Luther: The Musician; The great reformer did more than write theology.

Christianity Today ^ | 03/09/2018 | Colin Holman

[SeekAndFind]

Next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise. ... But any who remain unaffected [by music] are clodhoppers indeed and are fit to hear only the words of dung-poets and the music of pigs.”

As might be guessed, these are the words of Martin Luther, the reformer who didn’t mince words. But in more ironic words before these, he said this about music:

"Looking at music itself, you will find that from the beginning of the world it has been instilled and implanted in all creatures, individually and collectively. ... Music is still more wonderful in living things, especially birds, so that David, most musical of all kings, and minstrel of God, in deepest wonder and spiritual exultation praised the astounding art and ease of the song of birds in Psalm 104. ... And yet, compared to the human voice, all this hardly deserves the name of music, so abundant and incomprehensible is here the munificence and wisdom of our most gracious Creator."

Luther was a music lover; he played the lute and flute, sang with a light tenor voice, and even put a hand to composing music. He was well acquainted with the music styles of his day, and he used his varied musical talents and interests to reform the religious and liturgical music of the emerging Lutheran church.

We’ve just commemorated the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s 95 Theses. The emphasis was understandably on Luther’s theology—salvation by faith alone, the priesthood of all believers, the priority of Scripture, and so forth. Just as important historically are Luther’s contributions to church music. Though there is no mention of music in the 95 Theses, Luther’s influence on church music has been significant. Martin Luther might be considered with justification “the father of Protestant music in Germany.”

[sam_whiskey]

My favorite-

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8XUYZoguhEQ

[dp0622]

That’s pretty cool and something I did not know.

But I’m Catholic. I bet most Protestants didn’t know :)

I’d like to hear some of his music.

[Wyrd bið ful aræd]

His music was better than his theology.

[beethovenfan]

My favorite also.

[beethovenfan]

How so?

[SES1066]

My favorite- https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8XUYZoguhEQ

I prefer a slower tempo to this beloved hymn. This Youtube has some of the hymn's history that adds to this interest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEhJS8OYglg

[niteowl77]

Lots of old Lutheran and German Reformed types claimed that the English translations lacked the power of the original German. My grandmother learned Ein feste Burg as a child. I remember her gesangbuch sitting on a dusty, low shelf of an end table- obviously from the Victorian era, with blackletter fonts and written in a mysterious language. The notion of that prematurely old woman - she really seemed like she belonged to the generation before hers - ever being a young farmer's daughter singing hymns in a prairie church was beyond my ability to imagine.

[Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Because as a Catholic I find his theology disagreeable. But some of his hymns are quite stirring. So, chalk one up for his musical talent.

[plain talk]

Ah — A might Fortress. Great piece of music.

[alexander_busek]

Next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise. ... But any who remain unaffected [by music] are clodhoppers indeed and are fit to hear only the words of dung-poets and the music of pigs.”

Wish that had proper attribution!

The closest citation I could find was:

"Viele Samen guter Eigenschaften stecken in den Gemütern, die von der Musik ergriffen werden; die aber nicht von ihr ergriffen werden sind, denke ich, Stümpfen und Steinen gleich." (Correspondence with Ludwig Senfl)

However, I suspect that it might rather be from „Von der Freyheyt eynisz Christen menschen“ (De libertate christiana). Can anyone help?

Regards,

[SeekAndFind]

Read What Luther REALLY MEANT IN CONTEXT here:

http://beggarsallreformation.blogspot.com/2010/08/luther-good-works-are-bad-and-are-sin.html

He DID NOT mean that sinning is much better than good works. *THAT* is a mis-representation.

[SeekAndFind]

RE: Most Difficult Bible Verses for Protestants

Which Protestant?

The link you sent implies that all non-catholic Christians agree on what was written. NOT SO.

[SeekAndFind]

What Jesus Meant When He Said “You Must Eat My Flesh”

[SeekAndFind]

Eating Jesus’ Flesh and Drinking His Blood? What did He mean?

[ebb tide]

Which Protestant?

All of them? What do you think the word "protestant" means?

[SeekAndFind]

RE: What do you think the word “protestant” means?

It means someone “Protesting” against Catholics. Are Baptists for instance doing that today?

Are Evangelicals? Where is the protest?

[boatbums]

There's no convincing some who have already made up their minds about Luther in spite of the truth. The Beggar's All website http://beggarsallreformation.blogspot.com/ contains a nearly complete list of all the polemical lies anti-Protestant Catholics spit out but they seldom avail themselves of the knowledge. It's good when their lies can be exposed.