Martin Luther on Women & Other Controversial Stuff: Reformation Blog #2
In just two more weeks, Chip and I will be heading to Germany. Chip calls this our Luther Pilgrimage. For me, I'm thinking of it as 1/3 scholastic immersion trip, 1/3 worship opportunity, and 1/3 2nd Honeymoon. Either way, we are hoping for a good time!
We are attending a conference and taking tours to teach us more about Luther’s life and roll in the protestant reformation. So, as we looked over our itinerary and I hoped to plan which plenary sessions to attend, I was really surprised when I realized that out of 32 scheduled speakers, only one of them was a female. Chip jokingly suggested that perhaps the leaders of the Luther: Wittenberg 2017 Congress were trying to make the speaking sessions similar to what they might have been like in 1517. I laughed but it was a sad laugh. His comment was insightful and disturbing.
We non-Catholics are celebrating 500 years of reform this year. Of all of the Protestant groups celebrating the Reformation this year, wouldn't the "Billion-Soul Network" - "Full-Gospel" / "Charismatic-Evangelical" / "Holiness-Pentecostal" group be the one to believe and suggest that it has made the most strides of all? Don't we pride ourselves on being the ones who have ridden all of the waves of the great awakenings and revivals of the last few centuries? Aren't we the ones who are convinced that we are now poised and ready to be part of another great awakening? Wasn't it the Holiness-Pentecostal movement of the nineteenth and twentieth century that really helped to advance women in ministry? That is the story we hear echoed in our own institutions and read in all types of church history books. Yet, as our arm of Protestantism returns to Wittenberg 500 years after Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the chapel door, we will celebrate those five hundred years and look towards the future with 31 men and 1 woman representing us as a people. I doubt the exclusion of women was intentional during planning but I think the fact that it seems to have gone unnoticed or that it was noticed but dismissed probably deserves some consideration.
The truth be told, Chip is right. Luther and all the other reformers would probably roll over in their graves at the thought of me studying to be an ordained minister. Regardless of how much Luther respected the theological depth of his wife Katherine (a former nun), he would have never imagined her being fit to serve the church in such a capacity. History tells us that she was an intelligent companion who was able to provide stimulating input to the theological debates around their dinner table. He affectionately called her, "Dr. Katie" due to her capacity to understand scripture, entertain countless guests, instruct others, and run a tight ship. He received her reprimands and instruction when she pointed out that he was letting his emotions run amok. However, regardless of how highly he esteemed her, Luther was also known to say some pretty derogatory and condescending things about women. Consider these quotes, for example:
We are attending a conference and taking tours to teach us more about Luther’s life and roll in the protestant reformation. So, as we looked over our itinerary and I hoped to plan which plenary sessions to attend, I was really surprised when I realized that out of 32 scheduled speakers, only one of them was a female. Chip jokingly suggested that perhaps the leaders of the Luther: Wittenberg 2017 Congress were trying to make the speaking sessions similar to what they might have been like in 1517. I laughed but it was a sad laugh. His comment was insightful and disturbing.
We non-Catholics are celebrating 500 years of reform this year. Of all of the Protestant groups celebrating the Reformation this year, wouldn't the "Billion-Soul Network" - "Full-Gospel" / "Charismatic-Evangelical" / "Holiness-Pentecostal" group be the one to believe and suggest that it has made the most strides of all? Don't we pride ourselves on being the ones who have ridden all of the waves of the great awakenings and revivals of the last few centuries? Aren't we the ones who are convinced that we are now poised and ready to be part of another great awakening? Wasn't it the Holiness-Pentecostal movement of the nineteenth and twentieth century that really helped to advance women in ministry? That is the story we hear echoed in our own institutions and read in all types of church history books. Yet, as our arm of Protestantism returns to Wittenberg 500 years after Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the chapel door, we will celebrate those five hundred years and look towards the future with 31 men and 1 woman representing us as a people. I doubt the exclusion of women was intentional during planning but I think the fact that it seems to have gone unnoticed or that it was noticed but dismissed probably deserves some consideration.
The truth be told, Chip is right. Luther and all the other reformers would probably roll over in their graves at the thought of me studying to be an ordained minister. Regardless of how much Luther respected the theological depth of his wife Katherine (a former nun), he would have never imagined her being fit to serve the church in such a capacity. History tells us that she was an intelligent companion who was able to provide stimulating input to the theological debates around their dinner table. He affectionately called her, "Dr. Katie" due to her capacity to understand scripture, entertain countless guests, instruct others, and run a tight ship. He received her reprimands and instruction when she pointed out that he was letting his emotions run amok. However, regardless of how highly he esteemed her, Luther was also known to say some pretty derogatory and condescending things about women. Consider these quotes, for example:
- The word and works of God is quite clear, that women were made either to be wives or prostitutes. –Martin Luther, Reformer (1483-1546), Works 12.94
- No gown worse becomes a woman than the desire to be wise. –Martin Luther, Reformer (1483-1546)
- Men have broad and large chests, and small narrow hips, and more understanding than women, who have but small and narrow breasts, and broad hips, to the end they should remain at home, sit still, keep house, and bear and bring up children. –Martin Luther, Reformer (1483-1546), Table Talk
- If a woman becomes weary and at last dead from bearing, that matters not; let her only die from bearing, she is there to do it. - Martin Luther, Reformer (1483-1546)
To say Luther's view of women was complicated is a gross understatement. This short video of Herman Selderhuis gives a glimpse into Luther's complicated perspective. Selderhuis is the author of Martin Luther: A Spiritual Biography.
https://www.crossway.org/articles/martin-luthers-controversial-view-of-women/
Luther would also disagree with much more of what those of us within Holiness-Pentecostal and other charismatic-evangelical traditions hold to be truths. Luther believed that the true presence of Christ was in the Eucharist. We believe that the bread and the wine/juice are symbolic of the body and blood of Christ. Luther believed in infant baptism. Most of us believe in believer's baptism. Luther became exceptionally upset when three men proclaiming to have prophetic knowledge came into Wittenberg claiming to have a word from God. Many of us believe in, embrace and even seek for "Rhema words." Luther loved beer. His wife brewed and sold it to supplement their income since she was their primary breadwinner. It has been suggested that Protestants begin worship late on Sunday mornings because Luther often had a hangover from drinking so much on Saturday nights. Other historians say that he enjoyed alcohol but was not a drunkard. Most of us, of course, believe it is best to completely abstain from intoxicants and some of us believe that to imbibe at all is a sin.
