I began this series in Hebrews 12, where the author reminds us that we’re surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (Heb 12:1). These witnesses—the heroes of faith from Hebrews 11—motivate us to endure in our own race of faith. Their stories, though distant, still speak to us today. But it’s important to remember none of them were perfect. We often forget this, expecting the “good guys” of history to always be good, and the “bad guys” to always be bad. The reality, though, is far more complex.

Take Augustine, for example. People ask how he could have such a deep understanding of human depravity and God’s sovereignty, yet still have major blind spots. The answer? He wasn’t perfect, just like any of us. And today, as we look at Martin Luther, the same truth applies. Luther wasn’t flawless. His journey of faith wasn’t marked by one lightbulb moment but by a series of steps, missteps, and corrections. 

October 31st is Reformation Day, commemorating Luther’s posting of his Ninety-five Theses on October 31, 1517. We often imagine him as a radical reformer ready to take on the Catholic Church. But in truth, Luther was initially quite conservative. His intent wasn’t to spark a revolution, but to provoke academic debate, hoping the church would return to its own foundational principles.

Luther’s early life was shaped by his concern for his soul’s salvation. He joined a strict Augustinian monastery in the hope that it would offer the best path to heaven. But no matter how hard he tried to live righteously, he felt the weight of his sin and the impossibility of satisfying God’s demands. Through intense study—particularly of Psalms, Romans, Galatians, and Hebrews—Luther began to see that salvation wasn’t about our own righteousness. Instead, it was about the righteousness God gives us through faith in Christ.

Luther’s realization that “the righteous shall live by faith” was life-changing (Ro 1:17). It wasn’t about striving harder, but about trusting completely in God’s grace. This conviction, along with his growing doubts about church authority, led him to challenge the church in ways he hadn’t initially planned.

By the time Luther was summoned to the Diet of Worms in 1521, his teachings had gained widespread attention. Despite the immense pressure to recant, he famously declared, “Here I stand; I can do no other. God help me. Amen.” Luther’s courage and commitment to Scripture laid the groundwork for the Protestant Reformation, changing the course of history.

While we could critique Luther’s flaws, his impact on Christianity is undeniable. Through him, God led many out of legalism and back to the liberating truth of grace. Even in his imperfections, Luther stands as a testament to the power of God’s work through flawed but faithful people.

Recommended reading

1. Here I Stand by Roland Bainton
2. The Bondage of the Will by Martin Luther
3. Martin Luther by Martin E. Marty

Thanks for listening. Visit JeremySarber.com for full transcripts of the podcast as well as additional resources. 

All glory be to Christ.

Support the show