>>Luther knew two languages well - German and Latin. He was far less skilled at Greek and Hebrew.
Forgive me if your assessment and “Jewish Encyclopedia’s” assessment of Luther’s linguistic skills are somewhat unpersuasive.
>>>>“dizzying knowledge of Church Fathers’ writings”
>>Not so “dizzying”. Anyone who regularly prayed as a monk would know a great deal about the Early Church Fathers because their writings are included.
Is that why the Pope had to commission the Jesuits? The Reformers were crushing the pope and his followers in theological debates because they had a better understanding of Original Languages and the patristic writing.
>>Luther’s contemporaries often pointed out that he did not understand the Church Fathers very well.
This is an argument? who, when and in what context?
>>The great once-Lutheran scholar Jaroslav Pelikan knew the Fathers better than Luther ever could. . . and became an Eastern Orthodox Christian. Remember, many of the Father’s writings were not even available in published form in Luther’s day.
What is your point? People who follow others by definition know more as a result of cumulative knowledge, time and technology.
>>>>“and breath taking accomplishments in preaching, teaching, translation, hymn writing approaches God with child-like faith and points us to God’s Word and the cross and away from himself, that is where will I stand.”
>>You can stand with Luther. I’ll just stand with Christ and His Church instead, thanks.
This raises the question of your ability to read and comprehend simple English sentences. Luther points us to God’s Word and the cross and away from himself. Which part of that English sentence do you not understand? Even “the Church” has failed to be faithful to God’s Word from time to time, starting with Adam to Noah to Abraham down to the present day.
It is okay if you want to advocate for your theological understanding. But you should be more concerned about your soul and whatever you want to base that assurance upon.
“Forgive me if your assessment and “Jewish Encyclopedia’s” assessment of Luther’s linguistic skills are somewhat unpersuasive.”
I linked to another source - one with a more positive appraisal of Luther’s abilities in Hebrew and I said as much about it. Are you consistently going to get things wrong?
“Is that why the Pope had to commission the Jesuits?”
Had to? The Jesuits were formed in 1534. In 1537, the original Jesuits traveled to Rome to ask seek papal approval for their order from Pope Paul III. He gave it to them and gave permission for them to be ordained when they were judged ready by ordinaries. The official founding was in 1540. There was no “had to”.
“The Reformers were crushing the pope and his followers in theological debates because they had a better understanding of Original Languages and the patristic writing.”
Wow. You live in a fantasy world. Have a great day and read some history.