Martin Luther in 95 Quotes* EBTC EBTC Europäisches Bibel Trainings Centrum an Der Schillingbrücke 4, 10243 Berlin

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Bei Christus kann man Gott nicht verfehlen. 3 Halt dich nur an Christus. Außer Christus gibt es keine Erkenntnis Gottes. 4 Alle rechten Predigten gehen dahin, dass wir glauben sollen, allein Christus sei der einzige Heiland und Trost der Welt. 5 Die Geburt Jesu in Bethlehem ist keine einmalige Geschichte, sondern einMARTIN Geschenk, das ewig bleibt. 6 Wer Gott in ChristusLUTHER nicht findet, der findet ihn nimmermehr; er suche, wo er wolle. 7 Suche dich nur in Christus und nicht in dir, so wirst du dich ewiglich in ihm finden. 8 Christus trägt uns auf seinem Rücken vor IN den Vater. 9 Christus95 lieb haben ist besser denn alles Wissen. 10QUOTES Den Menschen dienen, den dankbaren sowohl wie auch denen, die uns nicht danken – das ist ein Mann. 11 Gesegnet ist das Leben, darin einer nicht sich, sondern seinen Nächsten liebt und dient. 12 Nichts wird langsamer vergessen als eine Beleidi- gung und nichts eher als eine Wohltat.1 13 Für meine Deutschen bin ich geboren, ihnen möchte ich auch Martin Luther in 95 Quotes* EBTC EBTC Europäisches Bibel Trainings Centrum An der Schillingbrücke 4, 10243 Berlin

Editor: Eberhard Dahm Design: Oleksandr Hudym Translation: Daniela Bernhardt-Lohﬁnk

* Translator’s note: We tried to maintain Luther’s tone and language as much as possible when translating his quotes. List of Content

Introduction ...... 5 The Legacy of Martin Luther ...... 6 95 Quotes ...... 9 Christ ...... 10 Service ...... 12 Marriage & Family ...... 14 Determination ...... 16 Gospel ...... 18 Prayer ...... 20 Serenity ...... 22 Faith...... 24 God ...... 26 God‘s Word ...... 28 Suffering ...... 30 The Life of Martin Luther ...... 34

Tower of the former Augustinian Monastery in Wittenberg 3 Luther Oak in Wittenberg 4 EBTC Introduction

On 31 October 1517, Martin Luther published his 95 Theses. In this clear statement, he referred to the Holy Scripture alone. This resulted in the Reformation in Germany and Europe. The Gospel of Grace became important and valid once again and reached the nations of the world.

The 95 quotes cited herein remind us of the posting of the Theses and the life and work of Martin Luther. This is not about exalting a human being but serves to remind us in the future what God brought about through Martin Luther and his companions and the heritage he left us. How can we approach Luther quickly? Hopefully with the selection of these quotes. This selection was thematically ordered.

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5 The Legacy of Martin Luther

On 31 October 1517, an obscure young Augusti- ONE | Luther inspires us to do what is RIGHT nian monk posted 95 theses on the door of the no matter what church in the town of Wittenberg. He was only As his understanding of the Bible increased, so hoping to engage in a sincere and fruitful discus- did the boldness of his teaching and writing. This sion with his superiors in the Roman Catholic offended Church leaders who wanted him to stop. Church. Never did he imagine that his action that He was offered many opportunities to recant. Ho- day would change the world. wever, his convictions based on scripture were firm This year, people are coming from all over the wor- and even if it would cost him his life, he remained ld to Germany in celebration of 500 years since resolved. ‘Here I stand…’ Luther’s boldness and the acknowledged beginning of the Protestant Re- example continues to inspire generations of Chris- formation. They come out of respect and gratitude tians to stand for what is right. to God for Martin Luther.

