I recently re-watched a great movie, Luther, starring Joseph Fiennes as Luther. I was a huge fan of Luther and read quite a few books on Luther and on the German Reformation.
So naturally, when this movie came out I had to watch it. My recent "view" was my fourth or fifth and it never gets old. While I am not a Luther scholar, since I've read a fair amount on Luther, it is my sense that the movie is quite accurate. I think Luther was such a dynamic character that the screen writers didn't have to invent too much stuff to make his story interesting!
There are two scenes especially, where courage is exemplified. First, when Luther stood before the Assembly of Roman authorities at the Diet of Worms (not a menu option, just referring to a meeting at the town of Worms, Germany). And when faced with excommunication and death, he uttered his famous words, "Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me." Luther knew he was signing his own death warrant with these courageous words.
Then, right at the end of the movie, the German Princes take their stand at Augsburg and refuse to give into the demands of the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, for them to give allegiance to the Roman Catholic Church. These men, young and old, said they would not and that they would rather die first. One by one they knelt bowed their head in submission to death by beheading.
Of course Charles V caved in to their courage and the Augsburg Confession was produced. Read here for more on the Augsburg Confession.
These stories of courage are astonishing. For in the West, we live in a time when spiritual and moral courage like that is waning. The steel of courge is no longer so strong in the metal of our character.
Can you imagine yourself being that devoted to the cause of Christ that you are willing to die, to offer your very life as a stance?
Wow!
It has launched some reflections and searching on my own level of courage.
Brian Rice
Leadership ConneXtions International
