S2_EP03 - A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Ever wondered about the profound impact and transformative power of hymns? Join us on an enlightening journey as we unravel the remarkable influence of Martin Luther's enduring hymn 'A Mighty Fortress is Our God' on congregational worship and faith. As we recount the captivating tale of Luther's life-altering experiences, his transformative journey to Rome, and his translation of the New Testament, we delve into the significance of music and theology in his view. We'll also explore the crucial role of the printing press and hymn books in people's spiritual lives, and how this hymn continues to resonate in the hearts of millions during times of testing.

Experience the power of surrender and the reassurance born from acknowledging God as our fortress and stronghold. Allow yourself to feel the palpable defeat of evil through the power of Jesus' blood. Together, we'll navigate this extraordinary journey of faith and history. Come, let's dive into this enduring hymn and experience the power of faith that unites us all.

Trinity Male Choir (1931) - Library of Congress

A Mighty Fortress is Our God - Reawaken Hymns

*Scripture verses used in this episode comes from the ESV translation.

Transcript

Andy Peavyhouse: 0:02

Next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise. The gift of language, combined with the gift of song, was given to man that he should proclaim the Word of God through music. This is the Bright Forever. Hello and welcome to the Bright Forever where each week we rediscover the power and richness found in some of the greatest hymns of the faith. My name is Andy Peaveyhouse and I am your host and guide on this, our adventure through hymnody. Happy Reformation Day, everyone.

Andy Peavyhouse: 1:10

Just a mere 506 years after Martin Luther nailed his 95th thesis on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, germany, in 1517, which most of us Protestants view as the beginning of the Reformation. So again, happy Reformation Day, everybody. Today we will embark on a journey through history, faith and the enduring legacy of a hymn that has touched the hearts of millions. But it's not just a song. It's a testament to the enduring power of faith in turbulent times. On September 14, 2001, just three days after the attacks of 9-11, the strains of a familiar hymn could be heard ringing through the halls of the Washington National Cathedral as part of the National Service of Prayer and Remembrance. This hymn's resonance during times of trial and tribulation is a testament to its own continuing relevance, and it's our hymn for today. A mighty fortress is our God, by the great reformer himself, martin Luther. So let's dive into the story behind this enduring hymn and its impact on the world.

MUSIC: 4:18

A mighty fortress is our God. A bulwark never failing. o:p></o:p></span></p> <p

MUSIC: 4:18

class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;text-align:center; line-height:normal"><span

MUSIC: 4:18

style="font-size:13. 0pt">Our shelter He, amid the flood

MUSIC: 4:18

of mortal ills prevailing.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p

MUSIC: 4:18

class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;text-align:center; line-height:normal"><span

MUSIC: 4:18

style="font-size:13. 0pt">For still our ancient foe doth

MUSIC: 4:18

seek to work us woe.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p

MUSIC: 4:18

class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;text-align:center; line-height:normal"><span

MUSIC: 4:18

style="font-size:13. 0pt">His craft and pow’r are great,

MUSIC: 4:18

and, armed with cruel hate,<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p

MUSIC: 4:18

class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;text-align:center; line-height:normal"><span

MUSIC: 4:18

style="font-size:13. 0pt">On earth is not his equal.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

MUSIC: 4:18

that was the Trinity Mail Choir from Victor Recording Company 1931, found in the Library of Congress.

Andy Peavyhouse: 5:04

Let's travel back to the 16th century, to the stormy night in Germany that changed the course of history. A young peasant named Martin Luther narrowly escaped a lightning bolt during a thunderstorm. His life-altering experience led him from the study of law to the study of theology, and he continued his education until he earned a doctorate in philosophy. Through his studies, Luther discovered that true Christianity did not depend on what one knows about God, but on a personal relationship with God. God's forgiveness through the sacrificial death of Christ became central to Luther's beliefs. Luther's journey took him to Rome, where he had sought to make a pilgrimage. While crawling up the staircase of Scala Sancta on his knees, he remembered the verse of Scripture "the just shall live by faith. In that moment he sprang to his feet, ran back down the stairs and the Reformation began.

