Martin Luther makes his bold defense before Charles 5th and the Papal legate at Worms
Written by Dr. Marcus J. Serven
“Our God is a refuge and a strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1
Over five hundred years ago, Martin Luther was ordered by Charles 5th, the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, to travel to Worms, Germany to make his defense. He was given a promise of “safe conduct” to and from the gathering (or Diet). His friends reminded him, though, of how John Huss had been given a similar promise over a hundred years before, but was betrayed and lost his life (1417). With that ominous threat in mind Luther had to be careful as he traveled the long road to Worms in his oxen-drawn carriage. He felt fear at the prospect of dying in the flames while chained to a stake. But he also felt that it would be a privilege to die for the sake of his Lord Jesus Christ. Once he arrived at Worms (on April 16, 1521), it was demanded that Luther reject all of his books and recant the truths he had discovered from his studies in the Bible. Under the extreme pressure of the moment, he asked for a day to think it over. This was granted. After spending an anguished night of prayer and reflection in a high tower he refused to recant and the next morning he made the following courageous speech:
Emperor Charles 5th
“Since Your Majesty and your lordships desire a simple reply, I will answer without horns and without teeth. Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason—I do not accept the authority of popes or councils, for they have contradicted each other—my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise. May God help me, Amen.”
— Roland Bainton, Here I Stand, 144
Luther was abruptly dismissed from the gathering by the emperor, and it appeared that he had emerged victorious from the Diet of Worms. He began his travel home to Wittenberg on April 26, 1521 trusting that he would be able to return to his studies and to his eager students. Unknown to Luther, however, ten days after he departed the emperor declared him to be a criminal and a heretic (May 6, 1521). He ordered that Luther be captured and held for future judgment. Luther’s friends, though, had a different plan. Anticipating what might happen, they schemed to get him away from all of his enemies to a place of safety and thereby preserve his life. The famous historian of the Reformation, Dr. J. H. Merle D’Aubigne, gives us the details of what happened that fateful day:
“On the following day he resumed his journey, accompanied by Amsdorf and his brother James. In these lonely spots the reformer’s lot was to be decided. They were passing along the forest of Thuringia, on the road to Waltershausen, As the carriage was in a hollow part of the road…a sudden noise was heard, and at that moment five horsemen, masked and in complete armor, rushed upon the travelers. Luther’s brother, as soon as he perceived the assailants, leapt from the vehicle, and ran off at full speed without uttering a word. The driver was for defending himself. “Stop!” cried one of the assailants in a stern voice, and rushing upon him threw him to the ground. A second man in a mask seized Amsdorf, and prevented him from coming near. Meanwhile the three other horsemen laid hold of Luther, keeping the most profound silence. They pulled him violently from the carriage, threw a horseman’s cloak upon his shoulders and placed him on a led horse. Then the other two quitted Amsdorf and the driver, and the whole leapt into their saddles. The hat of one of them fell off, but they did not even stop to lift it, and in a twinkling disappeared in the dark forest with their prisoner. They at first took the road to Broderode; but they soon retraced their steps by a different road, and, without quitting the forest, made turnings and windings in all directions, in order to deceive those who might attempt to follow their track…nightfall having made it impossible to follow their track, the party carrying off Luther took a new direction, and about an hour before midnight arrived at the foot of a mountain. The horses climbed slowly to its summit, on which stood an old fortress, surrounded on all sides, except that of the entrance, by the black forests which cover the mountains of Thuringia. To this elevated and isolated castle, named the Wartburg…was Luther conducted.”
— D’Aubigne, The History of the Reformation, Book VII, 214
News of Luther’s kidnapping quickly spread throughout the countryside. Some people were delighted, while others responded with anguished feelings of grief and sorrow. They did not know if Martin Luther was alive or dead! But rather than being captured by his enemies, Luther had actually been kidnapped by his friends! The supportive German Prince, Frederick of Saxony, arranged for Luther’s “kidnapping” in order to protect him from the vengeful Roman Catholic authorities.
