Preface
As we move beyond the five-hundred-year anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, it is worth examining the legacy of its founder. Martin Luther is often celebrated as a hero of Scripture and conscience, yet his own writings reveal a man whose theology was unstable, whose rhetoric was violent, and whose views were often shockingly irreverent.
This article presents 38 of Luther’s most troubling statements, each followed by brief historical context. These quotes are taken directly from Luther’s own works, sermons, letters, and Table Talk, and they show the real theological and moral foundations of early Protestantism.
SECTION 1 — Luther on God and Christ
1. “I look upon God no better than a scoundrel.”
Weimar, Vol. 1, Pg. 487. Cf. Table Talk, No. 963.
Context: This remark comes from Luther’s Table Talk, recorded informally by students. It reflects his spiritual despair and his belief that God predestines some to damnation. Even Lutheran scholars acknowledge that Luther often spoke of God in shocking, irreverent terms during these periods.
2. “Christ committed adultery first of all with the women at the well about whom St. John tells us. Was not everybody about Him saying: ‘Whatever has He been doing with her?’ Secondly, with Mary Magdalen, and thirdly with the woman taken in adultery whom He dismissed so lightly. Thus even Christ who was so righteous must have been guilty of fornication before He died.”
Trishreden, Weimer Edition, Vol. 2, Pg. 107.
Context: This is one of Luther’s most blasphemous statements. He said it during a polemical tirade against clerical celibacy. No Protestant scholar defends this quote. It is universally condemned as grotesque and deeply inconsistent with Scripture.
3. “I have greater confidence in my wife and my pupils than I have in Christ.”
Table Talk, 2397b.
Context: Another Table Talk remark. It reveals Luther’s tendency to elevate subjective experience over objective faith and his growing distrust of traditional Christology.
4. “It does not matter how Christ behaved – what He taught is all that matters.”
Erlangen Vol. 29, Pg. 126.
Context: Here Luther separates Christ’s moral example from His teaching. This anticipates later Protestant liberalism and contradicts centuries of Christian moral theology.
SECTION 2 — Luther on the Moral Law and Good Works
5. “[The commandments] only purpose is to show man his impotence to do good and to teach him to despair of himself.”
Denifle, vol. III, p. 364.
Context: Luther’s doctrine of total depravity led him to view the Law as purely condemnatory. This is the root of the Protestant rejection of the Catholic understanding of cooperation with grace.
6. “We must remove the Decalogue out of sight and heart.”
De Wette 4, 188.
Context: Luther believed the Law had no role in the Christian life except to accuse. Even Protestant scholars cite this as an example of his antinomian tendencies.
7. “If we allow them – the Commandments – any influence in our conscience, they become the cloak of all evil, heresies and blasphemies.”
Comm. ad Galat, p. 310.
Context: Luther feared that moral effort would lead to pride. His solution was to minimize the role of the Commandments in Christian conscience.
8. “It is more important to guard against good works than against sin.”
Trischreden, Wittenberg Edition, Vol. VI., p. 160.
Context: This reflects Luther’s belief that good works are spiritually dangerous because they tempt a person to trust in themselves rather than in Christ.
9. “Good works are bad and are sin like the rest.”
Denifle, vol. III, pg. 47.
Context: Luther’s doctrine of the sinfulness of all works was a radical departure from Christian tradition. Catholic theologians immediately condemned this as heresy.
10. “There is no scandal greater, more dangerous, more venomous, than a good outward life, manifested by good works and a pious mode of life. That is the grand portal, the highway that leads to damnation.”
Denifle, vol. II, pg. 128.
Context: Luther feared that visible holiness would lead to pride. This reveals the psychological roots of his theology.
SECTION 3 — Luther on Free Will and Human Nature
11. “…with regard to God, and in all that bears on salvation or damnation, (man) has no ‘free-will’, but is a captive, prisoner and bond slave, either to the will of God, or to the will of Satan.”
Bondage of the Will, ed. Dillenberger, p. 190.
Context: Luther’s debate with Erasmus produced one of his most extreme works. He denied free will entirely, a position rejected by every Church Father before him.
12. “Man is like a horse. Does God leap into the saddle? The horse is obedient… Does God throw down the reins? Then Satan leaps upon the back… Therefore, necessity, not free will, is the controlling principle of our conduct.”
De Servo Arbitrio; quoted in O’Hare, pp. 266–267.
Context: This analogy is foundational to Calvinism. Luther believed humans have no agency in salvation or damnation.
13. “His (Judas) will was the work of God; God by His almighty power moved his will as He does all that is in this world.”
De Servo Arbitrio.
Context: Luther attributes Judas’ betrayal to God’s direct action. This is one of the most troubling implications of his theology.
14. “No good work happens as the result of one’s own wisdom; but everything must happen in a stupor… Reason must be left behind for it is the enemy of faith.”
Trischreden, Weimer VI, 143.
Context: Luther frequently attacked reason, calling it “the Devil’s whore.” This anti-intellectualism shaped later Protestant fundamentalism.
