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Series Code: LIN
Program Code: LIN000005A
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00:18 Luther had been called to trial and he arrived in Worm
00:21 on the 15th of April, 1521. 00:24 And he caused quite a stir. 00:26 People were dying to see him 00:28 and his place of residence was constantly full of people 00:31 who wanted to spend a few moments 00:33 with this brave man 00:34 who was willing to take on the whole church 00:36 all on his own. 00:38 Luther's very appearance was a victory in itself, 00:41 for to be condemned and excommunicated, 00:44 and then be given a voice in trial 00:46 undermines the authority 00:48 of the one who excommunicated him. 00:57 It must be noted that Luther 00:58 at this stage of his life and ministry 01:01 still had no intention 01:02 of breaking away from the church. 01:04 He commented that nothing could be gained 01:06 through schism, 01:07 and he hoped to reform the church from within. 01:10 One of the key principles of the Reformation 01:13 that Luther accepted and held on to resolutely 01:15 was that the Bible was the foundation 01:18 of all Christian belief and practice. 01:20 Thus when accused of error and heresy, 01:23 he simply asked his accusers to show him from the Bible 01:26 where his error was. 01:34 As he was about to enter the room, 01:36 a few people spoke words of encouragement to him, 01:39 in particular, one Army General, 01:42 who told him that he was about to make 01:44 a more noble stand 01:45 than he and any of his captains had made on the battlefield. 01:49 He told him that if his cause was just, 01:51 and he was sure of it 01:53 to go forward in the fear of God. 02:01 At the trial, Luther was asked two things. 02:05 Firstly, were the books his, 02:07 and secondly, 02:08 when he would retract his opinions. 02:10 Luther responded and said that the books were his, 02:14 but he asked for some time 02:15 in order to craft his response 02:17 as to whether he would retract or not. 02:20 This convinced the assembly 02:21 that he was not acting from impulse 02:23 and would later give further weight 02:26 to his answers. 02:32 The next day when Luther responded, 02:35 he divided his writings into three different sections. 02:38 In the first section, he dealt with faith and works, 02:41 and even his enemies declared 02:43 that these were not only harmless, 02:45 but also beneficial. 02:47 In the second class of books, 02:49 he denounced the corruptions of the papacy 02:51 and to revoke these would strengthen 02:53 the tyranny of Rome. 02:55 And then in the third class of books, 02:56 he denounced those who defended these very evils. 03:00 While Luther admitted 03:02 that perhaps he could have been a little bit less harsh 03:05 in his responses, 03:06 even these he was not willing to retract. 03:10 At this point Luther had spoke only in German, 03:13 and he was now asked to give his response in Latin. 03:16 Despite being tired, 03:18 he was able to do this 03:19 and it gave further weight to his response, 03:22 as everyone in the chamber heard what he said 03:24 for the second time. 03:26 The spokesman now pushed him for an answer, 03:29 asking him the question, 03:31 "Will you or will you not retract?" 03:37 Standing here on this very spot, 03:40 Luther gave a response 03:42 that has become famous over the centuries, 03:44 "Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason, 03:49 for I cannot accept 03:50 the authority of popes and councils, 03:52 for they have often contradicted each other. 03:54 My conscience is captive to the Word of God. 03:58 I cannot and I will not recant anything, 04:02 for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. 04:05 Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise. 04:09 So God help me. Amen." 04:14 The assembly stood in amazement, 04:16 speechless at what they had just seen 04:19 and heard. 04:20 He was again asked if he would retract, 04:22 to which he responded, 04:24 "May God be my helper for I can retract nothing." 04:33 The courage that Luther spoke with at this trial 04:36 has inspired many people since then to stand for God 04:40 in the face of opposition and against the odds. 04:43 In Mark 13:9, the Bible tells us 04:46 that one day we may have to stand 04:48 before kings and rulers, may we be faithful to God, 04:52 that if we have to stand we will do so 04:54 with boldness and unflinching courage 04:57 in the face of trial. 05:22 Following the Diet of Worms, 05:24 Luther was still under a lot of pressure 05:26 to recant and compromise in his positions with Rome. 05:30 He was even threatened with banishment, 05:32 but he would not be moved. 