Courage

If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your dwelling. For he orders his angels to protect you wherever you go. Psalm 91:9-11

In the early 1500s two radical ideas crystallized in the mind of a university professor in the backwater town of Wittenberg, Germany: People are saved by faith (not by human effort), and Scripture (not the church) is the test of truth. These ideas seemed radically subversive to the authorities of the day, so the pope kicked the professor, Martin Luther, out of the church, and Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor, ordered the “heretic” to appear before him.

Luther relished the idea of arguing his views before Charles, so he agreed to appear at Worms, Germany, in April 1521. Charles V sat on a dais, flanked by his advisers and representatives of Rome, and all around were his Spanish troops decked out in their parade best. The hall was filled with the politically powerful-bishops, princes, and representatives of the great cities. In the midst of this impressive assembly stood a table holding a pile of books.

An official asked Luther if had he written these books, and if so, was there a part of them he would now choose to recant? Luther was stunned. There would be no debate or hearing. His judges had already made their decision. In a voice that could barely be heard, Luther replied, “The books are all mine, and I have written more.” To the second question, he answered, “This touches God and his Word. This affects the salvation of souls. I beg you, give me time.” He was given one day, which he spent in turmoil over what he should do.

His life was now on the line.

The next evening the room was jammed with dignitaries, and as torches flickered, the same questions were again put to Luther. He began a short speech that was interrupted by his examiner, who rebuked the professor: “You must give a simple, clear, proper answer to the question: Will you recant or not?”

Luther’s reply is now famous: “Unless I can be instructed with evidence from the Holy Scriptures I cannot and will not recant.” Knowing he could be arrested or killed for his answer, he concluded, “Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen.”

It was a defining moment in history, but not for reasons we often might think. Luther is rightly honored today as the man who rediscovered grace and faith and the authority of Scripture. But it took more than faith or theological insight to make the Reformation. At just the right moment, it took a dash of courage.

—Mark Galli