Comment: Martin Luther exhibit celebrates one of history's most influential men

by Chris Brunjes

A portrait of Martin Luther, by Lucas Cranach.

The exhibit is a celebration and study of one of history's most influential men. Renowned throughout the world for initiating the Reformation -- albeit unintentionally -- Luther is the ultimate proof that there is nothing more dangerous than an idea whose time has come. He destroyed the primacy of the Catholic church. He was perhaps the first to successfully use German nationalism as a weapon. And yet his teachings were not particularly original. There were many before Luther who said what he said, like Hus and Wyclif. But Luther is one of the few men who have a Christian denomination named after him.

Luther was brilliant, zealous, and he should probably share the title of history's most stubborn man with Sir Thomas More. But more than anything else, Luther had impeccable timing.

Luther succeeded because he was underestimated -- after Luther posted his 95 theses, Pope Leo allegedly said "Luther is a drunken German. He will feel different when he is sober" -- and because he had the support of a very powerful man: Frederick the Wise, elector of Saxony.

Frederick is one of history's unjustly neglected men. Luther would probably have been burned at the stake long before he changed the world if it were not for Frederick. In 1519 the Holy Roman Emperor died, and Frederick was the papacy's candidate for the throne. Luther was a professor at the university of Wittenberg, which Frederick founded. The papacy hesitated in condemning Luther; they needed to conciliate Frederick. By the time the Pope got around to saying he was wrong several years later, Luther had mustered too much support, and could not be stopped. (It is, of course, far more complicated than that -- and the exhibit does well to detail the ins and outs of the politics surrounding Luther's revolution).

This page is from an early edition of the German Bible translation done by Martin Luther.

The exhibit celebrates Luther's remarkable life, but it also details the all-shook-up era in which he lived. The display features over 100 books, manuscripts, illustrations, paintings and documents, including the first Bible printed by Johann Gutenberg, inventor of the printing press, illustrations by the renowned medieval German artist Albrecht Durer, prints by Lucas Cranach, and manuscripts by Luther. It includes Frederick the Wise's private prayer book and coat of arms, as well as woodcuts and models of Wittenberg.

Of course, Luther is famous for his attack on indulgences, and the exhibit deals with this, too. His 95 theses are there, as well as several sermons on the topic. Items relating to the famous Diet of Worms, where Luther argued his case in front of papal envoys and the Emperor, and where he was ultimately branded a heretic, are included in the exhibit as well.

But just as important are the items relating to Luther's home life, which give detail to his wife and family. His wife's wedding ring is included in the exhibit, as well as pieces and views from his home.

Winnipeg pastor Tom Lurvey puts the exhibit into perspective: "Even as we Lutheran Christians gather to strengthen our relationships around the globe and our shared ministry of healing in this broken world, it's good to be reminded of the heart of our faith. That's what Luther did for the church in the 16th century and continues to do for the church today: point us to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

"In 1517, as much of the church leadership was caught up in accumulating worldly power and wealth and had forgotten Jesus' ministry of sharing the good news of God's free gift of forgiveness and salvation and life, Luther published his now famous 95 theses against the abuses in the church. One of the theses said this: 'The true treasure of the church is the most holy gospel of the glory and grace of God.'

"Luther was captivated by the Word of God. 'The Word alone' became one of the rallying cries of the Reformation. When he, already excommunicated and condemned a heretic for his stand against the abuses of the church, was brought for trial before the Imperial Diet in Worms, Germany, he was asked to recant his teachings. Luther replied, 'Unless I am convinced by scripture and plain reason . . . I cannot and I will not recant, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen.'"

The pieces of the exhibit are high-quality replicas on loan from the Luther Centre in Wittenberg.