SECTION 4 — Luther on Christian Living and Conscience
15. “Be a sinner, and let your sins be strong… No sin can separate us from Him, even if we were to kill or commit adultery thousands of times each day.”
Letter No. 99, 1 Aug. 1521.
Context: This is Luther’s most infamous quote. He was encouraging Melanchthon to trust in justification by faith alone, but the language is reckless and has been used to justify antinomianism for centuries.
16. “Do not ask anything of your conscience… if necessary, commit some good big sin… Conscience is the voice of Satan.”
Dollinger, vol. III, pg. 248.
Context: Luther often distrusted conscience because it accused him. This reflects his lifelong spiritual scrupulosity.
SECTION 5 — Luther on Heresy, Violence, and Civil Authority
17. “If some were to teach doctrines contradicting an article of faith… such teachers should not be tolerated, but punished as blasphemers.”
Luther’s Works, Vol. 13, 61–62.
Context: Luther supported the death penalty for theological dissent. This contradicts the modern Protestant narrative of “freedom of conscience.”
18. “The stubborn sectaries must be put to death.”
Janssen, Vol. X, 222–223.
Context: Luther endorsed the execution of Anabaptists for rejecting infant baptism and forming independent congregations.
19. “Peasants are no better than straw… they must be compelled to hear the crack of the whip.”
Erlangen Vol 24, Pg. 294.
Context: During the Peasants’ War, Luther sided with the princes. His rhetoric contributed to the slaughter of over 100,000 peasants.
20. “To kill a peasant is not murder; it is helping to extinguish the conflagration… stab, strangle, and kill them like mad dogs.”
Erlangen Vol 24, Pg. 294.
Context: This statement was used by German nobles to justify brutal crackdowns on revolting peasants.
21. “Like the drivers of donkeys… rulers must drive, beat, throttle, hang, burn, behead and torture, so as to make themselves feared.”
Erlangen Vol 15, Pg. 276.
Context: Luther believed strong authoritarian rule was necessary to maintain order. His political theology influenced later German authoritarianism.
SECTION 6 — Luther on the Jews
22. “My advice… is: First, that their synagogues be burned down… toss sulphur and pitch… throw in some hellfire.”
On the Jews and Their Lies.
Context: Luther’s late-life antisemitic writings were used by Nazi propagandists in the 1930s. Historians universally condemn this work.
23. “All their books… be taken from them, not leaving them one leaf.”
On the Jews and Their Lies.
Context: Luther advocated banning Jewish worship and confiscating Jewish religious texts.
24. “They be forbidden on pain of death to praise God, to give thanks, to pray, and to teach publicly among us.”
On the Jews and Their Lies.
Context: Luther wanted to criminalize Jewish prayer. This contradicts basic Christian teaching on religious freedom.
25. “Drive them away like mad dogs.”
O’Hare, The Facts About Luther, p. 290.
Context: This reflects Luther’s disappointment that Jews did not convert to his version of Christianity.
26. “If I had to baptize a Jew, I would take him to the bridge of the Elbe, hang a stone round his neck and push him over.”
Grisar, Vol. V. pg. 413.
Context: This statement is often cited as evidence of Luther’s violent antisemitism.
27. “The Jews deserve to be hanged on gallows seven times higher than ordinary thieves.”
Weimar, Vol. 53, Pg. 502.
Context: This quote is frequently referenced in discussions of Luther’s influence on German antisemitism.
SECTION 7 — Luther on Marriage, Sexuality, and Women
28. “If the husband is unwilling, there is another who is; if the wife is unwilling, then let the maid come.”
Of Married Life.
Context: Luther’s marriage ethics were shaped by his belief that concupiscence is unconquerable.
29. “Suppose I should counsel the wife of an impotent man… to give herself to another… Is such a woman in a saved state? I answer, certainly.”
On Marriage.
Context: Luther endorsed forms of marital arrangement that contradict Christian teaching on fidelity.
30. “It is not in opposition to the Holy Scriptures for a man to have several wives.”
De Wette, Vol. 2, p. 459.
Context: Luther defended polygamy in certain cases, including the bigamous marriage of Philip of Hesse.
31. “The word and work of God is quite clear, viz., that women are made to be either wives or prostitutes.”
On Married Life.
Context: This reflects Luther’s low view of women and sexuality.
32. “In spite of all the good I say of married life… no conjugal due is ever rendered without sin… The matrimonial duty is never performed without sin.”
Weimar, Vol 8. Pg. 654.
Context: Luther believed sexual desire itself was sinful, even within marriage.
33. “To marry is a remedy for fornication… The body asks for a woman and must have it.”
Grisar, Vol. IV, pg. 145.
Context: Luther saw marriage primarily as an outlet for uncontrollable lust.
SECTION 8 — Luther on Truth, Humility, and Scripture
34. “What harm could it do if a man told a good lusty lie in a worthy cause and for the sake of the Christian Churches?”
