MARTIN LUTHER QUOTES
German friar, priest and professor of theology (1483-1546)
I know that a Christian should be humble, but against the Pope I am going to be proud and say to him: "You, Pope, I will not have you for my boss, for I am sure that my doctrine is divine."
MARTIN LUTHER
Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians
I cannot forbid a person to marry several wives, for it does not contradict Scripture.
MARTIN LUTHER
letter to Chancellor Gregory Brück, January 13, 1524
The mad mob does not ask how it could be better, only that it be different. And when it then becomes worse, it must change again. Thus they get bees for flies, and at last hornets for bees.
MARTIN LUTHER
Whether Soldiers Can Also Be in a State of Grace
Whoever does not accept my teaching may not be saved -- for it is God's teaching and not mine.
MARTIN LUTHER
Against the Spiritual Estate of the Pope and the Bishops Falsely So Called, July 1522
In the bonds of Death He lay
Who for our offence was slain;
But the Lord is risen to-day,
Christ hath brought us life again,
Wherefore let us all rejoice,
Singing loud, with cheerful voice,
Hallelujah!
MARTIN LUTHER
"In the Bonds of Death He Lay"
The universities only ought to turn out men who are experts in the Holy Scriptures, men who can become bishops and priests, and stand in the front line against heretics, the devil, and all the world. But where do you find that?
MARTIN LUTHER
To the Christian Nobility of the German States
We do not become righteous by doing righteous deed but, having been made righteous, we do righteous deeds.
MARTIN LUTHER
"Disputation against Scholastic Theology"
A lie is like a snow-ball; the longer it is rolled, the larger it is.
MARTIN LUTHER
Watchwords for the Warfare of Life
Some will object that the Law is divine and holy. Let it be divine and holy. The Law has no right to tell me that I must be justified by it.
MARTIN LUTHER
Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians
Truly speech has wonderful strength and power, that through a mere word, proceeding out of the mouth of a poor human creature, the devil, that so proud and powerful spirit, should be driven away, shamed and confounded.
MARTIN LUTHER
"Of God's Word", Table Talk
The Clergy is the greatest hindrance to faith.
MARTIN LUTHER
Table Talk
Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust either in the pope or in councils alone, since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. May God help me. Amen.
MARTIN LUTHER
statement in defense of his writings at the Diet of Worms, April 19, 1521
All creatures are merely veils under which God hides Himself and deals with us.
MARTIN LUTHER
Watchwords for the Warfare of Life
He who knoweth and understandeth Christ's life, knoweth and understandeth Christ Himself; and in like manner, he who understandeth not His life, doth not understand Christ Himself. And he who believeth on Christ, believeth that His life is the best and noblest life that can be, and if a man believe not this, neither doth he believe on Christ Himself.
MARTIN LUTHER
The Theologia Germanica
Leave the ass burdened with laws behind in the valley. But your conscience, let it ascend with Isaac into the mountain.
MARTIN LUTHER
Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians
Faith is a living, bold trust in God's grace, so certain of God's favor that it would risk death a thousand times trusting in it. Such confidence and knowledge of God's grace makes you happy, joyful and bold in your relationship to God and all creatures.
MARTIN LUTHER
"An Introduction to St. Paul's Letter to the Romans", Dr. Martin Luthers Vermischte Deutsche Schriften
No greater mischief can happen to a Christian people, than to have God's word taken from them, or falsified, so that they no longer have it pure and clear. God grant we and our descendants be not witness to such a calamity.
MARTIN LUTHER
"Of God's Word", Table Talk
Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved.
MARTIN LUTHER
D. Martin Luther's Werke
The devil and temptations also afford us occasion to learn and understand the Scriptures, by experience and practice. Without these we should never understand them, however diligently we read and listened to them.
MARTIN LUTHER
"Of God's Word", Table Talk
A Christian has no need of any law in order to be saved, since through faith we are free from every law. Thus all the acts of a Christian are done spontaneously, out of a sense of pure liberty.
MARTIN LUTHER
The Freedom of a Christian