Here are FIVE REASONS we appreciate Martin TWO | He taught us how to WORK Luther 500 years later: Nearly 400 years after Luther, Max Weber coined the phrase ‘Protestant Work Ethic’ to refer to the way that Protestants work. It was Luther who

6 taught that every vocation has immense value to God and that men can bring Him glory in their work. John Calvin (1509- 1564) took it a step further and taught that men bring glory to God through their work. Ultimately this teaching gave men and women an intrinsic motivation for their work that separated them from the rest of humanity.

THREE | He put the Bible in the COMMON MAN‘S language Before Luther translated the Bible, the common German people had no access to it. It was only in Latin and therefore restricted to priests. They had an enormous power over the people because they held the keys to Bible knowledge. Having the Scripture in their language changed everything for them, giving them the freedom to read and study it on their own. This empowered the people.

FOUR | He was BOLD for the clear and straightfor- ward teaching of the Bible What set Luther apart from his contemporaries at the time was his commitment to a simple and literal teaching of the Bible. When he began to unpack the pages of Scripture he Martin Luther, Woodcut from Lucas Cranach the Elder around 1560 7 realized that what he had discovered about the faith, not based on one’s actions! This revelation sale of the indulgences was only the tip of the ice- changed everything for him. His aim then was to berg when it came to the multiple ways in which tell everyone that what they had been taught was the Roman Church had diverted from a clear untrue. understanding of the Bible. Luther’s newfound Luther had discovered that a reconciliation with understanding of Biblical truth made him a bold God and the forgiveness of sins were possible – and courageous preacher… and set a pattern that through faith, humans can be justified by faith in generations of preachers after him would follow. Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have FIVE | Luther clarified the GOSPEL for everyone been saved through faith, and that not of yoursel- From his earliest days as a monk, he was driven ves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, by a passion to be right before God. He was known that no one should boast.“ to have spent more time in the confession booth than anyone else. He wanted to be forgiven of his The most important part of Luther‘s legacy is this sins and clean before God. This drove him to study rediscovered Gospel of Grace, which he witnes- the scriptures to understand how a man could be sed together with his companions in the Refor- truly forgiven. His search led him to Romans 1:17 mation. where Paul wrote, ‘the just shall live by faith.’ This was liberating to Luther - he understood then that R. Provost righteousness was obtained on the basis of one’s

8 95 Quotes „

LET US AWAKE, MY DEAR GERMANS, AND LET US FEAR GOD MORE THAN 1 THE WORLD!

Stairs in the former Augustinian Monastery 9 Christ

With Christ, it is impossible He who cannot find God in Christ, will 2 to miss God. 6 never find him; he may search wherever he wants. Stay close to Christ. Without Christ, there 3 is no knowledge of God. Search yourself in Christ and not in your- 7 self and then you will find yourself in him All proper sermons lead us to believe that eternally. 4 Christ is the only savior and comfort of the world. Christ carries us on his back before the 8 Father. The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem was not a 5 unique story but a gift that remains for all To love Christ is better than all eternity. 9 knowledge.

10 Christ on the cross, Lucas Cranach the Younger 11 Service

To serve people, the thankful and the For my Germans I was born. It is them, 10 unthankful – that is a man. 13 I want to serve.

Blessed is the life in which one loves Man cannot only serve God with work, 11 and serves, not himself, but his neigh- 14 but with celebrating and resting. bor. Poverty hurts, therefore giveth whoe- Nothing is forgotten slower than an 15 ver can. 12 insult and nothing faster than a good deed.

12 Luther Room Wittenberg 13 Marriage & Family

A wife is the best companion There is no bond on earth so sweet 16 for life. 20 nor any separation so bitter as that which occurs in a good marriage. I was not in love or in passion, but I This is followed by the death of the 17 loved my wife. children; I have experienced this pain. Who marries enters a monastery full of 18 strife. Children are the sweetest pledge of 21 marriage; they bond and strengthen 19 Marriage is medicine against harlotry. the bond of love.