Lenz: Briefwechsel, Vol. 1. Pg. 373.
Context: Luther occasionally justified lying for religious purposes.
35. “To lie in a case of necessity or for convenience or in excuse… such lying would not be against God.”
Lenz: Briefwechsel, Vol. 1. Pg. 375.
Context: This contradicts the Christian moral tradition on truthfulness.
36. “If your Papist annoys you with the word (‘alone’ – Rom. 3:28), tell him straightway, Dr. Martin Luther will have it so: Papist and ass are one and the same thing. Whoever will not have my translation, let him give it the go-by: the devil’s thanks to him who censures it without my will and knowledge. Luther will have it so, and he is a doctor above all the doctors in Popedom.”
Amic. Discussion, 1, 127; cited in O’Hare, p. 201.
Context: Here, Luther defends inserting the word “alone” into Romans 3:28, even though it does not appear in the Greek text. When Catholics objected, he appealed not to scholarship but to his own authority, mocking “Papists” and insisting “Luther will have it so.”
37. “The history of Jonah is so monstrous that it is absolutely incredible.”
O’Hare, The Facts About Luther, p. 202.
Context: Luther rejected several biblical books and narratives that did not align with his theology. His skepticism toward Jonah reflects his willingness to judge Scripture by his own standards.
38. “To my mind it (the book of the Apocalypse) bears upon it no marks of an apostolic or prophetic character… Everyone may form his own judgment of this book; as for myself, I feel an aversion to it, and to me this is sufficient reason for rejecting it.”
Sammtliche Werke, 63, pp. 169–170; cited in O’Hare, p. 203.
Context: Luther rejected Revelation, Jonah, Esther, and James. His dismissal of Revelation shows how freely he felt entitled to reshape the biblical canon.
Conclusion
Martin Luther was not merely a tool being used by the German Nobles to find cause to stop sending their wealth to Rome. He was a man of profound contradictions, violent rhetoric, and theological innovations that fractured Christian unity. His own words reveal his mental and emotional instability, which remains at the root of Protestantism.
Five hundred years later, the fruit of the tree reflects the root.
How to Read Luther Responsibly
- Luther was not a systematic theologian. He contradicted himself frequently and admitted he was driven by emotion.
- Much of his writing was produced during periods of depression, illness, or rage.
- “Table Talk” quotes are not doctrinal, but they reveal his interior worldview.
- Luther’s rhetoric shaped Protestantism more than his biblical exegesis.
- Protestants often claim these quotes are “out of context,” but the context usually makes them worse, not better.
Even though you can find all of these quotes online, this compilation, ever since its publication, has received a lot of attention from our brothers and sisters in the protesting community. I have read all the comments on the blogs and message boards linked to this article, and here are some of their conclusions. (1) The book Table Talk is not a reliable reference for Martin Luther’s work (ONLY TWO quotes above come from Table Talk). (2) There is a problem with translating some of the quotes because some are from German or Latin to French to English rather than from German or Latin to English. (4) Luther’s violent comments against the peasants are to be contextualized in light of the Peasant Revolt in which he sided with the German Princes. (5) Luther’s violent comments against the Jews are to be contextualized in light of his disappointment that they didn’t receive his reformulation of the Gospel. (6) Luther’s comments against Scripture are true. (7) Luther’s comments against monogamous marriage are true (probably). (8) Luther’s violent comments against the Anabaptists are true, (9) Luther’s comments against the Catholic understanding of Freewill are true, and (10) The only writings of Luther that conservative Lutheran pastors are required to subscribe to (because they strictly reflect biblical doctrine) are the Small Catechism, the Large Catechism, and the Smalkald Articles.
Regarding one of the sources of this compilation (Luther, Exposing the Myth), Reformed protester and Martin Luther Apologist James Swan of William Paterson University has written a detailed critique. In crafting this compilation, I considered Swan’s response and ended up not including many of the quotes he had a good case against. In some cases, Swan was spot on, but in other cases, he would have been much better off not trying to contextualize or excuse Luther. In those cases, Swan’s intellectual honesty is betrayed by his passion for Luther.
WE WANT TO HELP YOU GROW IN YOUR FAITH
HERE ARE SOME OF OUR COURSES
LENTEN RETREAT: The Four Holy Desires of the Liturgy
How to Read the Bible: A Step-by-Step Guide Using the Senses of Scripture
Introduction to the Theology of the Catholic Mass
Return to the Sacred: A Discussion Course on the Dispelling of Darkness in the World
Visiting Professor Lecture Series at Saint Dominic’s Media
Eight Talks on the Theology of the Catholic Mass
The Catechism of the Catholic Church in 32 Lessons (with David L. Gray)
Freemasonry Exposed: A Catholic Perspective on its History, Philosophy, and Religion
A 2006 convert from Agnosticism, David L. Gray has emerged as a prolific Catholic theologian, author, and humorist. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Central State University, Ohio, and a Master of Arts in Catholic Theology (ThM) from Ohio Dominican University. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry (DMin) in Liturgical Catechesis at the Catholic University of America. For more information about Mr. Gray, please visit davidlgray.info
Sorry, David. That's not good enough. If you agree with any of his critiques of your quotations, you should change your article, since it is now a false witness. It doesn't matter how otherwise bad Luther might be. False witness is false witness.