The Wartburg–Martin Luther referred to this remote mountain refuge as “My Patmos”
Luther as “Junker George”
For almost a year he lay hidden in “The Wartburg” under the false name, Junker George (or “George the Knight”). During this time he grew a beard and carried a large sword to complete the disguise. Rather than remain idle, or feel sorry for himself, he used this time of concealment well and wrote a large number of pamphlets defending the doctrines he had discovered in the Bible. Moreover, he began work on translating the entire New Testament into German (completed in 1522). Finally, he wrote many stirring hymns of which “A Mighty Fortress is our God” is the best known. It has been reported that while watching the smoke rise from many peasant campfires in the valley far below, Luther became discouraged by intense feelings of loneliness and despair. A fresh wind, though, suddenly arose and blew all the smoke away. He was greatly encouraged by that sight and rejoiced that the Lord can remove our own fears and doubts as easily as the wind can blow away smoke. Indeed, “Our God is a refuge and a strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1
Resources for Further Study:
Bainton, Roland. Here I Stand. New York, NY: Penguin Books, 1950.
D’Aubigne, J. H. Merle. The History of the Reformation. Originally Published in 1872; Powder Spring, GA: Powder Springs Press, Facsimile Edition, 2008.
Hildebrand, Hans J., ed. The Reformation: A Narrative History. New York, NY: Harper & Row Publishers, 1964.
Kittleson, James M. Luther the Reformer: The Story of the Man and his Career. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House, 1986.
Rupp, Gordon. Luther’s Progress to the Diet of Worms 1521. London, England: SCM Press Ltd., 1951.
Dr. Marcus J. Serven, ThM and DMin
Genevan Foundation – Copyright 2025 – All Rights Reserved
Martin Luther posts the 95 Theses on the Castle Church door in Wittenberg, Germany
Written by Dr. Marcus J. Serven
Who was Martin Luther? Certainly he must be remembered as that preeminent Protestant Reformer who recovered the true Gospel and rescued the Christian Church from its slavery to the “traditions of men.” He began his religious career as a well-meaning, but misguided Augustinian monk. God had endowed him with a remarkably curious mind that searched after truth–not just philosophical truth, but “true truth” that would actually make a difference in changing lives. He found that “true truth” in the pages of Holy Scripture. There he learned that all men and women are inveterate sinners who are unable to help themselves. He also learned that God had graciously sent forth his Son, Jesus Christ, as a sacrifice for sins, and that he had also provided the “gift of faith” so that we could believe and trust in the work of Jesus Christ. This discovery brought about a fundamental change in Luther’s life so that he shed his guilt, was justified on the basis of Christ’s righteousness, and dedicated himself to live to the glory of God. The Lord used him to begin a spiritual revolution in Germany, which spread throughout Europe and (in time) to the rest of the world. Dr. Hugh Thomson Kerr, Jr., a notable scholar of the Reformation, wrote this following tribute:
There is virtual unanimity among historians and theologians as to the unique importance and significance of Martin Luther. He was not only the outstanding hero of the Protestant Reformation, but his influence was such that subsequent history cannot be understood without taking him into consideration. Even those who do not subscribe to his views are forced to admit that he brought about a transformation, if not a reformation, in life and thought as well as in religion…Surely he is one of the pivotal personalities of history, and he has always been acknowledged as such. His appeal is universal, and if books about him mean anything he grows in importance with the passing years. That is why he belongs not to one branch of Protestantism, but, we may say, to Christian theology.
Dr. Hugh T. Kerr, A Compend of Luther’s Theology, “Forward”
Hence we study the life of Martin Luther, not because he was a greater and wiser man than the rest of us, but because he was an earthy and ordinary man, whom God used to accomplish extraordinary deeds for the kingdom of God. And for this one fact, we can all be thankful! Soli Deo Gloria!
His Early Years & Preparation: (1483-1501)
1483 – Martin Luther is born on November 10th in Eisleben
1483 – Luther is baptized on November 11th at the church in Eisleben
1484 – Hans Luther moves his family to Mansfield, where he takes up work as a silver miner
1492 – Young Martin (age 9) is enrolled in the Latin School of Mansfield
1497 – Luther (age 14) attends the Latin School of Magdeburg run by the “Brethren of the Common Life”
1498 – Luther attends the School of St. George in Eisenach. While “singing for his supper” he is befriended by the Cotta and Schalbe families
In Erfurt: Life as a Student & Monk (1501-1511)
Luther as a Monk
1501 – Luther (age 18) graduates from the School of St. George in Eisenach and begins studies at the University of Erfurt
1502 – The Bachelor of Arts degreeis awarded in September (30th out of 57 graduates)
1505 – The Master of Arts degree is awarded in January (2nd out of 17 graduates)
1505 – At the encouragement of his father, Hans Luther, Martin Luther begins legal studies at the University of Erfurt in May
1505 – On a journey home Luther (age 21) is caught in a severe thunderstorm near Stotternheim (July 2); he impulsively vows to become monk and enters the Augustinian cloister at Erfurt (July 17); his friends are unsuccessful in urging him to reconsider his decision
1507 – Martin Luther’s Ordination and 1st Mass take place (April 3); his father, Hans Luther, rides in with twenty of his friends and makes a sizable gift
1509 – Luther is awarded two theological degrees: Biblical Baccalaureate and the Sententiarius in March
1510 – Luther is sent to Rome on business for the Observant Augustinians
1511 – Returned from Rome, Luther is transferred by his superior, Johann von Staupitz, to Wittenberg so that he can teach Bible in the University
In Wittenberg: His 1st Tower Experience (1511-1521)
Philip Melanchthon – Martin Luther’s friend and fellow professor
1512 – His Doctor of Theology degree is awarded at Wittenberg on October 19
1513 – He begins lectures on the Psalms during the Fall and realizes that the “righteousness of God” is a gift from God imputed to every believer (cf. Psalm 31:1 “…in Thy righteousness deliver me.”)
