Luther's Conversion in his own words

An account of Luther's own conversion is to be found in Luther's Works Volume 34, pages 336-337. It reads:

Meanwhile, I had already during that year [believed to be 1519] returned to interpret the Psalter anew. I had confidence in the fact that I was more skilful, after I had lectured in the university on St. Paul's epistles to the Romans, to the Galatians, and the one to the Hebrews. I had indeed been captivated with an extraordinary ardor for understanding Paul in the Epistle to the Romans. But up till then it was not the cold blood about the heart, but a single word in Chapter 1, "In it the righteousness of God is revealed," that had stood in my way. For I hated that word "righteousness of God," which, according to the use and custom of all the teachers, I had been taught to understand philosophically regarding the formal or active righteousness, as they call it, with which God is righteous and punishes the unrighteous sinner.

J A Wylie's Account of Luther's transformation from Monk to Reformer

James A. Wylie wrote the classic known as "The History of Protestantism". In Book Five entitled "History of Protestantism in Germany to the Leipic Disputation, 1519" and Chapter Four entitled "Luther the Monk becomes Luther the Reformer" Wylie describes the transformation that took place in Luther's life.

Chapter Four of Book Five is reproduced here:

Chapter Four summary

Staupitz – Visits the Convent at Erfurt – Meets Luther – Conversations between the Vicar-General and the Monk – The Cross – Repentance – A Free Salvation – The Dawn Begins – The Night Returns – An Old Monk – "The Forgiveness of Sins" – Luther's Full Emancipation – A Rehearsal – Christendom's Burden – How Delivered

An account of Martin Luther’s Conversion By Horatius Bonar

Horatius Bonar lived from 1808 – 1889. He was a contemporary and acquaintance of Robert Murray M'cheyne. He came from a long line of Gospel ministers who had served a total of 364 years in the Church of Scotland. His brothers John and Andrew were also ministers of the Gospel.

Horatius Bonar knew a lot of tragedy in his life. Married to Jane Catherine Lundie in 1843, five of their young children died in succession. Towards the end of their lives, one of their surviving daughters was left a widow with five small children of her own. She subsequently returned to live with her parents. His son in law, Rev. G. T. Dodds, died in 1882 while serving as a missionary in France. Horatius Bonar later wrote a biography of his son in law, entitled: 'The Life and Works of the Rev. G. T. Dodds'.

Horatius Bonar was first a minister in the Church of Scotland. His first charge was a mission work at St. John's parish in Leith and then settled at Kelso. I the Great Disruption of 1843 Horatius Bonar left the Church of Scotland and joined the Free Church. In 1867 he moved to Edinburgh to take over the Chalmers Memorial Church, named after Dr. Thomas Chalmers. In 1883, Horatius Bonar was elected Moderator of the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland.

Horatius Bonar was a prolific and hugely popular author. This is what he wrote of Luther:

Reformation Day - in Commemoration and Celebration of the Event that went on to shake the World

Martin Luther is known as 'the Monk who shook the world'. The event that set off this religious
earthquake was his nailing of his 95 Thesis against the sale of indulgences to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. The subsequent tremors were felt across the nations of Europe for decades and centuries to come.

Selling Indulgences

The selling of salvation by the means of the hawking of indulgences around the nations of Europe in order to increase ecclesiastical wealth was a growing scandal in the Roman Catholic Church. In particular the selling of a 'Jubilee Indulgence,' authorised by Pope Leo X to pay for the rebuilding of St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome, infuriated Luther and stirred him to take action.

Romanism based this corrupt practice on a verse in the Gospel of John, where Jesus gave the Apostles the authority to forgive or retain the sins of humanity, John 20:23: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. The Roman Church justified this practice of selling indulgences by citing that, although God released the offender from his heavenly obligation, he was still required to pay an earthly price for his sin.

Rev David McIlveen responds to Jeffrey Donaldson's comments welcoming a papal visit

Retired Free Presbyterian minister Rev David McIlveen has responded to MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson's comments welcoming a papal visit.

Rev McIlveen said there will be protests if Pope Francis visits Northern Ireland next year. He said that while the Pope has a right to visit, he can expect some opposition.

