January 28, 2017
Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor

On this date, January 28, 1521, Emperor Charles V opens the Diet of Worms in Worms, Germany which lasts until May 25th. Produced the “Edict of Worms” which denounced Martin Luther.

Emperor Charles V
Holy Roman Emperor

Martin Luther, one of the leaders of Protestantism, defied the Holy Roman Charles V, King of Spain  by refusing to recant his writings. He had been called to Worms, Germany, to appear before the Diet (assembly) of the Holy Roman Empire and answer charges of heresy. Martin Luther was a professor of biblical interpretation at the University of Wittenberg in Germany. In 1517, he drew up his 95 theses condemning the Catholic Church for its corrupt practice of selling “indulgences,” or forgiveness of sins. Luther followed up the revolutionary work with equally controversial and groundbreaking theological works, like On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church, and On the Freedom of a Christian, both written in 1520. In 1521, the pope excommunicated him, and he was called to appear before the emperor at the Diet of Worms to defend his beliefs. Refusing to recant or rescind his positions, Luther was declared an outlaw and a heretic. Powerful German princes protected him, however, and by his death in 1546 his ideas had significantly altered the course of Western thought.

Have you ever been asked to stand before a courtroom of your peers and defend your beliefs? Have you ever been asked, before a group of your friends, to defend your position on abortion, on the death penalty, or on your political leanings? Few people are comfortable or even like being questioned about their beliefs, their faith, or their actions when something serious is at stake. But if you have to do it in front of your peers, enemies, or even friends, well, that is a whole new level of uncomfortableness. Yet, when it comes to our faith, we profess our Creeds every Sunday without the threat of death, or excommunication, or even exile. Thanks to the courage of many leaders of the faith, like Martin Luther, like Peter, Andrew, James and John, and even Martin Luther King, Jr., we live in a world where many people can publicly profess what they believe without worrying that it might cost them their lives.

And yet, we also live in a world where many people cannot do just that. As Christians, we are called to fight for justice, equality, and freedom of expression for all people. Charles V was a defender of religion as an institutional power. Luther was a defender of faith – the faith life that is defined by the “Christ-like” life.

And when called upon to defend our faith, we should be the first to stand up and say:

“Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Holy Scriptures or by evident reason-for I can believe neither pope nor councils alone, as it is clear that they have erred repeatedly and contradicted themselves-I consider myself convicted by the testimony of Holy Scripture, which is my basis; my conscience is captive to the Word of God. Thus I cannot and will not recant, because acting against one’s conscience is neither safe nor sound. God help me. Amen.” (Martin Luther)

Are you ready?

Pastor Dave