1514 – He begins lectures on Romans during the Spring, and confirms in his 1st Tower experience the thesis that the “righteousness of God” is graciously given through Christ to every believer (cf. Romans 1:16-17 “…For in it [the gospel] the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith.”)
1515 – He begins lectures on Galatians during the Fall
1516 – He begins lectures on Hebrews during the Fall
1517 – Luther posts the 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church at Wittenberg in opposition to the selling of Indulgences [i.e. certificates of pardon] by Johann Tetzel on October 31st
1518 – Luther participates in the Heidelberg Disputation before his fellow Augustinians on April 26th
1518 – Luther travels to Augsburg and argues theology with Cardinal Cajetan (October 12-14)
1519 – Luther participates in the Leipzig Debate with Johann Eck of Ingolstadt
1520 – Two German Knights, Ulrich Von Hutten and Franz Von Sickingen, offer Luther armed protection in the face of rising opposition to his theology
1520 – Luther writes On the Papacy at Rome (June 11th)
1520 – On June 15th Pope Leo X issues a papal bull, Exsurge Domine, giving Luther sixty days to recant and submit to the Pope’s authority
1520 – Luther writes Address to the Christian Nobilityof the German Nation (in August)
1520 – Luther writes The Babylonian Captivity of the Church (October 6)
1520 – Luther writes On the Freedom of a Christian (November)
1520 – The burning of the Exsurge Domine and books of canon law takes place in a public bonfire at Wittenberg (December); Luther appears and throws the offending documents into the fire to the cheering of the students
At Worms: His 2nd Tower Experience (1521)
1521 – Luther is excommunicated by Pope Leo X (January 3)
1521 – Luther is summoned by Holy Roman Emperor Charles V to the Diet of Worms; “safe passage” is promised (March)
1521 – On April 16-18 Luther is questioned in two hearings at the Diet of Worms
1521 – During an anxious night of prayer Luther has a 2nd Tower experience, delivering his famous words the next morning, “…I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted, and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot do otherwise, here I stand, may God help me, Amen.”
Luther appears before the Diet of Worms (1521)
In the Wartburg: Life as an Outlaw (1521- 1522)
The Wartburg Castle
1521 – Luther is “kidnapped” by friends and kept in protective custody in the Wartburg Castle (early May)
1521 – Luther grows a beard and goes by the name of “Junker Jorg”
1521 – Luther writes Commentary on the Magnificat (May)
1521 – Luther writes On Confession: Whether the Pope Has the Authority to Require It (June 1)
1521 – Luther writes Against Latomus (June 20)
1521 – Luther writes On the Abolition of Private Masses: On Monastic Vows (November)
1521 – Luther writes An Admonition to All Christians to Guard Themselves Against Insurrection (December)
1521 – Luther begins his translation of the New Testament into German using The Greek New Testament by Erasmus (1516 edition)
Return to Wittenberg: Mid-Career (1522-1530)
Katie Luther
1522 – Luther suddenly returns to Wittenberg on March 6
1522 – Luther writes Advent Church Postils (March)
1522 – Luther publishes his translation of the New Testament in German (September)
1523 – Luther writes That Jesus Christ was Born a Jew
1523 – Luther writes On Temporal Authority: The Extent to Which It Should be Obeyed (March)
1524 – Luther writes Letter to the Princes of Saxony Concerning the Rebellious Spirit
1524 – Luther writes To the Municipalities of Germany…On Founding Schools (February)
1524 – Luther argues with a fellow reformer, Andreas Carlstadt, on the nature and practice of the Lord’s Supper
1524 – Erasmus publishes his On the Freedom of the Will (September)
1524 – On October 9 Luther publicly abandons his religious habit
1524 – Luther writes To the Christians at Strasbourg against the Enthusiasts (November)
1525 – Luther writes Against the Heavenly Prophets (January)
1525 – Luther writes Admonition to Peace Concerning the 12 Articles of the Peasants (April 19)
