"Whatever man loves, that is his god. For he carries it in his heart; he goes about with it night and day; he sleeps and wakes with it, be it what it may wealth or self, pleasure or renown." ~ Martin Luther
Religious reformer Martin Luther (1483-1546) was born on this day in Germany. His criticisms of the Catholic Church led to the Protestant Reformation.
"If you want to change the world, pick up your pen," he eloquently said and became a university teacher and monk.
In 1517, Luther wrote 95 Theses, or arguments, to protest the Church's practice of selling indulgences, which guaranteed God's forgiveness of sins for the dead. He nailed the document of complaints on the door of the Wittenberg Palace Church. Luther believed that priests had no special power and urged followers to reject what he called "the corrupt" Church and return to the teachings of the Bible.
"I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe," he said. "Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. Amen."
To help ordinary people understand the Bible, Luther translated the scriptures into German. His reforms spread across Europe, especially Britain, Germany, and Scandinavia.
An instrument for change, he once said, "The human heart is like a ship on a stormy sea driven about by winds blowing from all four corners of heaven."
What you love is holy.