What's so terrible about a Christian "being' an anti-Semite. Jews are certainly anti-Christian.
Wow, I can't believe you are serious. Luther was the greatest anti-Semite who ever lived, and yes I include Hitler, Ahmadinejad, Arafat and Pharoah Rameses II.
Because of Mr. Gray's blog entry, I looked into one of the quotes he did not cut-and-paste from Luther, Exposing the Myth. As it turns out, one of these other quotes probably wasn't written by Luther at all.
#18 was not written by Luther, it was written by Melanchthon.
See:
http://beggarsallreformation.blogspot.com/2013/09/follow-upthe-38-most-ridiculous-things.html
Readers with a strong stomach can learn more by reading Jacques Maritain's Three Reformers: Luther, Descartes, Rousseau. I found it a real eye-opener.
Readers with a strong stomach can learn more by reading Jacques Maritain’s Three Reformers: Luther, Descartes, Rousseau. I found it a real eye-opener.
For one it was not the Protestant Reformation it was the Protestant Revolt. They didn’t reform anything. I haven’t read all of this but when I do; I’ll comment.
For one it was not the Protestant Reformation it was the Protestant Revolt. They didn’t reform anything. I haven’t read all of this but when I do; I’ll comment.
Yes they did…we now have bibles…
Can't wait.
I wish there were more a spirit of ecumenism here. Dietrich Bonhoeffer where are you to speak sense to ALL of these people? Martin Luther said many things…some truthful…others simply heretical rantings…but even Pope Emeritus Benedict has addressed this about Luther… We are the CHURCH…apart…together…whatever… this is exactly what the EVIL ONE wants… squabbling!!!! Over religion…not faith! I am sadden that we are not united as One Church…but I believe that one day we will be….and note to the Most Reverend Ash – trashing Holy Mother Church is not a good argument here… it only belies your inability to defend your point…
Also many things Luther said at the end of his life when he had obviously declined in both physical and mental health…especially mental health…. I am not defending Luther here.. I am only stating fact. Of course, my grandmother may have said that Luther was suffering because of the course he chose… so who is to know…only God the Father… not you, I or anyone else. The Church gave Luther opportunities to clarify/defend/answer his accusations but he chose not to appear… He could have done more for Christianity by staying and changing the human failings within the Church at the time – but he chose otherwise… The Church took the only course left to it in excommunication. He had a choice…he actually had a duty…in which he failed. It was easier to let his human pride and ego direct has course…and so at the end of his life, he was an angry, ranting theologian. Only God's mercy could redeem him…but again, that would have been Luther's choice…let's hope he chose wisely at that time.
James Swan Catholicism is not embarrassed by this article, since one man's work does not reflect on the whole Church. The whole of Martin Luther's theology and the fruits of it is an embarrassment. More than 40,000 Christian denominations since the Protestant Revolt is embarrassing to all of Christianity.
really sick stuff…not at all a christian viewpoint..anyone have a similar one on the serial killer calvin?
Pastor Ash, it is extremely rare that Catholics ever bring up such things. Heck, I didn't even know about any of this until now. We have always been on the other end of the stick…always being crticized, made fun of, etc. Every single misstep and misspoken word of ours is publicized abroad at a moment's notice. This is the first time I've ever read anything like this. I think you have the situation backwards about the log. Either way, we shouldn't take personal offence about facts. The Catholic Church has apologized about any mistreatment of Jews, and Lutherans should be able to do the same.
The statements/attitudes of Luther about the Jews need to be studied more carefully to assess the effect they had on the proliferation of Nazi ideals in Germany. There was nothing that came close to such vitriol in the Catholic Church. Pope Pius XII has ben unjustly maligned. It seems that the failure to stop the Holocaust may have fell more upon Lutheran culture than historians have thought .
Above, I meant to write (in paragraph 2) "…the effect they had on future generations of Lutherans and the proliferation of Nazi ideals in Germany."
really sick stuff…not at all a christian viewpoint..anyone have a similar one on the serial killer calvin?
Marco, when did our Church state that our leaders make no mistakes? Are you referring to the doctrine of Infallibility? As David Gray recommended, you really ought to read the Catechism of the Catholic Church and make a good faith effort to understand it before you comment on it, and especially so if you convey fallacies about the Church as fact. The doctrine of infallibility does not state that the leaders make no mistakes. The Church teaches that we humans are sinners and have a fallen nature, which includes priests and bishops. But, the Church affirms in the doctrine of Infallibility that the Holy Spirit will protect the Church and its teachings until the end of time. Jesus Christ did not write a book, he taught publicly and then commissioned his Apostles to go and teach all nations (from Matthew: …18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.").