Luther said and did a lot of things that make me uncomfortable. He encouraged government officials to kill unruly rebellious peasants who had taken his doctrine of freedom in Christ so far as to believe and demand to be treated equally. He gave in to the prevailing belief that it was acceptable to drown people who taught that a second baptism was acceptable for those who had been baptized as infants but had truly embraced their faith as adults. He promoted the idea of rounding up children and forcing them to sit through catechetical instruction on Bible facts and Lutheran theology. He had a pride issue and at times he seemed more interested in building walls than bridges. Luther could be crass. He was stubborn and he was arrogant.
All of these things about Luther disturb me. The truth is that he would probably have much disdain for someone like me. However, there is much that I also appreciate about Luther. I appreciate that he managed to work out his own salvation with fear and trembling instead of just accepting what everyone told him to believe. I appreciate that he came to respect the Bible as a greater authority than the questionable traditions and habits of men. I appreciate that he translated the Bible into the language of the common people so that they could read it for themselves. I appreciate that he introduced congregational hymns to the church. I appreciate that from Luther we gained the theological perspective of being able to receive salvation by grace through faith and not of works. I appreciate that from Luther (and other reformers) we received pastors and preaching and pastor's wives and the very idea of blessing what goes on within family circles. I appreciate that Luther valued providing both boys and girls with theological training and that he considered all types of education to be of value. I appreciate his willingness to face "the machine" of religion during his day and refuse to accept what he saw. I appreciate him taking a stand against what the Catholic church had become in his time - for stating the truth - that they were exploiting people for their money and blatantly disregarding and disrespecting the heart of scripture on a number of matters.
So, much like Luther's view on women was complicated, my view of Luther is also complicated. I cannot say that I truly esteem him but I do appreciate much of what he brought to the table. As I prepare to go to Wittenberg 500 years since Luther came on the scene, I just have to wonder if there really is room for me at that table.
Note: I will be keeping a blog for this trip. Details for what to expect here: http://luther2017.tv Please subscribe if you would like to follow along. I promise to take as many pictures as possible!
https://www.crossway.org/articles/martin-luthers-controversial-view-of-women/
Luther would also disagree with much more of what those of us within Holiness-Pentecostal and other charismatic-evangelical traditions hold to be truths. Luther believed that the true presence of Christ was in the Eucharist. We believe that the bread and the wine/juice are symbolic of the body and blood of Christ. Luther believed in infant baptism. Most of us believe in believer's baptism. Luther became exceptionally upset when three men proclaiming to have prophetic knowledge came into Wittenberg claiming to have a word from God. Many of us believe in, embrace and even seek for "Rhema words." Luther loved beer. His wife brewed and sold it to supplement their income since she was their primary breadwinner. It has been suggested that Protestants begin worship late on Sunday mornings because Luther often had a hangover from drinking so much on Saturday nights. Other historians say that he enjoyed alcohol but was not a drunkard. Most of us, of course, believe it is best to completely abstain from intoxicants and some of us believe that to imbibe at all is a sin.
Luther said and did a lot of things that make me uncomfortable. He encouraged government officials to kill unruly rebellious peasants who had taken his doctrine of freedom in Christ so far as to believe and demand to be treated equally. He gave in to the prevailing belief that it was acceptable to drown people who taught that a second baptism was acceptable for those who had been baptized as infants but had truly embraced their faith as adults. He promoted the idea of rounding up children and forcing them to sit through catechetical instruction on Bible facts and Lutheran theology. He had a pride issue and at times he seemed more interested in building walls than bridges. Luther could be crass. He was stubborn and he was arrogant.
All of these things about Luther disturb me. The truth is that he would probably have much disdain for someone like me. However, there is much that I also appreciate about Luther. I appreciate that he managed to work out his own salvation with fear and trembling instead of just accepting what everyone told him to believe. I appreciate that he came to respect the Bible as a greater authority than the questionable traditions and habits of men. I appreciate that he translated the Bible into the language of the common people so that they could read it for themselves. I appreciate that he introduced congregational hymns to the church. I appreciate that from Luther we gained the theological perspective of being able to receive salvation by grace through faith and not of works. I appreciate that from Luther (and other reformers) we received pastors and preaching and pastor's wives and the very idea of blessing what goes on within family circles. I appreciate that Luther valued providing both boys and girls with theological training and that he considered all types of education to be of value. I appreciate his willingness to face "the machine" of religion during his day and refuse to accept what he saw. I appreciate him taking a stand against what the Catholic church had become in his time - for stating the truth - that they were exploiting people for their money and blatantly disregarding and disrespecting the heart of scripture on a number of matters.
So, much like Luther's view on women was complicated, my view of Luther is also complicated. I cannot say that I truly esteem him but I do appreciate much of what he brought to the table. As I prepare to go to Wittenberg 500 years since Luther came on the scene, I just have to wonder if there really is room for me at that table.
Martin & Katie
Note: I will be keeping a blog for this trip. Details for what to expect here: http://luther2017.tv Please subscribe if you would like to follow along. I promise to take as many pictures as possible!
