Was Martin Luther really a champion of religious tolerance? In this powerful video, Catholic apologist and author Dave Armstrong takes a closer look at the lesser-known historical record of Martin Luther’s views on heresy, dissent, and capital punishment. While many Protestants today are unaware of these facts, Luther did, in fact, support the execution of Anabaptists, witches, and even dissenters on matters of doctrine and morality. Drawing directly from Luther’s own writings—including Luther’s Works, Table Talk, and the biographical analysis of Roland Bainton—Dave lays out clear evidence that the Protestant Reformer advocated the death penalty for theological dissent, including those who rejected infant baptism, denied the Real Presence, or promoted adult-only baptism. This video is not a hit piece, but an honest look at Christian history—one that includes uncomfortable truths Protestants rarely hear.
- What Martin Luther really said about heretics
- Documented executions supported by Luther and Melanchthon
- The use of torture and capital punishment in Saxony
- Why history demands integrity—even when it’s difficult
If you’ve ever been told that the Catholic Church has a dark past (it does!)—but never heard the full story about Protestant persecution of fellow Christians, this video is for you.
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DAVE’S RELATED BLOGS ON LUTHER
Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther, Roland Bainton, New York: Mentor, 1950, see pages 376-378.
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“Luther Favored Execution of Heretics (vs. Jordan Cooper)”
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DAVE’S BOOKS ON LUTHER
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ADDITIONAL VIDEOS ON LUTHER AT LUX VERITATIS:
[to be added soon]
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Photo Credit: copyright Lux Veritatis, 2025
Summary: Documentary posted at the YouTube channel, Lux Veritatis, from Dave Armstrong and Kenny Burchard, documenting Martin Luther’s espousal of the death penalty for “heresy.”
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