Do you think Jesus expected the Apostles to live long enough to travel to every nation on earth? Or perhaps when he promised to be with them always, he also meant he would guard their successors?
What about this quote from Matthew? (…17 And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 "I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19 "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven."…)
The Catholic doctrine on infallibility of the Pope and bishops pertains only to their teaching authority on faith and morals, it does not pertain to their personal lives and how they live these lives. Every one of the Apostles sinned against Jesus, beginning with Peter who denied him, and Thomas who failed to believe in His resurrection. Yet Jesus commissioned them to teach TRUTHS and Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to them to protect these TRUTHS from corruption. Therefore, infallibility pertains to the power Christ invested in the Apostles and their successors to protect and pass on to new generations these TRUTHS without corrupting the TRUTHS in future centuries. This was absolutely necessary so that all generations until the end of the world would have access to these TRUTHS and be able to find God and to find their true relationship with God. So, when you doubt or deny infallibility, you doubt or deny Christ Himself who commissioned the Apostles and gave them this power to protect and teach the truth.
Also, what did Christ mean when he said to Peter, "and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven"? Does this have any meaning to you whatsoever, or do you think Jesus was speaking frivolously? It has some significant meaning Marco, I assure you. The Catholic interpretation of this verse is that the Apostles and their successors have the power to retain or forgive sins in Jesus name and Jesus binds their decisions in heaven. It can also be interpreted to mean that what the Church officially teaches as truth in faith or morals is ratified in heaven. The Apostles and their successors are protected by the Holy Sprit from ever teaching or binding error (it does not come from their power but from the Holy Spirit).
It is believed that Luther's anti-semitism laid the groundwork for the "success" of the Nazi party and it's extermination of Jews.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_and_antisemitism#The_influence_of_Luther.27s_views
Oje Giwa-Amu Oh so you have read the Catechism of the Catholic Church, understand it all, and have dismissed it all as fallacy? And I assume you have proof of what page and line number is wrong and where we can find the correct interpretation of the doctrine you question? Or, God forbid, you are making this statement about a Church you have not thoroughly investigated on your own?
It is believed that Luther’s anti-semitism laid the groundwork for the “success” of the Nazi party and it’s extermination of Jews.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_and_antisemitism#The_influence_of_Luther.27s_views
Jack, Luther used Catholic abuses as a launching pad for some very bad theology. Jesus Christ said you will know them by their fruits. The fruit of Luther's apostasy was a broken and divided Christian faith where few find their way to the truth now. The divisions between Catholics and Protestants is a scandal. It is bad fruit, Jack. There are very many Catholic saints who confronted Catholic abuses in holy ways, humbly especially (not challenging the authority of the Church). The good these saints do was so immense it will only be truly understood and grasped in heaven. Luther had a choice before him: apostasy and arrogance or humility and submission to the teachings of the Church. He chose the wrong path and now we have over 40,000 denominations all professing to know the truth.
Oje Giwa-Amu Again, where is your proof? The Antichrist is a person, not a church Oje. Personally, I think the Protestants are going to suffer the most when the Antichrist comes because they are all expecting the rapture to take them away before the Tribulation. When they discover they are still here and have to suffer through it along with the rest, they are going to be perplexed and full of doubt about all that they were taught to believe. Add to that, they will refuse to enter the Catholic Church which is the only one who teaches on the value and meaning of suffering. So they will have no answer for their suffering and for having been 'left behind', many will fall into despair and either submit to the AC or kill themselves. Please oh please, do some investigation into the Catholic faith before you condemn it. You are the one in error.
Paul the debate is necessary since we can't leave the truth hidden beneath a lamp. Only in debate will the truth come out. God gave every human person the capacity to recognize truth when he/she hears it. Unfortunately because of our fallen nature, we also have the capacity to deny it, thus denying the Holy Spirit (sinning against the HS).
James Swan, I notice you have the tag William Patterson University after your name. Are you a professor of history perhaps or theology? If so, you might be interested in reading some of Scott Hahn's material/books. He is a theologian who converted from a radical anti-Catholic protestantism to Catholicism. Surely, you would be interested in understanding how a sane man would make this transition? At the very least, you can debate with him since he is evidently your academic peer and the two of you can flesh out the details of Christian history. I highly recommend you check out his website and see if you can find the errors in his ways.
http://www.scotthahn.com/index.html
As far as I know, Scott Hahn has no special interest in Luther / Reformation studies. It is a specific category.
For what it's worth, smart/sane people convert to all sorts of things. That is, intelligence does not equal correct conversion to a particular worldview or religious belief.
40,000? Wow, depending on which Roman Catholic one is interacting with, the number fluctuates.
The Catholic Church did a large amount of help during WWII for the Jews. While you trash talk the Church, I'm sure the 4,000-7,000 Jews that the Church saved and their decedents today would would frown upon your lies.