05:34 He even said he would give up assurance 05:35 of a safe conduct, 05:37 but never his positions on the Word of God. 05:41 As Luther left the Worms 05:42 and travelled across the country, 05:44 he was warmly received by the German people. 05:47 But there were still many people 05:49 who wanted to kill Luther. 05:50 And the Emperor himself said 05:52 that as soon as the assurance 05:54 of a safe conduct should expire, 05:56 that measure should be taken to end Luther's work. 06:00 The Elector of Saxony, Frederick 06:03 devised the plan 06:04 with some of Luther's friends to capture him 06:07 and keep him hidden for some time. 06:14 He was taken here to Wartburg Castle, 06:16 a place kept so secret 06:17 that even the Elector Frederick 06:19 did not know that he was being kept here. 06:21 Luther's enemies rejoice 06:23 thinking that he had been defeated. 06:24 But this time for Luther 06:26 would prove to be a double blessing. 06:28 Not only did it withdraw him from the heat of the battle, 06:31 but it also took him away 06:32 from the public praise and adulation, 06:35 something that can spiritually mane 06:37 even the strongest of men. 06:43 It was here in this room that Luther stayed 06:45 through this time here in the castle. 06:47 Like the Apostle John 06:49 who wrote the Book of Revelation 06:50 as a prisoner on the Isle of Patmos. 06:52 While Luther was hiding here in this castle, 06:54 he translated into German, the New Testament. 06:58 He would translate the Old Testament later, 07:00 after his return to Wittenberg. 07:06 Another challenge the Reformation 07:07 would now appear on the horizon. 07:10 In Luther's absence 07:11 that the reformers had arisen 07:13 whose message was different to that of Luther 07:15 and it was drawing away a lot of people 07:18 and dividing the movement. 07:20 In particular, 07:21 some people thought that it was acceptable 07:23 to use violence as a means to abolish the mass 07:26 and to rise up against the oppressors. 07:29 Thomas Muntzer was a leader of this movement. 07:35 This news was relayed to Luther and he felt a deep burden 07:39 for his people back in Wittenberg 07:41 how he thought of them 07:42 as a shepherd thinks of their sheep. 07:45 Despite having no assurance of a safe conduct, 07:47 he left Wartburg Castle and headed for Wittenberg. 07:55 Luther's return caused a great stir, 07:58 and the church filled at the first opportunity 08:00 to hear him speak. 08:01 Luther stood up 08:03 and reaffirm that the mass was a bad thing 08:04 and ought to be abolished, 08:06 but that no one should be torn from it by force. 08:08 It was not their job to force the conscience of anyone, 08:11 no matter how strong they felt about the matter. 08:14 Luther was able to check this uprising for a while, 08:18 but it would arise later on with devastating results 08:21 when Thomas Muntzer himself was killed. 08:26 Every time there is a true revival, 08:29 Satan brings a false one along, 08:31 even so at the end of time, 08:32 there's going to be a true revival of godliness 08:35 and then there's going to be a false revival as well. 08:37 May we be faithful to God, 08:39 that we will be part of the true revival 08:41 that will take place at the end of time. 09:09 In 1529, 09:11 the section of Diet of Speyers convened right here. 09:15 The first was in 1526, 09:17 which gave each state 09:18 for liberty in religious affairs. 09:22 In 1529, all the German princes gathered here, 09:25 along with representatives of the church. 09:28 The church's desire was to crush out 09:30 the heresy of the Reformation, first by peaceable means, 09:34 but using full force if needed. 09:42 One thing that was proposed was a halt on conversion. 09:46 The states that sided with the Reformation 09:48 would stay that way 09:50 and the ones that did not will stay as they were. 09:52 If this edict was to be enforced, 09:54 then the Reformation could not be extended 09:57 where it was not yet known, 09:59 neither could it be established on a solid foundation 10:02 where it had started. 10:03 The key issue at stake was liberty of conscience. 10:08 As they met to discuss 10:09 what they would do with this proposal, 10:11 key issues for the world lay on the table. 10:14 Did Rome have the right to coerce conscience 10:16 and forbid free inquiry? 10:26 As they look back at the recent history, 10:28 and saw the great sacrifice 10:30 that many had made to get to this point, 10:33 and they contrasted it 10:34 with the major restriction on civil liberties 10:37 that was proposed. 10:39 The Princes said, 10:40 "Let us reject this decree in matters of conscience, 10:44 the majority has no power." 10:50 They saw the state's role 10:52 was to protect liberty of conscience, 10:54 and that this was also the limit of its role 10:58 in religious methods. 