Chapter Study Questions

1. This chapter covers the time from Luther’s birth in 1483 to the final bull excommunicating him from the church, issued by the pope in 1520.

2. As an illustration of the potential power of consecrated youth, note that at fourteen Luther entered Magdeburg; at eighteen he began studies at Erfurth; at twenty he discovered the Latin Bible. He was twenty-two when he entered the monastery, and he was ordained priest at twenty-four. The following year he was called as a professor to the university. He began to preach at twenty-six. His memorable journey to Rome was made at the age of twenty-seven. He was thirty-five when he made public his ninety-five theses against indul -gences. Two years later he was excommunicated.

3. What were the commendable parts and the questionable parts of Luther’s training as a boy (120:3–121:1)?

4. In analyzing the personal characteristics that marked Luther, memorize the second sentence of the chapter, and note 121:3–123:1.

5. As in the case of Saul, the persecutor, so with Luther—their extremely conscientious zeal while in error made them powerful in the service of God Photo by ben o’bro on Unsplash.Luther’s Separation from Romewhen the light shined into their souls. Trace the gradual enlightenment of Luther’s mind (cf. Phil. 3:5–9; Gal. 1:14; and 123:1, 2; 124:2; 128:3; 139:2; 143:1).

6. Though Luther constantly appeared in the foreground, God used others to act as wise counselors, spiritual helpers, or protectors (123:3; 134:2; 137:3; 138:3; 140:2). For an illustration of how God put men who tended to op-posite extremes to help one another in His work, see Early Writings, 224:1, 2.

7. What was Luther’s attitude toward the subject of Christian education (125:2; 132:2; 139:1; 140:5)?

8. What evidences reveal a great lay movement in behalf of the newfound truths (133:1; 139:1-3; 141:1)?

9. Wycliffe and Luther were marvelously protected in their work, while Huss and Jerome suffered martyrdom early in their careers. The death of some and the courageous lives of others equally contributed to the purposes of God. Whether or not the reformer paid with his life, he did in his heart offer himself to God for life or for death (Phil. 1:20; and 134:3; 137:3; 140:1; 141:2).

10. Even Luther was at times troubled with doubts regarding his work. How did he overcome them (143:1)? 11. What practical lessons can we learn from the conditions during Luther’s mission that parallel our own time (143:3–144:1)?