"The Pope sent out the order that religious buildings were to give refuge to Jews, even at the price of great personal sacrifice on the part of their occupants; he released monasteries and convents from the cloister rule forbidding entry into these religious houses to all but a few specified outsiders, so that they could be used as hiding places. Thousands of Jews – the figures run from 4,000 to 7,000 – were hidden, fed, clothed, and bedded in the 180 known places of refuge in Vatican City, churches and basilicas, Church administrative buildings, and parish houses. Unknown numbers of Jews were sheltered in Castel Gandolfo, the site of the Pope’s summer residence [according to Rabbi David Dalin, at least 3,000 found refuge there], private homes, hospitals, and nursing institutions; and the Pope took personal responsibility for the care of the children of Jews deported from Italy."
http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2013/08/09/the-lie-of-hitlers-pope-collapses-little-by-lttle-now-an-important-new-book-shows-how-pius-xiis-protection-of-the-jews-worked-on-the-ground/#.UgqQZnNskbl.facebook
And how about being one of the predominant factors in ending communism along with being the organization that has done more for the poor than any other?
Heresy is not a speck , its a forest !!
Convert from Lutheranism I must give credit to the dear people in our Lutheran Church, who in spite of Luther's heretical doctrines, imparted to me Love of God. I am happy to be converted to the One , Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church instituted by Christ Jesus and rejoice when others find their way home to Holy Mother Church. People need to stop defending the heretics of the past and realize that they probably no longer identify with the original heresies espoused by their church founders. Luther had good intentions of exposing abuses, but fell into pride which led him to renounce the Church established by Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit to the end of time. Understand that we shall encounter abuses, sinful men and heretics within the Church, but the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against her as promised by Christ.
Convert from Lutheranism I must give credit to the dear people in our Lutheran Church, who in spite of Luther’s heretical doctrines, imparted to me Love of God. I am happy to be converted to the One , Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church instituted by Christ Jesus and rejoice when others find their way home to Holy Mother Church. People need to stop defending the heretics of the past and realize that they probably no longer identify with the original heresies espoused by their church founders. Luther had good intentions of exposing abuses, but fell into pride which led him to renounce the Church established by Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit to the end of time. Understand that we shall encounter abuses, sinful men and heretics within the Church, but the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against her as promised by Christ.
Does the Holy spirit rule the believer or does the Church through infallibility? I could care less about Martin Luther's position on Jews. The ideas of the Catholic Church that were being promoted during his time were not right.Someone would have come along eventually and spoke out against it. "Take the beam out of your own eye before you look at the speck in your brothers eye."
Luther was educated at leading Catholic universities. He had a doctorate in Scripture. He was a professor of Scripture at a Catholic university.
Oh, and the "Table Talk" and the "Tischreden" (correct spelling) are the same thing.
Instead of reading snippets of Luther from tertiary sources, you might want to try something he wrote and published–his Large Catechism, for instance, is readily available. Or his "95 Theses."
What he said about the Jews, and about violence, and about social justice was all echoed by the popes and Catholic theologians of his day. The folks who disagreed, the Anabaptists, were burned by both Lutherans and Catholics.
Does the Holy spirit rule the believer or does the Church through infallibility? I could care less about Martin Luther’s position on Jews. The ideas of the Catholic Church that were being promoted during his time were not right.Someone would have come along eventually and spoke out against it. “Take the beam out of your own eye before you look at the speck in your brothers eye.”
for it's too hard to believe that luther wrote this…. because of his beliefs the 30 years protestang vs catholic war started many years ago.. i hope and i pray that some day protestant and other none catholic christian will accept all catholic.. that we are part of the body of jesus.. so sad to read this 🙁
for it’s too hard to believe that luther wrote this…. because of his beliefs the 30 years protestang vs catholic war started many years ago.. i hope and i pray that some day protestant and other none catholic christian will accept all catholic.. that we are part of the body of jesus.. so sad to read this 🙁
I have never heard or read these things before. I would like to see them in their context. I do know this about Luther. Luther was a Roman Catholic and did not want to leave the Roman Catholic Church. He wanted the Roman Catholic system to "reform."
Luther found that the Scriptures contradicted the"Church." He taught that salvation was by "grace through faith" (as the apostle Paul did, Ephesians 2, Romans 4,5, 10); he taught that every sinner had a right to read the words of God in his or her own language (Acts 2); and he taught that the Bible was the final authority not the "Bishop of Rome" (Acts 17).
Evidently, that is all that Luther found. Beyond that, he was a Catholic through and through. The things that Luther wrote that were un-scriptural were taught to him by the Roman Catholic hierarchy- many of whom were obviously corrupt. Catholic Scholars like Dollinger, Acton, Cormenin have documented this fact.
The truth is there in no "Catholic" Church. One, Apostolic, etc. is a figment of pagan imagination. There are as many schisms in the "Catholic" Church as are in the "Protestant" Church.