10:59 In their response, they used the word protest. 11:02 And it's from here where we get the term 11:04 Protestantism today. 11:06 But it's important for us to understand 11:08 the background of that term 11:10 to know what a Protestant truly is. 11:19 They said that the principles contained in this protest 11:23 contain the essence of Protestantism. 11:26 They opposed the abuse of man in two areas of faith. 11:31 Firstly, the intrusion of the civil magistrate 11:34 and secondly, 11:36 the arbitrary authority of the church. 11:38 Instead of this, 11:40 Protestantism puts the power of the conscience 11:43 above the civil magistrate 11:45 and the authority of God's Word 11:47 over the visible church. 11:50 They rejected civil power in divine things, 11:53 encouraging people as in the Book of Acts, 11:56 to obey God rather than men. 11:59 They understood that it was the role 12:01 of the state to protect civil liberties 12:04 and not to prescribe religious actions 12:07 to the masses. 12:12 In our day and age, there is a wide departure 12:16 from this great Protestant principle, 12:18 the Bible and the Bible only as the rule of faith and duty. 12:23 There is a need for us 12:24 to have the same unswerving adherence 12:27 to the Word of God, 12:28 as was manifested 12:30 at this crisis of the Reformation. 12:36 Has these princes buckled under pressure, 12:39 and sought to enjoy the success they had achieved thus far 12:43 in order to secure favour with the authorities, 12:46 the movement would have been destroyed. 12:48 They understood 12:50 that there were greater issues at hand, 12:51 and believers around the world 12:54 since that time have enjoyed the benefits 12:56 of their resolute stand, 12:58 while the name of Martin Luther 13:00 is well known throughout the world, 13:02 and the name of these princes is much less known, 13:05 that place in history is nonetheless vital. 13:09 May we truly understand 13:10 what it means to be a Protestant, 13:12 the authority of God's Word 13:14 and the power of the conscience in religious matters. 13:42 John Calvin was born in Noyon, near Paris 13:46 on the 10th of July. 1509. 13:49 He was thus only a child of eight years old 13:52 when Martin Luther, a man of 34 years old 13:55 nailed his famous 95 Theses 13:58 to the door of the church in Wittenberg. 14:01 Calvin did not experience the harsh 14:03 upbringing that Luther had, 14:05 but had a happy start to life, 14:07 enjoying every prospect of success 14:10 and numerous educational advantages. 14:13 At the age of 12, he was appointed 14:15 to a chaplaincy in a church in his home-town. 14:18 His head was shaved and he received a tonsure. 14:22 As he grew up, he wanted to become a priest, 14:24 and will soon noted for his intellectual ability, 14:27 his blameless life, and his religious devotion. 14:31 It was confidently anticipated 14:33 that he would grow up to become a great defender 14:35 of the Catholic Church. 14:37 Calvin had heard 14:39 of the new doctrines with a shudder, 14:41 not doubting at all that those who believe them 14:44 the heretics were worthy and deserving of the fires 14:48 to which they were often taken. 14:57 At the age of 14, 14:59 a plague hit the town where Calvin was living. 15:02 And so he moved from his town here to Paris 15:05 and studied at the University of Paris. 15:08 An interesting coincidence took place 15:10 whereby one of his fellow pupils 15:12 was a boy by the name of Ignatius Loyola. 15:16 Ignatius Loyola would grow up to found the Jesuits, 15:20 a movement very, very different 15:22 from the one that Calvin would lead later in his life. 15:25 Two pupils both outstanding 15:27 for who would both have 15:29 a vastly different impact on the world. 15:32 Calvin later on 15:33 left studying for the priesthood, 15:35 and went to study law after his father's footsteps 15:38 and after his wishes as well. 15:40 He completed his doctorate in law 15:42 at the University of Orleans, 15:44 but after the death of his father, 15:46 he would reevaluate his course and direction in life. 15:54 Calvin's cousin had joined with the reformers 15:57 and whilst in public when speaking with him, 16:00 Calvin would strongly defend the positions of the church 16:03 and reject new teachings. 16:05 When he was alone, he would ponder the words, 16:07 conviction of sin gripped him. 16:10 He saw himself without an intercessor. 16:12 Confession and penance were resorted to in vain, 16:15 but none could bring about peace. 16:21 One day he decided to visit a public square, 16:24 and he witnessed the burning of a martyr. 16:26 He was filled with wonder at the expression of peace 16:30 that was on his face. 16:31 And he contrasted this 16:33 with his own feelings of emptiness, 16:35 doubt, and darkness. 