The full article can be read here: BBC - Protests planned by Free Presbyterians if Pope visits NI

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson's comments can be read here: Belfast Telegraph - DUP's Donaldson appears to welcome possible Pope visit to Northern Ireland: I don't think the Protestant community reaction would be negative.

The Belfast Telegraph's editorial [no friend of Biblical Christianity] was quick to welcome the change in tone from the DUP MP, see here DUP MP's views on papal visit to Northern Ireland are very welcome and show just how far we've come since 1979.

Video clips of Rev Gordon Dane preaching at the Open-air at Belfast City Hall

Video - March of Witness

March of Witness & Open Air to commemorate the Reformation

Martin Luther believed in taking the battle for Protestantism into the 'public square'. He battled for truth, and contended with the enemies of the Reformation, publicly and openly. He didn't hide away in Wittenberg University, he boldly and unashamedly bore reproach and stood for God in the 'public square'.

Today, in commemoration of Luther's stand for truth and to mark the 500th anniversary of the commencement of the Reformation, a march of witness left John Knox Memorial Free Presbyterian Church and walked down into Belfast City centre and held an open-air outside the gates of the City Hall. Rev Gordon Dane, Deputy Moderator of the Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church, was the preacher at the Open-air.

There follows some photos of the March of Witness and Open-air

Reply to Mr Alban Maginness from Rev David McLaughlin

Rev. David McLaughlin, minister in Carryduff Free Presbyterian Church, has sent the following reply to the Belfast Telegraph in answer to Alban Maginness' comments about the Protestant Reformation.

How much they will print no one knows so it is published here in full.

As a Bible believing Protestant I sincerely respect the right of people to document their views and opinions. This principle of civil and religious liberty is enshrined within the great tenants of our favoured nation. But the freedom to express our opinion does not, in and of itself, immunise us from a thoughtful analysis by those who hold to a different interpretation and application of the subject that is being considered.

Mr Alban Maginness, a former barrister, MLA and Lord Mayor of Belfast, recently wrote in the Belfast Telegraph that the Reformation was "a tragedy that still divides us”. According to the Oxford dictionary the word ‘tragedy’ means , “An event causing great suffering, destruction, and distress ..” What Alban Maginness is arguing for is that the Reformation caused great suffering, destruction and distress for the Roman Catholic Church from the 16th Century to the present day? From a Roman Catholic perspective the Reformation is viewed as a “tragedy”, because it exposed the Church’s intimidating system of ritual and penance to earn salvation, to be contrary to the Holy Scriptures. However, from the Protestant perspective the Reformation was neither “tragic nor an unfortunate misunderstanding”. In fact it was a glorious movement of the Spirit of God, because truth triumphed over error, light defeated darkness and the Scriptures exalted over manmade traditions.

Another Anniversary - This Time a Shameful One

This is the 500th anniversary year for the Reformation. On 31st October we will mark the 500th anniversary of Luther nailing up his 95 Theses on the door of Wittenberg Church.

Today also marks another important anniversary, albeit a most sad and shameful one. Today is the 50th anniversary of the 1967 Abortion Act being passed in Parliament. The Act didn't come into effect until 27th April 1968.

This shameful Abortion Act was first introduced by Member of Parliament Dr David Steel, now Lord Steel of Aikwood, as a Private Member's Bill. His private members' bill was, however, supported by the government of the day, who appointed the president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Sir John Peel, to chair a medical advisory committee that reported in favour of passing the bill.

This Abortion Act made abortion legal in all of Great Britain, with the exception of Northern Ireland, up to 28 weeks' gestation. 

In 1990, the law was amended by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act so that abortion was no longer legal after 24 weeks, except in cases where it was necessary to save the life of the woman, where there was evidence of extreme foetal abnormality, or where there was a grave risk of physical or mental injury to the woman.

Rome's false teaching on Justification

The Catechism of the Catholic Church was revised and reprinted in March 2000. This gives an up-to-date record of Rome's teaching on various doctrines.

This Catechism of the Catholic Church has much to say about the doctrine of Justification. There are at least 40 references to the term 'Justification' in this Catechism of the Catholic Church. These 40 references demonstrate that Rome's view of 'Justification' is still the same as at the Council of Trent and is still contrary to the teaching of the Bible and the truth held by orthodox Protestantism.

The Reformation - A Blessing sent from God and no Tragedy

All this week, the Belfast Telegraph will be carrying a series of articles to mark the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.