The above author may retain some people who have been blinded by Rome in the past; he may even distract some gullible readers who are unfamiliar with Roman Catholic history. But people who have read the history of Rome from the pen of Roman Catholics, are familiar with his tactics and will only feel pity and sorrow for those who remain blinded by Roman Catholic propaganda.
Salvation is in the work that Jesus Christ completed 2,000 years ago. His work is not dispensed or sold to the world through Roman Catholicism. It is offered to "whosoever believeth." But you see this truth will crumble the superstitious stronghold of Rome. So distraction, subterfuge, and confusion come forth from another jesuitical pen.
Write on, Mr. Gray. Protestant America has given you your freedom to do so. In a "catholic" world you would not enjoy such freedom. Unless of course you were propagandizing for Rome.
I have never heard or read these things before. I would like to see them in their context. I do know this about Luther. Luther was a Roman Catholic and did not want to leave the Roman Catholic Church. He wanted the Roman Catholic system to “reform.”
Luther found that the Scriptures contradicted the”Church.” He taught that salvation was by “grace through faith” (as the apostle Paul did, Ephesians 2, Romans 4,5, 10); he taught that every sinner had a right to read the words of God in his or her own language (Acts 2); and he taught that the Bible was the final authority not the “Bishop of Rome” (Acts 17).
Evidently, that is all that Luther found. Beyond that, he was a Catholic through and through. The things that Luther wrote that were un-scriptural were taught to him by the Roman Catholic hierarchy- many of whom were obviously corrupt. Catholic Scholars like Dollinger, Acton, Cormenin have documented this fact.
The truth is there in no “Catholic” Church. One, Apostolic, etc. is a figment of pagan imagination. There are as many schisms in the “Catholic” Church as are in the “Protestant” Church.
The above author may retain some people who have been blinded by Rome in the past; he may even distract some gullible readers who are unfamiliar with Roman Catholic history. But people who have read the history of Rome from the pen of Roman Catholics, are familiar with his tactics and will only feel pity and sorrow for those who remain blinded by Roman Catholic propaganda.
Salvation is in the work that Jesus Christ completed 2,000 years ago. His work is not dispensed or sold to the world through Roman Catholicism. It is offered to “whosoever believeth.” But you see this truth will crumble the superstitious stronghold of Rome. So distraction, subterfuge, and confusion come forth from another jesuitical pen.
Write on, Mr. Gray. Protestant America has given you your freedom to do so. In a “catholic” world you would not enjoy such freedom. Unless of course you were propagandizing for Rome.
Nope, salvation became available when Christ died, His grace became available so we can carry our cross in our daily lives, but He still needs our consent (free will) so grace(s) can be received by our body and soul. Just like what He did with the criminal nailed in His right side in the cross. The person in the right asked for forgiveness, that is why he was promised the He will be in paradise with him. Jesus even said that not everybody will be saved.
“Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. 14″For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it,” (Matt. 7:13-14).
“For many are called, but few are chosen,” (Matt. 22:14).
“And He was passing through from one city and village to another, teaching, and proceeding on His way to Jerusalem. 23And someone said to Him, “Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?” And He said to them, 24″Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25″Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open up to us!’ then He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ 26″Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets’; 27and He will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you are from; depart from Me, all you evildoers,'” (Luke 13:22-27).
“And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, “Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, it is the remnant that will be saved; 28for the Lord will execute His word upon the earth, thoroughly and quickly,” (Rom. 9:27).
* That is why the “once saved, always saved” or “universalism” dogma is a complete heresy and this is a so-called superstition that has infected a lot of evangelicals.
FAITH AND WORKS ARE BIBLICAL
Matthew 12:36, Matthew 16:27, Matthew 25:31-46
Romans 2:2, Romans 2:6
2 Cor 5:10, 2 Cor 11:15
Acts 26:20
1 John 3:10, 1 John 4:20, John 5:29, 1 John 3:18, 1 John 4:14, 1 John 4:17, John 13:35
1 Cor 13:13
Jude 1:15
2 Peter 3:7
James 3:1, James 2:13
Titus 1:16
You said: “Catholic” Church. One, Apostolic, etc. is a figment of pagan imagination”
* Read the early Church fathers – Polycarp, Ignatius of Antioch, Justin Martyr, Tertulian etc, which church they belong to? What traditions did they practice? Definitely not protestant and they are not pagans.
The Church is Apostolic
Matthew 16:13-19
Jesus built his Church on Peter, the rock. (Foretold in the Old Testament in Isaiah 22:15-25.)
Luke 22:29-30
I confer a kingdom on you, just as my Father conferred one on me: you will eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel.
Luke 22:32
Peter appointed to be the chief shepherd. (That Peter’s faith may not fail.)
When the Lord says: that your faith may not fail, the your is in the single, not plural, tense.
John 10:16
One shepherd to shepherd Christ’s sheep.
John 15:16
Jesus chose special men to be his Apostles.
John 21:17-19
Peter appointed to be the chief shepherd.
John 20:21
Jesus gave the Apostles his own mission.