1525 – Due to the Peasant’s Revolt Luther writes Against the Murderous and Thieving Hordes of Peasants (May 5)
1525 – On June 13 Luther marries the former nun, Katharina von Bora
1525 – Luther explains his previous pamphlets by writing An Open Letter against the Hard Book against the Peasants (July)
1525 – Luther’s reply to Erasmus, On the Bondage of the Will, is published (December)
1526 – The 1st of six children is born—Johannes Luther (June 7)
1526 – Luther writes German Mass and Order for Public Worship
1527 – Luther writes Whether These Words, “This Is My Body” Still Stand against the Fanatics (April)
1527 – The 1st of four Diets at Speyer takes place. The result is that the German princes refuse to enforce the Edict of the Diet of Worms to stop the spread of Lutheranism (mid-summer)
1527 – Luther writes Whether One May Flee from a Deadly Plague (November)
1527 – His 2nd child ,Elisabeth Luther, is born on December 10; sadly she dies on August 3, 1528 at 8 months
1528 – Luther writes Great Confession on the Lord’s Supper (March)
1528 – During a lengthy period of physical illness and spiritual depression—which he called Anfectungen (i.e. spiritual darkness, doubt, dread)—Luther composes his great hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” (August)
1529 – Luther writes On War Against the Turk
1529 – Luther begins writing The Small Catechism and The Large Catechism
1529 – His 3rd child Magdalena Luther (“Lenchen”) is born (dies at age 13)
1529 – The Marburg Colloquy takes place with a heated debate with the Swiss Reformer, Ulrich Zwingli, over the Lord’s Supper (October 1-4)
1530 – Luther stays in the Coburg Castle during the Diet of Augsburg (April to August); Philip Melanchthon represents his theological views
1530 – Luther writes To the Clergy Assembled at Augsburg (mid-May)
1530 – Meetings begin at Schmalkalden resulting in a defensive alignment of German Princes against Roman Catholic incursions; this alliance becomes known as the Schmalkald League
Family Life: Martin Luther leading hymns with his Wife, Children, and Philip Melanchthon
In Wittenberg: Consolidation of the Church (1530-1546)
1531 – Students begin to copy down Luther’s remarks during meals (Table Talk)
1531 – Luther’s 4th child, Martin, is born
1531 – Luther writes Warning to His Beloved Germans (April)
1531 – Luther writes Commentary on Galatians (May)
1531 – Luther writes On Infiltrating and Clandestine Preachers (January)
1533 – Luther’s 5th child, Paul, is born
1533 – Luther writes About Private Mass and Ordination
1534 – Luther’s translation of the complete German Bible (Old and New Testaments) is published
1534 – His 6th child, Margaret, is born (December 17th)
1535 – Luther writes Lectures on Genesis
1536 – The Wittenburg Concord on the Lord’s Supper takes place (May)
1537 – The Schmalkald Articles are adopted by Protestant Princes (February)
1538 – Luther writes Letter Against the Sabbatarians (March)
1539 – The bigamy of Philip of Hesse becomes public; this results in a stormy and lengthy controversy about one of Luther’s most ardent supporters
1540 – The Colloquy of Hagenau takes place (June-July)—Philip Melanchthon represents Luther
1541 – The Diet of Regensburg takes place (April)—Philip Melanchthon represents Luther
1542 – The death of Magdalena Luther (“Lenchen”) on September 20
1543 – Luther writes On the Jews and Their Lies (January)
1544 – Luther writes Short Confession on the Holy Sacrament (September)
1545 – Luther writes Against the Papacy at Rome, Founded by the Devil (March)
1546 – On February 18th Martin Luther dies in the town of his birth and baptism, Eisleben
1546 – On February 22nd Luther’s funeral is held at Wittenberg with a sermon preached by his closest friend and supporter, Philip Melanchthon
Some of my favorite books on Martin Luther
Here are four more recent Luther volumes–all of them are winners!
Resources for Further Study:
Althaus, Paul. The Theology of Martin Luther. Robert C. Schultz, trans. Philadelphia, PA: Fortress Press, 1966.
Bainton, Roland. Here I Stand. New York, NY: Penguin Books, 1950.