14 With every child you meet, you catch 22 God in the act.

Christ had to become human to rear 23 people. If we want to rear children, we have to become children with them.

Portrait Katharina Bora by Lucas Cranach the Older 15 Determination

Whoever wants to start something, Eat what is cooked, drink what is 24 should do so on time. 27 clear, speak what is true.

Should I ever err, then I prefer spe- I do not believe the pope and coun- 25 aking too harshly and speaking the 28 cils, for they have erred and contra- truth unreasonably than being a dicted each other. I cannot and I will hypocrite and keeping the truth to not recant anything, for to go against myself. conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen. Only he who makes a decision, 26 exists.

16 29 Efforts bring health and strength.

It takes a splendid man with the heart 30 of a lion to write the truth fearlessly. 31 Peace if possible, truth at all costs. 32 Delay is the counter-vice of hurry.

Lutherhaus Wittenberg 17 Gospel

I preach as if Christ was crucified The devil made up his mind wanting 33 yesterday, has risen today and would 35 to devastate Germany since other- return to the earth tomorrow. wise he could not resist the Gospel. And who knows what else will hap- The Gospel has come to the German pen if we want to grumble and be 34 lands; many prosecute it; few desire ungrateful? it; even fewer accept it. Law tells us what to do; the Gospel is 36 what God wants to give us.

18 No heart will be well-fed unless it lis- 37 tens to Christ and the Gospel.

Do believe the Gospel frees us from 38 sins.

The Gospel is a morning gospel that 39 wants us to rise.

Collegienstraße Wittenberg, to the right Leucorea 19 Prayer

To have prayed well is to have stu- Christians that pray are like pillars, 40 died well. 44 carrying the roof of the world.

If God did not want to answer you, he Nobody pleads earnestly who has 41 would not have you pray. 45 never been deeply frightened.

God asks nothing more of us than We are beggars, that is true. 42 asking him for great things. 46

Pray as if all work is worth nothing Cast thy burden upon the Lord. He 43 and work as if all prayers are not 47 has a broad back and can certainly worth nothing. carry it.

20 Auditorium in the Lutherhaus Wittenberg 21 Serenity

Here I sit and drink my Wittenberg If what we want will not happen, then 48 beer and the kingdom of God comes 52 what happens is better. on its own. If I die, then I will die! A joyful heart sees everything bright- 53 49 ly; a gloomy heart sees everything gloomily. I commit myself, my body and soul 54 and all in his hands. Your holy angel Temptations are embraces may be with me that the evil foe may 50 from God. have no power over me. Amen.

For evil and sad thoughts, a good and 51 joyful song and kind talks are nee- ded.

22 Downtown Wittenberg at night 23 Faith

Where there is faith, there is laughter Lord, I am a sinner. I cannot help my- 55 as well. 59 self with my own strength. Therefore, I come to you; Help me! The Holy Spirit is the „Make-sure- 56 maker“. Faith looks to the word, not to the 60 preacher. Joy is the mortarboard of faith. 57 61 Faith without love is worthless. May nobody stop believing that God 58 wants to do great deeds for him. To believe that Christ died for man is 62 worthless if one does not believe to be one of them.

24 Only faith is the peace of the 63 conscience.

Faith is a steady and unwavering look 64 to Christ.

Door portal Lutherhaus Wittenberg 25 God

What is not held by God will not hold. God‘s ways are like a Hebrew book 65 69 one can only read from the back.

Man from his own nature cannot Is it necessary to fully understand 66 want God to be God. 70 the manner in which God works?

God‘s help is a wide space making us In whatever you trust and believe 67 free and joyful. 71 from your heart, that is your God. 68 God provides, but we shall work.

26 It is Gods‘ joy and honor in wanting to 72 give much.

If you are not allowed to laugh in hea- 73 ven, I don‘t want to go there.