Ephesians 4:11
Church leaders are hierarchical.
1 Timothy 3:1, 8; 1 Timothy 5:17
Identifies roles of bishops, priests and deacons.
Titus 1:5
Commission for bishops to ordain priests.
You said: But you see this truth will crumble the superstitious stronghold of Rome.
* How many televangelists, cults, denominations, evangelical churches that we have seen come and go? As I have mentioned above Sola Scriptura is a failure, this has divided, fragmented and eventually weakened Christians through a fast-food chain of chuches, and even at worst since they have the “bible only” dogma they have proclaimed themselves as their own infallible authority of their church this catastrophically mutated to 40,000 denominations as a result, the confusion is endless among bible only Christian. Sola Scriptura is a House built of sand.
On Roman Catholic History, we Catholics are not denying its past mistakes, turbulent history, but a lot of Catholics know and do not know their history, the church have a lot of great contributions from its Saints, Mystiques, Renaissance Period, Schools, Hospitals etc that has shaped the Western World to its power and glory. They are only inundated by negative leftist-communist-z*i*o*n*i*s*t propaganda, now I am not denying its turbulent history and mistakes, but that is how the church is – it consists of saints and sinners.
yikes
yikes
David L. Gray,
1. Luther was educated in a Catholic Country and raised by Roman Catholics. So, he may very well have been ignorant of the "Church's" teaching. His influence seems to indicate that he was not as "dumb as" some people would make him out to be.
2. You appear to libel Luther here on this point. (I could care less if you do, I don't follow Luther.) However, the book of Romans (along with the remainder of NT Pauline revelation) makes clear that there is a SINGLE condition for man's salvation under the NT (Acts 15, 16; Romans 4,5,6, 10, 11; I Timothy 1; Titus 2; Ephesians 1, 2,; etc.), and this condition is faith. A more accurate way to say what you want to say might be, "Luther edited A VERSE in the book of Romans to say such and such." The way you currently have your statement worded is misrepresenting the fact here. Luther didn't edit "ROMANS to make 'it' (ROMANS) say that."
3. You appear to be confused here as well. Jesus Christ started HIS CHURCH; not the Apostles (Matthew 16; I Corinthians 3; Ephesians 2, 3, 4 , 5; I Peter 2). So, your statement here needs to be corrected. Are you wanting to say that your church can "prove" that it was started by Jesus Christ? Or that your church can "prove" that it is BUILT on the Apostles?
Head in sand or out of sand is many times a matter of perspective. God gave man His word. My paper trail begins and ends with the 66 books of a King James Bible. If that is having my head in the sand, so be it.
4. If we both believe we have the truth and we differ in our fundamental teaching, then it is natural to believe that one or the other is lying, or more charitably, is deceived or misinformed. No offence taken.
Write on, Mr. Gray. Protestant America has given you your freedom to do so. In a "catholic" world you would not enjoy such freedom. Unless of course you were propagandizing for Rome. Write on.
Truth is able to stand on its own two feet.
I encourage you to repent of false religion and trust in Jesus Christ ALONE. He ALONE can save you. He ALONE is the Lord, Christ, Savior and God you need. His blood ALONE is available to you right now. He ALONE is the only "Priest" you'll ever need. Faith in Jesus Christ ALONE is able to save you.
http://www.bbfchurch.net/Ministries/LocalNewspaperArticles/Free_Free_Free.pdf
David L. Gray
As a former Lutheran I feel I know Luther fairly well and all I have to say is
context, Context, context!…
One should NEVER read Luther out of context!!
This list is not particularly helpful because much of it misrepresents Luther a great deal.
I'd be interested in what William M. Cwirla, William Weedon, Jonathan Fisk, Pastor Dustin Parker, Reverendus Larry Beane, Bryan Wolfmueller, Chris Rosebrough, and Todd Wilken would have to say about it!
David L. Gray
As a former Lutheran I feel I know Luther fairly well and all I have to say is
context, Context, context!…
One should NEVER read Luther out of context!!
This list is not particularly helpful because much of it misrepresents Luther a great deal.
I’d be interested in what William M. Cwirla, William Weedon, Jonathan Fisk, Pastor Dustin Parker, Reverendus Larry Beane, Bryan Wolfmueller, Chris Rosebrough, and Todd Wilken would have to say about it!
Sin boldly? How is it possible to read Luther out of context, in that case? St. Paul in Romans says the opposite: Do not sin.
Sin boldly? How is it possible to read Luther out of context, in that case? St. Paul in Romans says the opposite: Do not sin.
David L. Gray I'm not sure where you got the information that Luther's parents were witches. It is kind off odd for witches to baptize their children and raise them as Catholics isn't it? Martin Luther was even named after Martin of Tours who feast day fell on the day of Luther's baptism.
Read Rome Sweet Home by Dr. Scott Hahn. You'll be receiving the Eucharist in no time. Don't believe me, read John 6. I dare you.
Do you have anything nutty from John Calvin?
Calvinism.