A Word from Bob: Today’s post is Part 1 in a three-art blog mini-series on Reformation Week and the life and ministry of Martin Luther. I’ve developed this mini-series from my book Counseling Under the Cross: How Martin Luther Applied the Gospel to Daily Life. While in the US we celebrate October 31 as Halloween, Protestants around the world celebrate October 31 as Reformation Day—the day Martin Luther launched the Reformation. This is his story…and our story—the story of the joy of salvation in Christ alone.
Luther’s Rope of Hope
Luther came to believe that he could never satisfy God through himself or through the church. As Luther came to the end of his rope, God sent him a rope of hope in the form of Johann von Staupitz.
Upon his return from Rome, Luther was transferred from Erfurt to Wittenberg, In 1511, Luther was invited to be one of the new professors at the University of Wittenberg, and a very important figure entered Luther’s life—Staupitz. A decade later, in 1523, Luther expressed his eternal appreciation to Staupitz:
“It was through you that the light of the gospel first began to shine out of the darkness into my heart.”[i]
To continue...read the full-length post originally published on this site.