Tower of castle church in Wittenberg 27 The Word of God

I will cling to the Word of God; it may Each teaching contradicting the 74 fall or stand whatever else stands 79 Scripture is to be rejected, even if it and falls. snows miracles each day.

Where God‘s word is no longer prea- Well, since I became a doctor 28 75 ched, the people turn wild. 80 years ago, I read the Bible constantly and preach but I am insufficient in it My conscience is a prisoner of God‘s and find something new every day. 76 Word. The Holy Scripture is the only fount of The Bible is neither ancient nor mo- 81 faith. 77 dern, it is eternal. The Word of God is a food. Whoever Invocation of the saints is not menti- 82 eats it, hungers for more. 78 oned in Scripture.

28 God‘s Word is the good sun, giving us 83 the everlasting day to live and to be happy.

God‘s Word is like a flower that is 84 called: the longer, the better. Whoever understands this, falls so deeply in love that he desires it more and more.

Preach the Word and let God make the 85 people pious.

First complete Bible translation of Martin Luther, Print Hans Lufft in Wittenberg, 1534 29 Suffering

Oh, my sin, my god-cursed, horrible All suffering is unbearable if one 86 sin. Oh, my sin, sin, sin! 90 cannot see the end.

Each Christian who truly repents and Three things make a theologian: Me- 87 suffers over his sins, has full forgive- 91 ditation or contemplation, prayer and ness of punishment and guilt without temptation. a letter of indulgence. EIt is better living in the fear of God at Faith and Cross are enough. Faith 92 all times than struggling with fear of 88 cannot exist without the Cross. things to come.

Stop doing evil if the punishment 89 hurts.

30 God often is more glorified through 93 sickness than through health.

We will never be able to leave sadness 94 behind when we are constantly taking our pulse.

Christ on the cross with the thieves, Lucas Cranach the Younger, Stadtkirche Wittenberg around 1563 31 Bust of Martin Luther in the Lutherhaus Wittenberg 32 I ASK THAT PEOPLE SHOULD NOT MAKE USE OF MY NAME, AND SHOULD NOT CALL THEMSELVES LUTHERANS BUT CHRISTIANS. 95 WHAT IS LUTHER? THE TEACHING IS NOT MINE. NOR WAS I CRUCIFIED FOR ANYONE. PAUL WOULD NOT TOLERATE THAT CHRISTIANS CALLED THEMSELVES PAULINE OR PETRINE, BUT CHRISTIANS. HOW DID I, POOR STINKING BAG OF MAGGOTS THAT I AM, COME TO THE POINT WHERE PEOPLE CALL THE CHILDREN OF CHRIST BY MY EVIL NAME?

“ 33 The Life of Martin Luther

Childhood & Youth 14 98 Martin moves to the Latin school in Eisenach. 1483 November 10: Martin Luther, the son of Hans and Margarete Luder was born. (Martin later changed his name to Luther). University & Monastery

1484 The family moves to Mansfeld and came 1501 Luther starts his scientific basic study at to modest wealth. the artistic faculty of the University Erfurt.

1488 Martin visits the public school in Mans- 1502 Luther receives his first academic title as feld. Baccalaureus.

14 97 Martin moves to the school in 1505 January 7: Luther completes his „Magister Magdeburg. Atrium“ (Master of Arts). He follows his father‘s wish and starts studying law.

34 1505 July 17: Luther drops his studies and 1511 Luther permanently moves to Wittenberg. enters the cloister of the Augustiner-Er- For the rest of his life he remains connect- emiten (Augustinian hermits) in Erfurt. ed with this town and the university. The reason was a vow he made in a life-threatening thunderstorm: „Help! Saint Anna, I will become a monk!“ Promotion & Professur