Andy Peavyhouse: 6:40

I would say that Luther's greatest accomplishment would be the translation of the New Testament into the common language of the people, and with Gutenberg's recently invented printing press, copies of this fresh translation found its way into the hands of the German people. But Luther also began to write hymns and gospel songs to the surprise of many. The people sang them with great fervor, and Luther's preaching became a forceful leader of one of the world's greatest spiritual awakenings. With this new availability of the printing press, hymn books began to be used in schools, in homes and in churches. Christian worship songs became a wellspring of spirituality in the hearts and lives of the people.

Andy Peavyhouse: 7:44

Luther made his feelings about music and theology very apparent. Not only do we have the quote from the beginning of the podcast where he said "next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise. The gift of language, combined with the gift of song, was given to man that he should proclaim the Word of God through music. He loved music and worship, and he loved combining theology and music and the Word of God and music. He thought they went hand in hand. So much so that he deemed music for the church to be of such great importance that he declared once I would allow no man to preach or teach God's people without a proper knowledge of the use and power of sacred song. With these words, it's not surprising that many of the great hymns from history arose from pastors and preachers who came soon after Luther's time, and it shows his lasting impact on congregational worship.

Andy Peavyhouse: 9:10

A mighty fortress is our God is a paraphrase by Luther of Psalm 46. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God. The holy habitation of the Most High God is in the midst of her. She shall not be moved. God will help her. When morning dawns, the nations rage, the kingdoms totter, he utters his voice. The earth melts. The Lord of Host is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah Come behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolation on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear. He burns the chariots with fire. Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of Hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Andy Peavyhouse: 11:09

Luther's hymn exalts God to his prominent and elevated place in the affections of those who hear and embrace its message, and it stands as the most renowned and timeless of the 36 hymns Luther would write A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark, a stronghold, never failing Our shelter. He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing For still our ancient foe, doth seek to work us woe. His craft and power are great and armed with cruel hate. On earth is not his equal. Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing. We're not the right man on our side. The man of God's own choosing Does to ask who that may be Christ Jesus. It is he, lord Sabeoth is his name, from age to age the same, and he must win the battle. At the base of Luther's tomb is inscribed in German the words a mighty fortress is our God. It is said to be the greatest him of the greatest man in the greatest period in German history. This hymn is a cornerstone of modern Christian hymnity, celebrating the sovereign power of God over all earthly and spiritual forces and the sure hope we have in him through Christ's finished work on the cross.

Andy Peavyhouse: 13:35

There are multiple documented theories about when and how the hymn was written. However, most historians believe it was composed in 1527 as the plague approached, during a time of great worry and uncertainty. There's also debate about the tune's origin. Some believe Luther adapted it from an old Gregorian melody, while others suggest Luther wrote it himself. Regardless of its origin, though, the hymn has been translated into numerous languages, including English. Thomas Carlisle and Frederick Henry Hedge provided some of the most enduring English translations, though Carlisle's translation is a little bit of a looser adaptation of the most popularly sung translation, parts of which I've shared in this episode are by Frederick Hedge, who translated it from the German in 1853. And according to historians, it has been sung by persecuted people throughout the centuries, people on their way to exile and by martyrs at their death. The song is rugged and strong, much like Luther himself and believe me, he was rugged and strong.

Andy Peavyhouse: 15:29

He is known for his theological understanding and teaching, but maybe even as well known for his incredibly rough, sometimes over-the-top insults, usually using the device of insult in the service of the defense of pure doctrine and against tyranny and godlessness. Even Luther agreed his insults were sometimes more than necessary. When, at the Diet of Worms, the assembly convened by Charles V, holy Roman Emperor, to address the works of Martin Luther and to get him to recant, luther said this I've written a third sort of book against some private and, as they say, distinguished individuals, those namely who strive to preserve the Roman tyranny and to destroy the godliness taught by me. Against these, I confess, I have been more violent than my religion or profession demands. But then I do not set myself up as a saint, neither am I disputing about my life, but about the teaching of Christ. It is not proper for me to retract these works, because by that retraction it would again happen that tyranny and godlessness would, with my patronage, rule and rage among the people of God more violently than ever before. In this same assembly, in the conclusion of Luther's speech, we hear his most famous quote when asked to recant what he had been teaching, he says Unless. If, then, I am not convinced by testimonies of Scripture or by clear rational arguments, for I do not believe in the Pope or in the councils alone, since it has been established that they have often aired and contradicted each other. I am bound by the Bible texts that I have quoted, and as long as my conscience is captive to the word of God, I cannot and will not retract anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. I cannot do otherwise. Here I stand. May God help me, amen.

