Martin Luther,
1483-1546
Several
contributors to the Christian Science periodicals have written about Martin
Luther. A quick search on jsh-online.com reveals 611 references to that name (but of
course, some of these may be to the later Martin Luther King).
The August 24, 1957 issue of the Christian
Science Sentinel emphasizes Luther's "enormous vitality and
courage", as well as his "great humility". The writer explains
that "Luther's belief that God should be served at one's daily tasks was
responsible for his followers' abolishing monasticism. He married. Besides
preaching, he translated the Old Testament into German from the Hebrew. He is
the father of congregational singing, calling music "a fair and lovely
gift of God.""
A
more recent writer (see “A Christian Hymn” in The
Christian Science Journal July 2002) continues the musical strain,
recalling that "Martin Luther's best-known hymn is "Ein' feste Burg"
or "A mighty fortress." He wrote this "battle hymn of the
Reformation" in 1529. Luther composed both the melody and the original
words.
One
commentator says, "The hymn was used throughout Germany during the long
struggle for religious liberty."1 There are over 70 translations of the
hymn into English. The version below is from the Christian Science
Hymnal, and is a paraphrase of the original.
1 Concordance
to Christian Science Hymnal and Hymnal Notes, (Boston:
The Christian Science Publishing Society, 1975), p. 179–180.
Frederic W. Root (Based on hymn by
Martin Luther)
All
power is given unto our Lord,
On Him we place reliance;
With truth from out His sacred word
We bid our foes defiance.
With Him we shall prevail,
Whatever may assail;
He is our shield and tower,
Almighty is His power;
His kingdom is forever.
An
appealing quote appeared in the September
20, 2004 edition of the Christian Science Sentinel: "Even if I knew
that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple
tree."
Readers wishing to delve some more will be interested to read the March
1994 edition of The Christian Science Journal which features the excellent
article “Luther launches the Protestant Reformation” by Mary
Trammell (Reformation Bible scholar and then Associate Editor of the Journal)
and William Dawley (then Feature Editor of the Journal). It outshines much of
the other stuff one finds on the computer about the great man. The opening
paragraph quotes Luther: "The Bible is alive, it speaks to me; it has
feet, it runs after me; it has hands, it lays hold of me."
Joyce Voysey
On Him we place reliance;
With truth from out His sacred word
We bid our foes defiance.
With Him we shall prevail,
Whatever may assail;
He is our shield and tower,
Almighty is His power;
His kingdom is forever.
Readers wishing to delve some more will be interested to read the March 1994 edition of The Christian Science Journal which features the excellent article “Luther launches the Protestant Reformation” by Mary Trammell (Reformation Bible scholar and then Associate Editor of the Journal) and William Dawley (then Feature Editor of the Journal). It outshines much of the other stuff one finds on the computer about the great man. The opening paragraph quotes Luther: "The Bible is alive, it speaks to me; it has feet, it runs after me; it has hands, it lays hold of me."
