Rick Steves’ Luther and the Reformation

Commentary by Charles Sulka

Youtube Video URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXK9NNp1yk4

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This video seemed to me to be a historically accurate — and most importantly, fair — exposition on Martin Luther and the Reformation. I say this with some reservation, because from what little reading I have undertaken on the subject, there were some questionable practices and aspects of Luther’s life that this video glossed over. For example, Luther deleted a number of books from the canon of the Bible.

Luther’s Bible (today used by many Protestants) is missing several books which the early Church held to be inspired works. Luthor’s reasons for deleting these books from his translation of the Bible are questionable.

For example, Luther removed the Letter of James from his version of the Bible because it emphasized the centrality of good works in the Christian life. This conflicted with Luther’s belief that for the Christian, salvation was based on faith alone, not works. While it is true that God’s calling is a matter of divine grace, and is not merited, or earned … it is nonetheless also true that the Christian is called to an exemplary life. Exemplary means just that: setting an example for others by committing one’s life to service to others (and God, of course.)

Many people who aspire to be Christians (especially Protestants) are unclear on the concept of ‘works’. The false prophets who are leading the children astray today make a special point of emphasizing their misguided doctrine that Christians are saved by faith and not works.

Works, in Biblical parlance, means ‘observances.’ It was the rote recitation of repetitive prayers, ornate rituals, and observances — the religious practices of the Jews and other primitive religions — that Jesus decried. Setting an example by doing good works for others (instead of just giving alms, as the Jews were expected to do, even if they did so grudgingly if at all) is expected of all Christians. Jesus demanded that his followers place the well-being of others ahead of their own. James, the brother of Jesus and leader of the Church at Jerusalem, made this clear in his epistle.

Good works are a sign that one has the Holy Spirit in them. Christian good works convinces others that the Church really is of God. The Christian life requires, as one of it’s core principles, that believers perform what the early Church Fathers categorized as the Seven Corporal Works of Mercy. Of course there are innumerable ways the Christian can serve his fellow man; these seven might be thought of as the bare minimum.

The TV preachers and other false prophets denigrate Christian good works because they want to promote ‘cheap grace’, promising salvation without sacrifice. Such religion is easier to sell. And selling themselves and counterfeit faith is what they are all about.

Luther’s misreading of the Bible and his misunderstanding of the words of Our Lord with regard to ‘works’ has done so much damage to the Faith …. The Bible makes it clear: man cannot buy his place in Heaven, purchase the Gift of the Holy Spirit, or earn salvation by anything he institutes on his own; salvation is a gift from God. But those who are truly saved (having received the Gift of the Holy Spirit) perform good works — not religious observances — out of a fervent love for God and their fellow man.

Another of Luther’s errors deserves mention, although it no longer appears to be an impediment to most people’s understanding of the Gospel. Luther advocated the concept of ‘the priesthood of the laity’ — the idea that ordinary untrained people were just as qualified to officiate at services, teach Christian doctrine, and lead the faithful as formally trained clergy. That the concept is absurd goes without saying, and, indeed, it has been totally repudiated.

Of course there were no seminaries in Jesus day. The Apostles and early Church leaders did not need formal training at seminaries because the Holy Spirit inspired their faith and gave them understanding directly — knowledge which they shared with others, comprising an informal process of indoctrination. Every Protestant denomination today has ordained ministers, trained in seminaries, leading the congregations. (And, truth be told, most who boast of being ‘spirit filled’ these days are usually frauds or flakes. Be especially wary of charismatics!)

But Luther was certainly right about one thing. The Church was corrupt — then, as now.

Bear in mind that in Luther’s day, the Catholic Church clergy was often corrupt, enmeshed with local politics, and were quite unworthy to serve. Frequently Church officials (especially bishops) purchased their clerical offices through a process known as simony. If you think the issue of Church vs. State is a problem today — and it is, especially in America — imagine how it was in Luther’s day when the religious leaders assumed their lofty position because of their family’s wealth or inherited privelege. In Luther’s day the illiterate and untrained parishioner probably was better qualified to speak for God than many Church officials.

(chs 08-22-2019 1043 -0500 / 08-28-2019 1407 -0500)

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Rick Steves’ Luther and the Reformation

55:37

Rick Steves’ Europe

Published on Aug 23, 2017

Five hundred years ago, Martin Luther kicked off the Protestant Reformation, which contributed to the birth of our modern age. In this one-hour special — filmed on location in Europe — Rick Steves tells the story of a humble monk who lived a dramatic life. Rick visits key sites relating to the Reformation (including Erfurt, Wittenberg, and Rome) and explores the complicated political world of 16th-century Europe — from indulgences to iconoclasts, and from the printing press to the Counter-Reformation. It’s a story of power, rebellion, and faith that you’ll never forget.

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