on April 18th of The question that was before Martin Luther on April 18th of 1521 at the Diet of Worms was quite simple, “Martin, answer 1521 at the Diet of Worms was quite simple, “Martin, answer clearly and without any double-talk – do you or do you not clearly and without any double-talk – do you or do you not recant your books and the errors in them?” Now, even recant your books and the errors in them?” Now, even though it was a simple question demanding a simple yes or though it was a simple question demanding a simple yes or no answer, the ramifications of how Luther would respond to no answer, the ramifications of how Luther would respond to this were of astronomical proportions. If Luther were to re- this were of astronomical proportions. If Luther were to re- cant and admit that he was wrong, all would be well before cant and admit that he was wrong, all would be well before the Emperor and the Roman Catholic Church. On the other the Emperor and the Roman Catholic Church. On the other hand, if he did not recant, Luther would most likely find him- hand, if he did not recant, Luther would most likely find him- self at some point having his hands tied behind his back with self at some point having his hands tied behind his back with a chain placed around his neck, as he was attached to a a chain placed around his neck, as he was attached to a stake in the ground upon wood and straw. Indeed, you stake in the ground upon wood and straw. Indeed, you would most likely find himself feeling the heat of fire being set would most likely find himself feeling the heat of fire being set beneath his feet as the fire would consume him to death for beneath his feet as the fire would consume him to death for being a rabble-rouser in the church. being a rabble-rouser in the church. This was it: recant or stand firm… This was it: recant or stand firm… 500 Years of the Lutheran Reformation 500 Years of the Lutheran Reformation Southeast Circuit North Dakota District Southeast Circuit North Dakota District With beads of sweat on his face, Luther responded, With beads of sweat on his face, Luther responded, “Since Your Majesty and your lordships want a simple, clear, “Since Your Majesty and your lordships want a simple, clear, and true answer, I will give it. Unless I am convinced by the and true answer, I will give it. Unless I am convinced by the teachings of Holy Scripture or by sound reasoning – for I do not teachings of Holy Scripture or by sound reasoning – for I do not believe either the pope or councils alone, since they have of- believe either the pope or councils alone, since they have of- ten made mistakes and have even said the exact opposite ten made mistakes and have even said the exact opposite about the same point – I am tied by the Scriptures I have quot- about the same point – I am tied by the Scriptures I have quot- ed and by my conscience. I cannot and will not recant any- ed and by my conscience. I cannot and will not recant any- thing, for to go against conscience is neither safe nor right. thing, for to go against conscience is neither safe nor right. Here I stand. God help me! Amen.” Here I stand. God help me! Amen.” From that bold confession, everyone in the room erupted in From that bold confession, everyone in the room erupted in noise. Some rejoiced; some demanded fire! However, in the noise. Some rejoiced; some demanded fire! However, in the midst of all this commotion, the Gospel of Jesus Christ rang midst of all this commotion, the Gospel of Jesus Christ rang forth. The gates of Hades had not prevailed over the confes- forth. The gates of Hades had not prevailed over the confes- sion of the Gospel. The confession of justification by grace sion of the Gospel. The confession of justification by grace through faith on account of Christ ‘alone,’ did not bend to spir- through faith on account of Christ ‘alone,’ did not bend to spir- itual tyranny. itual tyranny. Today, we stand in the footsteps of Martin Luther as the Lu- Today, we stand in the footsteps of Martin Luther as the Lu- theran Church. We stand with Luther confessing the same theran Church. We stand with Luther confessing the same message. We stand with Luther boldly renouncing the devil message. We stand with Luther boldly renouncing the devil and all of his works and all of his way. We stand steadfast in and all of his works and all of his way. We stand steadfast in the footprints of Luther, by the grace of God, ready to suffer the footprints of Luther, by the grace of God, ready to suffer all, rather than fall away, for we know that this precious doc- all, rather than fall away, for we know that this precious doc- trine of our Lutheran Church is drawn from the Scriptures and is trine of our Lutheran Church is drawn from the Scriptures and is true. Here we stand, we can do no other. God help us. true. Here we stand, we can do no other. God help us. Amen. Amen.

Next Week: Luther’s Exile and the German Bible —Rev. Aaron Hambleton Next Week: Luther’s Exile and the German Bible —Rev. Aaron Hambleton