NOT Jesus

This week, our seasonal Trivent magazine came in the mail.  I noticed an interesting article on the founder of my religion - Martin Luther. 

It's golly gee great - and probably would be the exact same thing I would have written as a fifteen year-old confirmation student.  As the article included, I would have included how Martin Luther was so brave with his 95 thesis.  Like the article, I would have included the facts that his wife acted as business manager for the family and made sure ends meet.  I also dig that fact that Martin Luther worked hard to translate the bible into German - so it would be accessible to "Common Folk."

Martin Luther also said that the only way for someone to get into heaven was "Fe Sola" Faith alone is the only way to salvation. There is no way to "buy" your way into heaven -  How liberating!  Just believing made me a member of the club.


I remember bragging him up to my German friend, Petra.  And she asked me if I had ever heard of his darker side.  She didn't elaborate much - maybe she didn't want to burst my bubble...  but I was just confused and didn't press her.

I suppose I didn't start thinking about Martin Luther's dark side until I started studying the Holocaust for my Anne Frank unit last year at school when I realized how Hilter idolized him so.  Oh my - Martin Luther DID have a dark side.  Martin Luther had a plan to rid German of Jews.  Hilter put the plan into action.

I wondered what modern Lutheran churches think about Martin Luther and his anti-Semitic views.  The Thrivent article doesn't even touch it - because well, that story would be a real downer - The Missouri Synod sect of the Lutheran church publicly deplores the statements made by Luther.   While searching through the ELCA's website, I found a letter dated January 2009, from the bishop questioning the Lutheran historic amnesia in regards to Luther's Anti-Semitic views.

So now, I know a little bit more of my " hero", Martin Luther.  Part of my knows that he lived in a different time, and can not speak for his words in today's world.  And the other part of me knows that I would never pick a modern day hero who would say such horrific things about a race or another religion.  My hero has become just a guy who had some really good ideas once in a while.  And other times, well., I guess I have to act on my own faith and believe in a kind-loving God who loves all of his children - and this is my "Fe Sola"