Martin Luther was an Augustinian monk who lived during the 16th century. Often referred to as “the father of the Reformation,” many historians credit Luther as the seminal pioneer of the Protestant Reformation.
In 1517, Luther published 95 theses denouncing the Catholic church’s practices of indulgences. His argument was originally intended for internal debate among the academics in Wittenberg, but Luther’s theses and subsequent writings would go on to leave an unmistakable imprint on nearly all of Christendom.
Five-hundred years later, Luther’s legacy remains relevant and influential. Among many other consequences of the Reformation, Luther’s act of defiance against the Catholic church is at least partly responsible for all of the following:
➢ Protestantism and the formation of Protestant denominations
➢ Bible translations that are accessible to the common person
➢ A return to orthodox, Biblical theology that rejects “earning salvation”
➢ Political protection and support for the freedom of religion
Additional Resources:
How Martin Luther Started a Religious Revolution (National Geographic)
How Martin Luther Changed the World (New Yorker Article)
The Forgotten Influence of Martin Luther (The Gospel Coalition)
In 2019, there was a substantially renewed interest in Martin Luther largely due to it being the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. One of the most interesting comparisons to Luther I found in the 21st century limelight was that of our animated President Donald Trump. Luther’s rhetorical prowess and flair certainly bear some resemblance to Trump’s style (as Ryrie notes in Foreign Policy).
In an era very much characterized by controversy over the sort of rhetoric typified in Donald Trump, research on this kind of communication is warranted. The similarities between Trump and Luther in how they use metaphors that resonate with the people are clear. Both figures also write prolifically and incite conflicts between people and institutions. By contrast, however, Luther exemplifies religious self abasement that is notably absent in Trump’s rhetoric.
The importance of humility in communication, let alone Christian ministry, probably cannot be overstated. In a world filled with bold, outrageous claims and assertions made by egotistic characters, humility goes a long way in building credibility.
A humble countenance typically portrays a person as a trustworthy figure. Luther’s deferential language toward the German aristocracy was pervasive in his letters and it is hard to imagine how a lowly monk (as Luther describes himself) would be able to earn the favor of such political figures without declaring himself subordinate to them and their devices. As Christians, we ought to exercise and understand humility in our ministry and communication as one the most central values.
However, Luther also exercises humility even against his adversaries, which reveals a second utility to deferential language: often, you might find it softens the tone of arguments and makes an otherwise hostile recipient see your claims in a more favorable light. If a speaker begins their argument from a place of favor with the recipient, typically that person will at least hear out the argument. If we want people to hear what we have to say about matters of faith, we need to ensure that we are first grounded in a humble view of ourselves.
