Martin Luther Quote
Keeping with a bit of a theme of the week, this quote from Martin Luther (known to drink [and brew!] a beer or two in his day) is helpful:
We must not...reject [or] condemn anything because it is abused. This would result in utter confusion. God has commanded us in Deut. 4 not to lift up our eyes to the sun (and the moon and the stars), etc., that we may not worship them, for they are created to serve all nations. But there are many people who worship the sun and the stars. Therefore we propose to rush in and pull the sun and stars from the skies. No, we had better let it be. Again, wine and women bring many a man to misery and make a fool of him (Ecclus. 19:2; 31:30); so we kill all the women and pour out all the wine. Again, gold and silver cause much evil, so we condemn them. Indeed, if we want to drive away our worst enemy, the one who does us the most harm, we shall have to kill ourselves, for we have no greater enemy than our own heart, as the prophet, Jer. 17, says, "The heart of man is crooked," or, as I take the meaning, "always twisting to one side." And so on - what would we not do?
-From his fourth Invocavit sermon from 1522, found in Works [American edition] 51:85.
HT: Between Two Worlds
We must not...reject [or] condemn anything because it is abused. This would result in utter confusion. God has commanded us in Deut. 4 not to lift up our eyes to the sun (and the moon and the stars), etc., that we may not worship them, for they are created to serve all nations. But there are many people who worship the sun and the stars. Therefore we propose to rush in and pull the sun and stars from the skies. No, we had better let it be. Again, wine and women bring many a man to misery and make a fool of him (Ecclus. 19:2; 31:30); so we kill all the women and pour out all the wine. Again, gold and silver cause much evil, so we condemn them. Indeed, if we want to drive away our worst enemy, the one who does us the most harm, we shall have to kill ourselves, for we have no greater enemy than our own heart, as the prophet, Jer. 17, says, "The heart of man is crooked," or, as I take the meaning, "always twisting to one side." And so on - what would we not do?
-From his fourth Invocavit sermon from 1522, found in Works [American edition] 51:85.
HT: Between Two Worlds
posted by go to www.chadjarnagin.com at 6/29/2006
5 Comments:
Some more of Luther's wisdom can be found here.
Such wonderful things as:
I had made up my mind to write no more either about the Jews or against them. But since I learned that these miserable and accursed people do not cease to lure to themselves even us, that is, the Christians, I have published this little book, so that I might be found among those who opposed such poisonous activities of the Jews who warned the Christians to be on their guard against them. I would not have believed that a Christian could be duped by the Jews into taking their exile and wretchedness upon himself.
----
So you see, don't rely on the "wisdom" of men. Just look to scripture. I would hardly think that just because Luther (who drank culturally, just as some here refuse to drink for cultural reasons) had something to say that it was inviolate because he said it.
He said a lot of horrible things, too. (See above quote.)
I think that it goes to show that everyone has great things to say and crappy things to say. We are people, broken and fallen. Luther included.
It is also amazing to see that God will use us inspite of our crappiness. OBVISOULY Luther was used even though he had some harsh things to say about the Jews.
Sorry if I got off base from the entry Chad. I was just looking at Kat's comment here.
Steph
Luther himself quoted Jer. 17 that "the heart of man is crooked"...himself included, as Steph said.
One might want to read this entry again....there is a point besides finding fault in another person like Luther.
Much love.
Interesting post...honestly, not really sure HOW I found your blog but I'll leave a lil' comment.
Anything can be abused. Food, people's kindness, even scripture when misused. Men are weak. God is good. : )
Nice to meet you.
Danielle
California
Wait a second...you have a Justin Adams link. I know this guy! (not personally...) He rocks! Great taste!
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