16:37 He knew that the martyrs rested their faith 16:39 on God's Word. 16:41 And so he proposed that he would study the Bible 16:43 to see if he could find the secret of their joy. 16:46 As he studied the Bible, he found Jesus Christ. 16:54 No one knows for sure 16:55 when Calvin experienced conversion, 16:58 but that he did is not open to question. 17:01 His conversion was definite enough 17:03 to cause him to relinquish all income 17:06 from church sources 17:07 and abandon any idea 17:09 of entering the legal profession. 17:11 This decision would have been costly, 17:14 causing him to give up an immense salary 17:16 and all comforts 17:18 that he was accustomed to in life. 17:24 Calvin joined a small band of Protestants 17:27 and preached the gospel 17:28 from home to home for two years. 17:31 The authorities were determined to capture him and kill him, 17:34 and they came to his place of abode. 17:36 But due to the quick thinking of some of his friends, 17:39 they detain the officers at the door 17:41 for long enough to allow others to lower him out of the window, 17:45 and he was able to flee the city. 17:51 One thing that we learned from the life of Calvin is that 17:54 no matter what you start out doing in life, 17:56 it doesn't have to be that way for the rest of your life. 17:59 He started out wanting to be a priest, 18:01 his father wanted him to be a lawyer, 18:03 he ended up doing neither of these things 18:05 and would go on to be a great reformer 18:07 who changed the face of the whole of Christendom. 18:11 Maybe you're on a course of study 18:13 that you don't really enjoy or know why you're there. 18:16 Maybe you're doing something 18:18 that your parents have imposed upon you, 18:20 and that you don't really feel is your calling. 18:23 And God may be calling you to something different. 18:26 And I want to appeal to you that if that is the case, 18:29 then follow the leading of the Lord. 18:32 You may have to change your course of study, 18:34 you may have to change your occupation. 18:36 But when you do that, that's when true satisfaction, 18:39 purpose and meaning comes in our lives. 19:06 The French Reformation in the 16th century 19:09 was not a smooth sailing. 19:11 There was strong tension and conflict 19:13 between the Protestants and Catholics. 19:15 And in the latter part of the century, 19:17 there were several wars between the two. 19:19 In the 1530s, there was growing frustration, 19:23 as they saw their dream being fulfilled 19:26 elsewhere in Germany and Switzerland, 19:28 and yet in France, they were lagging behind. 19:31 In order to advance their cause, 19:34 it was thought they needed to strike 19:35 a bold blow to Rome 19:38 and attack one of the most controversial topics, the mass. 19:42 A tract was written. 19:44 Many believe that Farel wrote it 19:46 in Switzerland, 19:47 though others say that Anton DeMarco wrote it. 19:50 The tract was entitled, "True articles on the horrible, 19:54 great and intolerable abuses of the popish mass 19:59 invented in direct opposition 20:01 to the holy supper of our Lord and only Mediator and Saviour." 20:07 The leaders of the French movement 20:09 met to discuss how to use it 20:11 and some felt it was too strong and direct 20:14 and that to use it 20:16 would cause more harm than good. 20:18 Others thought that it was okay. 20:19 And when it was taken to a vote, 20:21 it was decided to use it. 20:23 They would distribute it all over France to every city, 20:27 town and even villages. 20:28 And it was decided that on October 24, 1534, 20:33 at night, they would be posted all over France. 20:42 However, instead of advancing the reformation, 20:46 this zealous and ultimately ill judged action brought ruin 20:50 not only on those who had posted the placards, 20:53 but on the reform of Protestant faith 20:56 throughout France. 20:57 One of the placards 20:59 was posted on the King's personal chamber. 21:01 And in his rage he said, "Let all be seized 21:05 without distinction who are suspected of heresy 21:08 and I will exterminate all." 21:11 The leaders of the Roman Church have what they have longed for, 21:14 a reason to wipe out the Protestants. 21:23 Some poor adherent of the reformed faith 21:26 was seized and commanded to show the papers 21:29 or the homes of the believers in Paris, 21:32 and under the threat of death he cowardly went along 21:35 and betrayed his people. 21:38 They walk through the streets of Paris 21:40 and grabbed people from their homes, 21:42 imprisoning them before trying, torturing and killing them. 21:47 Hundreds of people fled Paris, people from all ranks of life, 21:52 university professors, princes, artisans, 21:56 and the Catholic Church was surprised to find 21:58 how many Protestants had been living in Paris 22:01 unknown to themselves. 