Tuesday after the Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost
Martin Luther’s Birthday
November 10, 2009
The Lord be with you
Martin Luther was born November 10, 1483 to Hans and Margareth in Eisleben, Germany. He is considered the Father of Protestantism and the founder of Lutheranism. He was one of the most influential men of history and, to be honest, you cannot understand the world we live in without having some understanding of Luther’s influence.
One way to measure a person’s influence is by noting how much has been written about them. In the case of Martin Luther, no one has had more written about him except our Lord Jesus. Of course much of what has been written about him is in foreign languages. In the English language he drops to number three, preceded by Jesus (again number 1) and Abraham Lincoln.
One little known fact about Luther is that he was the first person in history who could be readily recognized by the masses who had never met him. That was because of the printing press and woodcuts. The Reformation was a media sensation, being carried by the new invention of printing with movable type. Luther was a writing machine and everything he wrote sold. Many of these tracts, pamphlets and books had woodcut representations of Martin Luther. Through this medium his face became known far and wide.
On this day we give thanks for Martin Luther, the Father of the Reformation.
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor John Rickert
Martin Luther’s Birthday
November 10, 2009
The Lord be with you
Martin Luther was born November 10, 1483 to Hans and Margareth in Eisleben, Germany. He is considered the Father of Protestantism and the founder of Lutheranism. He was one of the most influential men of history and, to be honest, you cannot understand the world we live in without having some understanding of Luther’s influence.
One way to measure a person’s influence is by noting how much has been written about them. In the case of Martin Luther, no one has had more written about him except our Lord Jesus. Of course much of what has been written about him is in foreign languages. In the English language he drops to number three, preceded by Jesus (again number 1) and Abraham Lincoln.
One little known fact about Luther is that he was the first person in history who could be readily recognized by the masses who had never met him. That was because of the printing press and woodcuts. The Reformation was a media sensation, being carried by the new invention of printing with movable type. Luther was a writing machine and everything he wrote sold. Many of these tracts, pamphlets and books had woodcut representations of Martin Luther. Through this medium his face became known far and wide.
On this day we give thanks for Martin Luther, the Father of the Reformation.
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor John Rickert
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