In the footsteps of Luther

Walking in the footsteps of Martin Luther in Germany was an eye-opening and life-changing experience for me.

I was privileged to have this opportunity as part of a two-week study tour with a group of 30 Australian students, pastors and church workers, along with some friends and family, in July this year.

Our tour was hosted by Mission EineWelt (One World), the mission arm of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria, which is based in Neuendettelsau. It was a real blessing to hear about the work of Mission EineWelt and worship with people from all over the world.

The visit brought the reformer to life for me and there were many highlights: staying in the monastery in Erfurt where Luther was a monk; standing in the rooms in the Lutherhaus in Wittenberg where he and his family lived and ‘table talk’ happened; learning about Katharina his wife and the part she played in his story; seeing the castle church where he nailed the 95 theses; being inspired in Wartburg castle where he translated the New Testament while he was in hiding; and sitting at his desk at Vesta Coburg fortress where he stayed, very ill, while others made their stand at Augsburg.

The biggest highlight, though, was travelling, sharing and experiencing it all with a wonderful group of fellow Lutherans.

Here are some of their comments:

‘Despite being educated in a Lutheran secondary school, before this trip I had no understanding of the far-reaching effects of Luther. His God-led insights and actions changed the world forever. Wow!’

‘I learnt so much about the Reformation, but more so it gave me a deeper understanding of our faith and of our Lutheran history.’

‘He [Luther] was the catalyst for social reform as well as spiritual reform.’

‘I was amazed at the broader impact that Luther’s life and the Reformation had on the German language, the use of printing, the growth in the spread of education and his focus on the poor and uneducated. Also how God opened doors to make it happen.’

‘Others had been a precursor to Luther, but the time was not yet right. God used the development of the printing press, the protection by Frederick the Wise, Katharina’s support and more to aid Luther.’

‘I learnt that the 95 theses was a discussion paper, not a “protest”.’

‘His struggle with grace and forgiveness was as real as our struggle with grace is.’

‘He was a radical man, but showed how Jesus’ grace and mercy is for us all.’

‘His desire to show Christ to everyday people by translating the Bible into everyday German along with the timely development of the printing press was hugely significant. “By grace through faith.” I give thanks to God that because of Luther I have learnt that I can live in the freedom of the gospel.’

Verena Johnson is a lay worker formation officer for LCA Lay Ministry. The study tour was jointly organised by Australian Lutheran College and the LCA Board for Lay Ministry, and participants paid their own travel expenses.

This feature story comes from The Lutheran October 2016. Visit the website to find out more about The Lutheran or to subscribe.