During these weeks leading up to the Reformation festivals a number of presentations and discussions are offered. The question is asked: “Which insight was the driving force behind Luther’s decisions?” He would certainly have answered that he searched for the true founda-tion for his life. This foundation he found in heaven; to be worthy to come into God’s presence. We know that this question could equally true be asked by and for every one of us. Whoever wants to under-stand Luther, cannot bypass his or her own life, without ask-ing :“Where is my foundation?” Luther’s life and work was in the first place to be directed by the Word of God, all else were secondary
results. We can compare this with the image of a volcano: the warmth and energy that enabled Luther’s insights and work is the centre of God’s forgiving love; everything else, like boulders and lava outflows, the results of this central energy.
Luther’s writing about the freedom of Christians sparked a number of changes and reforms during his day and later. For us as part of Christ’s Church, the most important happening was the split in the Church. Although not foreseen by Luther, this resulted in a rethinking and renewal in the Catholic Church as well. “The Evangelical Christians lead the Catholics to become pious,” said a humanist learned man, wo him-self remained a devout Catholic, Willibald Prickheimer, a friend of Albrecht Dürer. Although there still are differences, both Churches are bound by the same history, the same faith and piousness. Both have sinned and live only by the Grace of Jesus, our Saviour. Perhaps we can argue, that a reunion of the two Churches would not necessarily bring a larger concentration of Christianity into the world. Instead, we should maintain our ways to tolerate and cooperate more often, which could send a strong signal into our world.
Which is the case with many great men and women in history, Luther refused to be honoured for his achievements. The saying goes that a life totally submersed in God’s Word and work sometimes makes a person not always attractive to others. The theologian Karl Barth once wrote about great men and women in Scripture: “They seem all to be broken people, not easy going to others, they feel unsatisfied, unful-filled and inadequate. They are no heroes at all. Their life’s work is not finished or properly rounded off, they seldom find peace in them-selves.” This also applies to Luther in a sense. We know about his shortcomings and contradictions, about his anguish, his despair. In spite of this, he found consolation in God’s Word. We also may follow his example by praying from Psalm 46: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble, therefore we will not fear.”
Condensed from an essay by Heinz Zahrnt, written 1983, the 500th celebration of Luther’s birthday
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