When Lightning Struck! by Danika Cooley

Author:Danika Cooley [Cooley, Danika]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-5064-0630-5
Publisher: Fortress Press

Martin continued reading before glancing at Melanchthon. “He has also urged me to allow him to send his one hundred knights to defend me in my travels and at home. I am not offended by his offers to assist me. Doubtless this will happen unless God interposes. But I doubt not that the Lord will accomplish his purpose through me—though I am a foul sinner—or through another.”4

Melanchthon’s brow wrinkled. “Martin, what of the excommunication? Are you not concerned of the news that you will be barred from the church—and from heaven?”

Martin laughed. “The pope does not have the jurisdiction to ban me from heaven. Only Christ has that task. I will stand alone before Him alone. I have been condemned by the universities of Louvain and Cologne, and the pope’s bull is rumored to excommunicate me. We will pay no more attention to their condemnation than to the silly ravings of a drunken woman.”5

—-—

The late summer and fall of 1520 were busy for Martin. In August he wrote Address to the Christian Nobility, in which he petitioned the German princes to take the leadership of the church from Rome. He desired to see the reforms he started be instituted. Martin’s attacks on the church of Rome were becoming more pronounced. He called the pope, cardinals, and bishops “ravening wolves who come dressed in sheep’s clothing” and the pope’s officials a “crawling mass of reptiles.” Martin also stated that ordained priests were not special, but that there is a priesthood of all believers—every follower of Christ has access to the grace of God. Copies of Address to the Christian Nobility sold out in two weeks’ time.

On the 10th of October, nearly three years after Martin nailed the Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the church, he was walking through the market square when he noticed a rowdy crowd around one of the pillars supporting the covered deck used for making announcements. As Martin approached the pillar, the townspeople parted to make way for him. Taped to the post was an official bull, signed by Pope Leo X. Martin cleared his throat and in his best speaking voice, began reading aloud:

Arise, Lord, plead thine own cause. Arise and protect the vineyard thou gavest Peter from the wild boar who is devouring it. 6

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