Austin's Blog

Many people know and revere Martin Luther’s courageous stand at the Diet of Worms where he refused to recant his works and teaching, arguing that to do so would violate his conscience and what Scripture plainly taught. It was a heroic act that pit him against the state as well as the church. According to tradition, when pressed to renounce Luther is said to have declared, “Here I stand, I can do no other,” before concluding with “God help me. Amen.” The emperor Charles V gave Luther a promise of safe passage for 21 days. After that though, he was to be arrested, turned into the proper authorities, and his works were to be disavowed and burned. Anyone who helped the reformer would also be considered an enemy of the state and church. He was a condemned heretic.

While Luther was traveling back from Worms, he and his company were surprised by a group of armed horsemen shouting and commanding orders. Luther was grabbed and taken hostage on horseback. He was brought to the castle at Wartburg in secret. However, it was all a plot by his friends who wanted to protect Luther from being captured, imprisoned, or worse. He was to go into exile and hiding for almost 11 months for his own safety and the good of the church. The reformer who had been bold as lion must now hide in seclusion.

Luther hated this period. His letters reveal he fell into great despair and depression while being assaulted by the Enemy almost daily. He felt like he was taken out of the fight at one of its most pivotal junctures. Yet, during this time, Luther was insanely productive writing pamphlets, letters, books and commentaries on the Bible. Luther’s most important contribution while exiled in the Wartburg castle was his German translation of the New testament. Luther was well-qualified for the task because he possessed a good understanding of the original language, an excellent grasp of German, he truly loved the Bible, and was led of the Holy Spirit. His work in the original languages was aided by his long-time friend and colleague Philip Melanchthon whose scholarship surpassed Luther’s. What Luther lacked, Melanchthon filled.

Through the translation, the Bible was brought to the common man in his common, heart language. Now any lay person who could read German could read the Holy Scriptures for themselves. His version was soon followed by other translations in Dutch, English, and French. The Reformation then proceeded not upon the personality of the Reformers but the book they so esteemed and cherished. It is not an overestimation to argue that his translation was likely his greatest achievement, act of faith, and contribution for the Reformation and the Kingdom.

Why does this matter? From Luther’s perspective, the 11-month exile in Wartburg was dark, depressive, and an example of cowardice because there was so much to be done for the cause of Christ. Yet, his greatest work and labor of love was produced during this time. Perhaps our periods of great despair and darkness can also be times when the Lord does so much within us and for His Kingdom. Our perspectives are limited and our vision is shortsighted and we do not yet know the full import of all we do in His name. Our task is to be faithful where we are at, not sitting around impugning his goodness and sovereignty wishing we were somewhere else in life and ministry. Let the reader hear and understand. I certainly need to.