22:08 The leading French reformers 22:10 would have to leave 22:12 finding refuge in Geneva, Switzerland, 22:14 and it was from there that they would send pastors 22:16 back into France 22:18 so that in the space of 40 years, 22:20 there were perhaps 2 million Huguenot Protestants 22:23 and 1,250 churches throughout France. 22:28 St. Bartholomew's massacre would deal another blow 22:32 to the church in France, 22:33 and again, many people would leave France. 22:36 At this persecution 22:38 and subsequent ones that would follow, 22:40 each time France would lose 22:42 their skilled tradesmen and craftsmen 22:45 suffering a brain drain 22:46 that they have caused on themselves. 22:49 The Swiss watch making industry was built largely 22:53 by French Huguenot Protestants who fled there. 23:02 One thing that we learned from this episode of history 23:05 is that it's as important 23:06 that we know when to say something, 23:09 and how to say something as it is that we say 23:11 the right thing. 23:13 Simply speaking the truth is not enough. 23:16 The placards that were posted 23:18 might not contain the truth about the mass 23:20 and correctly pointed out the erroneous beliefs, 23:23 but the way in which it was done 23:25 was ill judged and caused more harm than good. 23:29 May we be wise 23:30 in how we share the truths of God's Word, 23:33 sensitive to what others believe 23:35 and always aim to be winsome in our methods and our words. 24:09 After having to leave France, 24:12 Farel and Calvin move and work elsewhere. 24:16 Farel came here to the Geneva area. 24:18 And he had success in the villages and hamlets 24:20 that surrounded the town of Geneva. 24:22 So when he came into the city, 24:24 he was initially rejected and had to leave the city. 24:28 Another man who tried the work of reform here 24:31 was a schoolmaster by the name of Fermon 24:33 and he had some success. 24:35 Calvin also found his way to the city, 24:38 though not by design, 24:39 there was a road blockage because an army was in the road 24:42 and he had to divert and he came through Geneva. 24:46 He was planning to just pass through 24:48 but the believers implored him to stay 24:51 and assist the work of reform. 24:53 And though initially reluctant, he eventually decided to stay. 25:06 For nearly 30 years, he laboured here in Geneva. 25:11 Firstly establishing the church 25:13 that adhered to the morality of the Bible, 25:15 and then for the advancement of the Reformation 25:18 throughout Europe. 25:20 His life as a public leader was not spotless, 25:23 nor were his doctrines free from error. 25:26 But he was instrumental in advancing truths 25:29 that were of special importance 25:31 and maintaining the principles of Protestantism 25:34 against the errors of Rome. 25:45 Sometimes you can learn a lot about someone 25:48 by what the enemies say about them and their death. 25:52 Pope Pius IV said of John Calvin, 25:56 "The strength of that heretic Calvin 25:58 consisted in this, 25:59 that money never had the slightest charm for him. 26:03 If I had such servants, 26:04 my dominion would extend from sea to sea." 26:17 Calvin was a compulsive type A personality. 26:21 He never wasted a minute. 26:22 He preached five sermons a week, 26:25 and he wrote a Bible commentary 26:27 on virtually every book of the Bible. 26:29 He also wrote countless theological articles 26:32 on a wide variety of topics. 26:35 He was not lazy. 26:36 Even when he was on his deathbed, 26:38 his friends urged him to refrain from his labours. 26:41 He replied, "What? 26:43 Should the Lord come and find me idle?" 26:46 He lived a very modest life as well. 26:48 He wasn't paid a large salary, but by the utmost frugality, 26:52 he was able to save three years annual salary 26:56 that he left to his heirs when he passed away. 27:10 From Calvin's life, we learn, 27:13 he's a man who sent missionaries 27:15 throughout Europe. 27:17 He's a man who wrote books 27:18 and sent them throughout Europe. 27:20 He's a man that had an influence 27:22 far more wider reaching than just his church. 27:25 But really he started off just as a pastor 27:29 of a church in Geneva. 27:31 From small beginnings, he had a great influence. 27:35 In Luke 16:10, the Bible tells us, 27:39 "He that is faithful in that which is least 27:42 will be faithful also in that which is much." 27:45 May we be faithful wherever God has placed us, 27:49 in whatever small place or small thing it is, 27:52 that we may be faithful, 27:54 should God give us greater responsibilities 27:57 or a greater sphere of influence. |
Revised 2020-04-29