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WORKS OF MARTIN LUTHER

The 5 “Sola’s” of the Reformation

 

On October 31st 1517, a German monk named Martin Luther did something that would change the church forever. Luther was concerned that the Roman Catholic Church had hidden the simplicity and purity of the gospel by covering it up with extra “stuff ” like traditions from popes, indulgences, and praying to saints. He wrote a letter listing 95 of his concerns and nailed it to the door of the Church at Wittenburg.  This letter started what we call the Protestant Reformation. The five “Solas” of the Reformation are a shorter way to explain the things that Luther wrote in his letter.

 

SOLA SCRIPTURA

Scripture Alone: Scripture is the only rule* to direct how we may glorify and enjoy God (Deuteronomy 8:3).

 

SOLUS CHRISTUS

Christ Alone: Only Christ brings us to God, no one else (Acts 4:12).

 

SOLA GRATIA

Grace Alone: Only God’s grace saves us; we do nothing to earn or keep our salvation (Romans 6:14).

 

SOLA FIDE

Faith Alone: Only through faith are we made right with God; not good things we do (Romans 3:28).

 

SOLI DEO GLORIA

Glory to God Alone: God does everything for the purpose of His own glory (1 Corinthians 10:31).

 

 

MARTIN LUTHER

 

• Birth: November 10, 1483, Eisleben, Germany
  
• Death: February 18, 1546, Eisleben, Germany

Martin Luther was born into a musical family. As a boy, he joined a boys' choir and became proficient with the flute. Later, he became an Augustinian monk and struggled to meet the demands of a holy God. It is said that "he fasted until his cheeks caved in." He confessed his sins for hours at a time. But he soon began to see that man could not, even at his best, satisfy the almighty God.

Through his study of the Bible, he found that a person can only be saved through the blood of Jesus Christ; not through the purchase of indulgences, which were widely sold in the Catholic Church of his day. For purposes of discussion, he wrote a paper with ninety-five points and tacked it to the church door at Wittenberg. Those theses started the Protestant Reformation.

Luther became known in particular for three things: the doctrine of salvation by faith alone, the belief that Scripture should be translated into the people's language, and the birth of congregational singing. He felt that music was of God, not of man. And he was determined to restore congregational singing in the German language to the Church.

So strong were his beliefs about music and worship that he wrote these fiery words: "Next to the word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world. It controls our hearts, minds and spirits. A person who does not regard music as a marvelous creation of God does not deserve to be called a human being; he should be permitted to hear nothing but the braying of asses and the grunting of hogs!"

His passionate beliefs led Luther to write both words and music for several hymns, including "A Mighty Fortress is Our God." Luther's first hymnal was published in 1524. It contained eight hymns, four written by himself. Later hymnals were also published for congregational use. He urged people to use the hymns at home and encouraged parochial schools to teach them to their students.

Working with skilled musicians, Luther also created new music for church choirs, organ, and other instruments during his life. And after his death in 1546, the first line of "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" was inscribed on his tomb.

“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” Ein Feste Berg        

Text: Martin Luther -  Lyrics Date: 1529/1528  

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.

That Word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.