Reformation 500th Anniversary: Prof. Vernell Ingle shares Martin Luther’s narrative (a/v)

I’ve grown up hearing, across our nation, that our guest this week is a favorite preacher of many, including seasoned ministers and great men of God.

It’s my honor to collaborate with Professor Vernell Ingle (Dad and Faculty Chair) and Fiona Parker (V.P. for Student Development).  We have an opportunity to re-share one of his evergreen teachings . . . although he always “preaches” through Church History at Messenger College (MC).

Invitation to Connect (C.T.A.):

As I offered my notes last week, so Professor Ingle offers his, if you Connect at Ingle5

He says, “My notes are only in outline form.”

VI, MARTIN LUTHER – reformation.pptx | 10.31.17

On our Connect page, fill out the Drop Us a Line contact form, and ask for the notes.

Reformation 500th Anniversary: Prof. Vernell Ingle shares Martin Luther’s narrative (a/v)

Fiona Parker | Messenger College celebrates Reformation Day! | 11.21.17

• 500 years ago today there was a tremor that would begin an earth shaking movement – earthquake that would rock and change the landscape of not only the church but eventually Western Civilization itself!
• It is called the German/Protestant Reformation, October 31, 1517. 

i. The state of the Church

• 500 years ago we were all Roman Catholics – it was the church, there were no others. 
• In fact the church had become the most powerful universal force – in the high middle ages/Medieval times – there were no great nation states as yet. 

ii. Who was Martin Luther?

• Martin Luther was born in November 10, 1483 
• His father was free peasant stock but became somewhat wealthy from the copper mines. 
• His parents were strict disciplinarians which, implanted in Martin a strong will, a love of hard work and a highly disciplined life. 
• He was sent to the best schools and the University of Erfurt where he studied philosophy, Latin. His father wanted him to become a lawyer.
• He was not inclined to become a lawyer for something was already stirring in his soul. After receiving his BA in 1505. One night while walking in a severe thunderstorm he was knocked to the ground and it is said that he cried out to St. Anne, “St. Anne help me! I will become a monk.” St. Anne was the legendary mother of Mary and the patron saint of miners and his father. 
• Within two weeks Martin Luther entered a monastery and in 1507 was ordained. 

iii. Luther’s wrestling match

• He wrestled spiritually and physically – body and soul. He pushed his body to health – cracking rigors – he would fast for 3 days – slept without a blanket during the winter months and would struggle in prayer and confession of his sins for hours at a time. 
• His first mass he said, “I was utterly stupefied and terror-stricken. I thought to myself, ‘Who am I that I should lift up mine eyes or raise my hands to the divine majesty? For I am dust and ashes and full of sin, and I am speaking to the living, eternal and true God.’”

iv. The light dawns

• Luther transferred to the University of Wittenburg in 1511 as a Professor of the Bible and earned his doctorate. 
• He was a lecturer and gained a loyal band of followers.
• Between 1515 and 1519 while preparing his lessons, he finally found the peace of soul that he could not find in all of his acts of asceticism.
• Romans 1:17 – His struggle came to an end in studying the Book of Romans. This text struck a cord in his heart and turned on the light when he read it, “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’”
• This convinced him finally that only faith in Jesus Christ could make him just before God. It dawned on him that righteousness is a gift of God through Christ. 
• Luther had to come to his famous doctrine of justification by faith alone.

v. Luther nails it!

• On this day October 31, 1517 – Luther’s soul was so stirred he himself or had someone do it for him, nailed 95 Thesis or (bullet points) to the Wittenberg door (a public bulletin board announcing events or other activities/notices) – which invited scholars to come and debate these issues.
• Johann Tetzel – was the salesman who came to the vicinity of Wittenberg selling his indulgences for which he even had a jingle – you could also pay to have your departed loved ones who were in purgatory waiting to admitted into heaven because they were not quite righteous enough – “As soon as the gold in the casket rings; the rescued soul to heaven springs!” Just like a commercial.
• Well that was the straw the broke the camel’s back and Luther responded with the 95 thesis! 

Admittedly, to wrap up the outline now may be more of a cliffhanger than an invitation or CTA

There is more to Luther’s narrative, available in this teaching and in Professor Ingle’s notes.  On this post, we’ve only shared a few snippets, of his three page outline.

Honestly, he doesn’t always make his notes available, so this is a unique offer.  So take a moment to view our Connect page on Ingle5, scroll down, and Drop Us a Line for the compete set of notes (in .pdf format).

You can also request my notes from Reformation 500th Anniversary: Ideals of the Magisterial Reformers.

The Father may be utilizing the Reformation 500th Anniversary as a catalyst for Protestant celebrations, and for a greater ecumenicism.  May our Lord continue to raise up voices like Luther, led by the Spirit, who speak to His church in this age!