1506 Luther takes his vows as monk. His father 1512 Luther receives his Doctor of Theology. dislikes the path he has taken. Professorship for Biblical Interpretation at the Theologian Faculty in Wittenberg. He Luther is ordained as priest. On order of 1507 accepts preaching ministries in the cloister the Prior he starts studying theology. and in the Stadtkirche Wittenberg. Gradu- 1508 Luther is sent to the cloister in Wittenberg ally, his reformatory knowledge started to and finishes his studies at the University form that God gives and does not demand of Wittenberg. During this time he starts righteousness: Righteousness of God is re- teaching at the Faculty of Arts. vealed through faith and not through works (see Romans 1:17). 1510 November: On order of his Order, he travels to Rome with another friar. On his 1513 – 1517 Luther holds lectures on the return, he is sent to Wittenberg. Psalms, the Letter to the Romans, the Epistle to the Galatians and the Letter to the Hebrews (until 1518).

35 Theses & Tetzel Subpoena & Contempt

1517 October 31: Luther publishes his Nine- 1518 October: Luther is summoned to the Diet ty-five Theses. Mostly, he criticizes the in Augsburg and questioned by Cardinal sale of indulgences of the Dominican friar Thomas Cajetan. Luther refuses to recant Tetzel. The theses were to serve the dispu- his Theses. He flees when he hears that tation among theologians. he might be arrested. The young scholar Philipp Melanchthon arrives in Wittenberg 1517 December: Luther is denounced in Rome this year as professor for Greek. He be- for the first time by Archbishop Albrecht comes a close associate of Luther. due to heresy. 1519 July: Disputation between Luther in Leipzig 1518 :June Pope Leo X initializes the opening with his harshest critic Johannes Eck. Lu- of a heresy case against Luther. Luther ther says that neither the pope nor church travels to Heidelberg where he presents councils are infallible. selected Theses on the Grace of God and the Death of Christ on the Cross. 1520 July 15: Pope Leo X warns Luther with the papal bull Exsurge Domine that he risks excommunication.

36 1520 Luther works on the three great Reforma- 1521 May: Elector Frederick the Wise had tion works: 1) Address to the Christian Luther kidnapped on his way home. He Nobility of the German Nation, 2) The was then escorted to the Wartburg where Babylonian Captivity of the Church, 3) The he lived incognito under the name Junker Freedom of the Christian Man. Jörg (Squire George), protected from the public. He translates the New Testament 1520 December 10: Luther publicly sets fire into German. to the bull that threatens his excommunication with textbooks of ecclesiastical 1522 January 6: The Augustinian Monastery in law. On January 3, 1521 he is excommu- Wittenberg is closed. In September, the nicated when the deadline for revocation translation of the New Testament is pub- expires. lished in Wittenberg.

1524 October 9: Luther discards his monks Confession & Threat robe. 1525 Luther breaks with Erasmus of Rotterdam 1521 April: Luther appears at the Diet of over the question on the free will. Luther Worms. Again, he refuses to recant in front publishes his work “On the Bondage of the of the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Will”. Luther has to fear for his life. An Imperial Ban is imposed on him. He is considered being outlawed.

37 Family & Reformation 1529 In August, a religious discussion initiated by Philip, Landgrave of Hesse, took place in 1525 June 13: Luther marries Katharina von Marburg between Luther, Melanchthon and Bora. They have six children: Johannes Zwingli. No agreement was reached in the (*1527), Elisabeth (*1528 – she dies at the question about the role of communion. age of 7 months), Magdalene (*1529 – she 1530 May 23: Luther’s father Hans Luder dies. dies at the age of 13 years), Martin (*1531), Paul (*1533), Margarete (*1534). 1531 June 30: Luther’s mother Margarete (née Lindemann) dies. 1526 The Reformation is introduced in Hesse. On the first Diet of Spires (June/ August) 1542 September 20: Daughter Magdalene dies. the free exercise of reformation in the sev- eral States of the Empire was guaranteed. Death & Funeral 1527 Around this time, Luther composes the hymn “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”. 154 6 February 15: Luther delivers his last sermon in Eisleben. He dies in Eisleben on 1528 The Reformation is introduced in Bern. February 18. He is buried on February 22 Daughter Elisabeth is born. in the Castle Church in Wittenberg. The fu- 1529 Luther publishes the Small and the Large neral procession was led by 65 horsemen. Catechism.

