When Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses on the door of Whittenberg Chapel, his challege as to how the church should be reformed sent shock waves all over Europe. Kings, popes, cardinals, and bishops were enraged. Europe burst into flames. All those who embraced Luther's views, which were supported by the Bible, were hunted like criminals, burnt at the stake, tortured, and sewn up in bags and thrown into the river. The basis for Luther's ideas is the foundation of all we hold dear - the common man's ability to read the Bible for himself and apply it to all of life. In the midst of that great battle for truth, Luther penned these immortal words:
Martin Luther - 1529
A Mighty Fortress is our God, a Bulwark never failing;
Our Helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
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 through 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.
