Posted by
ValiantForTruth on Monday, September 13, 2010 4:20:38 PM
“I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand. I can do no other, so help me God. Amen.” [Martin Luther]
In these words Dr. Luther declared his belief in the absolute authority of God’s revelation of Himself in the Bible. Armed only with his Bible he stood against the combined powers of the anti-Christian church and state. The open Bible became the power of the Reformation by giving the common man access to God’s Law which became the foundation for the principle of the rule of law that overthrew the tyrannies of both church and state hierarchies.
The Great Awakening in colonial America was a renewal of Reformation thought that had come to America brought by the spiritual descendants of the Protestant Reformers. Again, the people armed with their Bibles rose up against tyranny for the advancement of liberty for 'we the people' would be governed by the consent of the governed under a covenant of law.
Today the battle over biblical authority is being waged again against the same enemies of liberty that Luther faced. The anti-Christian church and state demean the Bible and in so doing reject the very foundations of the rule of law and the rightful authority of Jesus Christ over all things. If we would listen, we have much to learn from Martin Luther.
A Mighty Fortress is our God by Martin Luther
A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he amid the flood
of mortal ills prevaling.
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,
thru 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.