Martin Luther (1483-1546)
Martin Luther was born November 10, 1483. On this anniversary of his birth enjoy these reflections of John Piper on Luther’s life and work.
If you are interested in reading one of Luther’s works, I would recommend starting with Bondage of the Will.
My favorite biography of Luther is Luther: The Reformer by James M. Kittelson. I’ve also profited from reading Roland Bainton and Heiko Oberman’s biographies.
Martin Luther exhorted ministers of the word:
“Some pastors and preachers are lazy and no good. They do not pray; they do not read; they do not search the Scripture … The call is: watch, study attend to reading. In truth you cannot read too much in Scripture; and what you read you cannot read too carefully, and what you read carefully you cannot understand too well, and what you understand well you cannot teach too well, and what you teach well you cannot live too well … The devil … the world … and our flesh are raging and raving against us. Therefore, dear sirs and brothers, pastors and preachers, pray, read, study, be diligent … This evil, shameful time is not the season for being lazy, for sleeping and snoring.” (cited by John Piper in the link above)
Five centuries later his words remain timely.