Andy Peavyhouse: 18:58

Luther was rugged but also strong. In the face of the power of the Catholic Church, he stood his ground with his hope set firmly in Christ. It is no wonder this hymn, written just 10 years later, affirms the strong stance within Christ, our fortress, in the face of the evil of the day and even the evil one himself. It declares and though this world with devils filled should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God hath willed his truth to triumph through us. The Prince of Darkness, grim we tremble, not for him. His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure. One little word shall fell him. That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them. Abideth. The Spirit and the gifts are ours. Through him who with us sighteth, let goods and kindred go, this mortal life, also the body they may kill. God's truth abideth still. His kingdom is forever.

MUSIC: 21:32

God, a bull walk, never failing Our Elber, he, amid the flood of mortal, is prevailing, for still our ancient foe does seek to work his woe, his crafts and power are gray and armed with cruel hate. On earth, this night is equal, and though this world, its evils fell, should threaten to unto us, we will not fear for God at the will, his truth to triumph through us. The Prince of Darkness, grim we trembled. Our forem, his rage we can endure. For though his doom is short, one little word shall fail him. That word above all earthly powers. No, thanks to them. Abiding the Spirit and the gifts are ours through him who, with the siden, the goods and candor it go, this mortal life, also the body they may kill. God's truth abide is still his kingdom is forever.

Andy Peavyhouse: 24:26

That was A Mighty Fortress, is Our God, performed by Nathan Drake of arreawakinhemescom. Thank you for joining us this week on the Bright Forever. Please take a minute and visit our new website at wwwthebrightforevercom. From there you can follow this podcast either through Apple or Spotify, amazon, podchaser or many of the other podcast platforms, or you can take our RSS feed and plug it into wherever you listen to podcasts, and, of course, we always want to hear from you. There are multiple ways. You can do just that. You can always email us at podcast at thebrightforevercom. You can also click the contact us tab at the top of the website and send us a message through our contact form. Go to our website and click the radio microphone in the bottom right corner and you can record a message up to two minutes and let us know what you think. Who knows, your message may even get played on an upcoming episode of the Bright Forever. Also, you can now comment on each episode by going to that episode on the website and adding your comments at the bottom, and you can always always show us what you think by leaving a review on our website. Give us all the five star ratings and reviews that you would like and don't miss an opportunity to show off the fact that you listen to the Bright Forever. As a matter of fact, my daughter went to Youth Group the other night because I was singing for the youth of our church and she wore one of the Bright Forever t-shirts. I was like sweet, that's awesome. You can visit our new merch store on our website by simply clicking the store tab in the menu. And, lastly, your financial support means the world to us as we continue to reach out to more and more people with a powerful message of these amazing hymns. If those of you out there would like to help us reach a greater audience with these hymns, take a moment, go to our website and click the support the podcast tab in the menu. You can subscribe by giving $3, 5, 8, or $10 per month to help support what we are doing here at the Bright Forever. And if you're not ready to commit to every month, you can always click the yellow coffee icon at the bottom left of our page and give a $5 or greater one-time gift through our BuyMeACoffeecom supporters account. Thank you again for listening and I hope you all have an amazing week.

Andy Peavyhouse: 27:40

Before we go, let me close this out in prayer. Father, thank you so much for another week of getting to dive into these amazingly rich hymns. God, I thank you for the reminder that you can use anyone. God, martin Luther was not perfect. He was rough, he was sarcastic. At times he was over the top, insulting, but, god, you used him anyway. You used him in spite of those things. You changed the world through men like that. You changed the world through ordinary people and we see you through those ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

Andy Peavyhouse: 28:52

Father, that's our prayer, god. We put ourselves out there and say, lord, use us. I give myself away to you. Use me, however. You can Take my ordinary and make me extraordinary and remind me that, no matter what, I can stand firm in you because you are our fortress, you are our stronghold, you are our protection, and evil has already been defeated by the power of the blood of Jesus. God, we love you. We thank you. Move in us this week and make us yours. In Jesus' name, amen, god bless you all. Have a great week and we'll see you back here next week. We're out.