On April 16, 1521, Martin Luther arrived in a German city called Worms for an appearance before the emperor, Charles V. The emperor had summoned him to defend his public teaching against accusations of heresy by the Roman Catholic church.
On April 17, in the presence of the emperor, a representative of the Roman Catholic hierarchy opened the hearing by reading the titles of a large pile of Luther's books and asking him whether the books were his. Luther answered, "Yes, the books are mine." When asked, "Will you retract the doctrines in these books?" Luther answered cautiously, saying, "It would be rash and dangerous to reply to such a question until I have meditated on it in silence and retreat." The questioner told Luther to come back the next day at the same time with his answer.
The next day, April 18, Luther entered a larger hall that was filled to overflowing. The Roman Catholic representative demanded, "Explain yourself now. Will you defend all your writings, or disavow some of them?"
Luther saw an opportunity to give a speech, rather than simply giving a "yes" or "no" answer, and he took it. After he summarized the contents of his teachings and explained why he had written as he did, the questioner asked again, "Martin--answer candidly and without horns--do you or do you not repudiate your books and the errors which they contain?"
Luther replied, "'Since then your imperial majesty and your lordships demand a simple answer, I will give you one without teeth and without horns. Unless I am convicted of error by the testimony of Scripture...I cannot and will not retract, for we must never act contrary to our consciences...Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise. God help me! Amen!"
Faithful Lutherans around the world today still say the same thing. Our consciences are bound by the Word of God. When the Bible speaks clearly, we also speak clearly, regardless of how strongly the world condemns that testimony.
We cannot do otherwise. God help us!
By Rev. Paul Prange
WELS
www.wels.net
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