38 Photo credits References

© BY: EBTC Beintker, Horst: Martin Luther. Die reformatorischen Grundschriften, Page 1, 3, 4, 9, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 31 (Viktor Wink) Band 1–4, München: Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag 1983. Page 27 (Matthias Fröhlich) Bernhard, Marianne (Hrsg): Martin Luther Hausbuch, Bindlach: The use of pictures on pages 7,11,13,21,29, 33 are presented with Gondrom 1996. kind permission by the Luther Memorial Foundations: © BY: Luther Bott, Gerhard (Hrsg.): Martin Luther. Sein Leben in Bildern und Tex- Memorial Foundations Saxony-Anhalt (Stiftung Luthergedenkstätten ten, Frankfurt: Insel Verlag, 1983. Sachsen-Anhalt), (Photos: Viktor Wink, Wittenberg 2014) Fausel, Heinrich: D. Martin Luther. Sein Leben und Werk, Holzgerlin- © BY: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS PUBLIC DOMAIN gen: SCM Hänssler, 2008. Page 15, 31 Heyd, Eduard: Monographien zur Weltgeschichte, Band 29: Luther, Bielefeld: Velhagen & Klasing 1933. Kaufmann, Thomas: Erlöste und Verdammte. Eine Geschichte der Reformation, München: Verlag C.H. Beck, 2017.

Obermann, Heiko A.: Luther - Mensch zwischen Gott und Teufel, Berlin: Severin und Siedler 1982 Schilling, Heinz: Martin Luther. Rebell in einer Zeit des Umbruchs, München: Verlag C.H. Beck, 2016. Seidel, Thomas A.: Luther Brevier. 3. verbesserte Aufl., Weimar: Wartburg Verlag 2007. Thulin, Oskar: Martin Luther. Sein Leben in Bildern und Zeitdoku- menten, Berlin: Evangelische Verlagsanstalt 1964.

39 Bei Christus kann man Gott nicht verfehlen. 3 Halt dich nur

Martin Luther (1483-1546) is an Christus. Außer Christus gibt es keine Erkenntnis Got- regarded as the leading re- tes. 4 Alle rechten Predigten gehen dahin, dass wir glauben former. He initiated the Re- formation with his 95 Theses sollen, allein Christus sei der einzige Heiland und Trost der on October 31, 1517. Even for Welt. 5 Die Geburt Jesu in Bethlehem ist keine einmalige the future, his legacy remains signiﬁ cant. Geschichte, sondern ein Geschenk, das ewig bleibt. 6 Wer Gott in Christus nichtMARTIN findet, der findet ihn nimmermehr; er With a reference to Luther’s legacy, this booklet with 95 suche, wo er wolle. 7LUTHER Suche dich nur in Christus und nicht in selected quotes and his bio- dir, so wirst du dich ewiglich in ihm finden. 8 Christus trägt graphy provides a refreshing insight into his life and work. uns auf seinem Rücken vor den Vater. 9 Christus lieb haben ist besser denn allesIN 95 Wissen. 10 Den Menschen dienen, den dankbaren sowohlQUOTES wie auch denen, die uns nicht danken – das ist ein Mann. 11 Gesegnet ist das Leben, darin einer nicht sich, sondern seinen Nächsten liebt und dient. 12 Nichts EBTC wird langsamer vergessen als eine Beleidigung und nichts eher als eine Wohltat. 13 Für meine Deutschen bin ich gebo- WWW.EBTCONLINE.ORG ren, ihnen möchte ich auch dienen. 14 Mann kann Gott nicht allein mit Arbeit dienen, sondern auch mit Feiern und Ruhen.