Martin Luther quotes - page 8

I will first discuss images according to the Law of Moses, and then according to the gospel. And I say at the outset that according to the Law of Moses no other images are forbidden than an image of God which one worships. A crucifix, on the other hand, or any other holy image is not forbidden. Heigh now! you breakers of images, I defy you to prove the opposite! (Martin Luther)
There can be no doubt that the Virgin Mary is in heaven. How it happened we do not know. View quote
Martin Luther
I approached the task of destroying images by first tearing them out of the heart through God's Word and making them worthless and despised. This indeed took place before Dr. Karlstadt ever dreamed of destroying images. For when they are no longer in the heart, they can do no harm when seen with the eyes. But Dr. Karlstadt, who pays no attention to matters of the heart, has reversed the order by removing them from sight and leaving them in the heart. For he does not preach faith, nor can he preach it; unfortunately, only now do I see that. Which of these two forms of destroying images is best, I will let each man judge for himself. View quote
Martin Luther
Now when God sends forth his holy Gospel, He deals with us in a twofold manner, the first outwardly, then inwardly. Outwardly he deals with us through the oral word of the Gospel and through material sings, that is, baptism adndthe sacrament of the altar. Inwardly He deals with us through the Holy spirit, faith, and other gifts. But whatever their measure of order the outward factors should and must procede. The inward experience follows and is effected by the outward. God has determined to give the inward to no one except through the outward. View quote
Martin Luther
I'd rather be ruled by a competent Turk than an incompetent Christian. View quote
Martin Luther
And I must speak plainly. If I were a judge, I would have such a poisonous, syphilitic whore tortured by being broken on the wheel and having her veins lacerated, for it is not to be denied what damage such a filthy whore does to young blood, so that it is unspeakably damaged before it is even fully grown and destroyed in the blood. View quote
Martin Luther
The human being, corrupted to the root, can neither desire nor perform anything but evil. View quote
Martin Luther
If we allow them any influence in our conscience, they become the cloak of evil, heresies and blasphemies. View quote
Martin Luther
Mother love is stronger than the filth and scabbiness on a child, and so the love of God toward us is stronger than the dirt that clings to us. View quote
Martin Luther
For Christ is Joy and Sweetness to a broken heart. Christ is a Lover of poor sinners, and such a Lover that He gave Himself for us. Now if this is true, and it is true, then are we never justified by our own righteousness. View quote
Martin Luther
Although indulgences are the very merits of Christ and of His saints and so should be treated with all reverence, they have in fact nonetheless become a shocking exercise of greed. For who actually seeks the salvation of souls through indulgences, and not instead money for his coffers? This is evident from the way indulgences are preached. For the commissioners and preachers do nothing but extol indulgences and incite the people to contribute. You hear no one instructing the people about what indulgences are, or about how much they grant, or about the purpose they serve. Instead, all you hear is how much one must contribute. The people are always left in ignorance, so that they come to think that by gaining indulgences they are at once saved. (Martin Luther)
Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us. View quote
Martin Luther
Faith is a living, daring confidence in God's grace, so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times. View quote
Martin Luther
I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. Amen. View quote
Martin Luther
Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime. View quote
Martin Luther
For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver. View quote
Martin Luther
Nothing good ever comes of violence. View quote
Martin Luther
Blood alone moves the wheels of history. View quote
Martin Luther
You should not believe your conscience and your feelings more than the word which the Lord who receives sinners preaches to you. View quote
Martin Luther
The Lord commonly gives riches to foolish people, to whom he gives nothing else. View quote
Martin Luther
The will is a beast of burden. If God mounts it, it wishes and goes as God wills; if Satan mounts it, it wishes and goes as Satan wills; Nor can it choose its rider... the riders contend for its possession. (Martin Luther)
I feel much freer now that I am certain the pope is the Antichrist. View quote
Martin Luther
I more fear what is within me than what comes from without. View quote
Martin Luther
The Bible is the cradle wherein Christ is laid. View quote
Martin Luther
Be a sinner and sin strongly, but more strongly have faith and rejoice in Christ. View quote
Martin Luther