Qualities for Leadership
Martin Luther has been described as strong and massive. He could not be diverted from his purpose. One of his most famous quotes, "Here stand I. I can do no other. So help me God." (Funk and Wagnalls, p. 337) has been quoted in many of the references about him. He felt strongly about his view of God and salvation through faith alone, yet he worried and questioned how he could be right when men for fifteen hundred years had a different view. This is one of his greatest strengths in that he held strong on his views, but was not foolish to believe everyone else is wrong. He sincerely strove to find answers to the questions he sought. He could inspire the common man and give him a voice. He helped strengthen German language and culture, and was seen as a hero by priests looking to reform the church, merchants, peasants, humanists and German naturalist.
Turning Points
When Martin Luther was a young man, he was riding his horse home when a bolt of lightning struck very close to him. He prayed to St. Anne, asking for safety, and in return he would become a monk. Keeping his word, he did become a monk, then a doctor of theology and professor of Biblical Studies. While studying in the monastery, he did not feel the deep comfort from God that he sought, and proclaimed that he hated God. He thought God was asking too much to get rid of his sins. But by reading Paul's writing in the Bible, he became convinced that he does not have to do anything for forgiveness of sin, except to have faith. This led to his abhorrence of the Catholic church selling indulgences for the forgiveness of sin. Another turning point was posting the 95 Theses of Catholic heresies on the castle door in Wittenburg. He would not retract his writing and became an outlaw of the King and excommunicated from the church.
Role of Failure
Because he could not find comfort in his religious study, he kept reading and studying until he could find the answers that he sought. Once he realized how much his belief would affect the church, he did only what his conscience would allow and that was to criticize the church he loved. He tirelessly debated and wrote pamphlets about his belief, yet he could not change the mind of the Pope and the church. He could, however, change the minds of the peasants, merchants and other priests interested in reform. Reaching out to those who would listen, he developed a great following. When he realized some of his followers were taking his words to the extreme and becoming violent, he was horrified. He quickly denounced the violence but then realized that the church and government were retaliating mercilessly on the peasants. He could inspire the masses, but he could not control them. He would struggle with this for the rest of his life.
2 comments:
It sound to me as if Martin Luther led a very tortured life of internal conflict. He sought to find the truth and meaning in religion, but was often disappointed and left jaded. I think we all feel that way at times when politics stand in the way of what is right and just. It seems as if this sort of thing had been going on since his time. There are many lessons that can be learned from his struggles.
I have never heard of Martin Luther, but I have heard of the Lutheran church! As a leader he had conviction and dedication. He had a belief and he did not waiver from it. He was also a great communicator in that he was able to obtain a following that was large enough to start a new religion. It is interesting to note that so many of our great leaders have had to overcome great obstacles. It is a sign of great inner strength. Thank you for enlightening me on Martin Luther!
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