Today, Mr Alban Maginness, a former barrister, MLA and Lord Mayor of Belfast, writes that the Reformation was "a tragedy that still divides us" [click on the link to read his article]

Among a number of comments Mr Maginness makes, there is the impression given that the Reformation was a "tragic" and "unfortunate" misunderstanding and that "by today's thinking, much of the disputed issues are not considered that great a difference in Christian thinking".

Mr Maginness goes on to observe that "In particular, a common understanding about the doctrine of justification by faith has now been reached between the Catholic Church and the Lutheran Churches and others."

In his mind "Some of those historic disputes now seem abstract and irrelevant today. That is not to say that these differences were not real 500 years ago, but rather that they have lost the passion and energy that they once inspired."

He is heartened by the fact that "… ecumenical growth over the past century has led to a healthy and mature reconsideration of the Reformation by all and an easing of the inter-Church tensions."

Reformation Quotable Quote

Every week I preach justification by faith to my people, because every week they forget it. Martin Luther

School Prize Giving

Reformation Quotable Quote

Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason-I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other-my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen. Martin Luther at the Diet of worms 1521.

Luther at the Diet of Worms

In April 1521 Martin Luther appeared at the Diet of Worms and confessed his allegiance to the teachings of Scripture before the Emperor and Church hierarchy. It was here he made his famous statement: Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen.

Some years ago I had the privilege of being in the city of Worms. There is a large monument to Luther and other Reformers in the centre of the city. This monument was erected to honour Luther and his fellow Reformers in Worms in 1868.

The monument bears witness to Luther determination to stand for Bible truth.

Reformation Quotable Quote

From the beginning of my Reformation I have asked God to send me neither dreams, nor visions, nor angels, but to give me the right understanding of His Word, the Holy Scriptures; for as long as I have God's Word, I know that I am walking in His way and that I shall not fall into any error or delusion. Had I followed the enthusiasts and their many dreams and visions, I would have had to change my doctrine more than thirty or forty times. Martin Luther, Commentary on Genesis.

Unsuitability of CCEA's new GCSE English Literature Specification

CCEA, the examination body in Northern Ireland, has recently brought out a new specification for GCSE English Literature to come into effect from September 2017. The Presbytery Education Board has been raising objections to the changes and new content. So unacceptable are the proposed changes that it would be impossible to offer CCEA GCSE English Literature to any of the pupils within our Christian Schools.

The new specification purports to offer a range of texts, but in reality they are dreadfully similar in their portrayal of the seamy, sordid and base side of life and their use of unacceptable language. It also purports to give a choice but in reality there is no real choice for those with Christian beliefs and convictions.

Concerns exist around different sections:

Quotable Quote

The nearest place to the gate of heaven is the throne of the heavenly grace. C. H. Spurgeon

The Watchword of the Reformers - Jehovah Tsidkenu, The Lord our Righteousness

This is one of Robert Murray McCheyne well known hymns. In McCheyne's writings it is entitled "The Watchword of the Reformers".  The word "watchword" appears in the last verse and was placed in quotation marks in McCheyne's writings.

There are two more verse in the original poem that McCheyne penned than appears in the Free Presbyterian hymnal, see verse two and verse six. In his writings this poem was dated November 18 1834.

1. I once was a stranger to grace and to God,
I knew not my danger, and felt not my load;
Though friends spoke in rapture of Christ on the tree,
Jehovah Tsidkenu was nothing to me.

2. I oft read with pleasure, to sooth or engage,
Isaiah’s wild measure and John’s simple page;
But e’en when they pictured the blood-sprinkled tree
Jehovah Tsidkenu seem'd nothing to me.

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Harvest Services

Reformation Commemoration meetings

Another example of the PSNI abandoning impartiality when it comes to Sodomy

Click on graphic above to read letter in the Belfast Newsletter

Police Service of Northern Ireland abandons all semblance of impartiality by joining the sodomite parade in Belfast, thereby loses respect

For the first time uniformed officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland [PSNI] took part in Belfast's sodomite pride parade last Saturday. Garda Siochana officers also took part in the Belfast parade.

In total around forty uniformed officers from Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and other UK police forces joined the march through the centre of Belfast.

Criticism

The PSNI has rightly come under criticism for allowing its officers to join the parade. This is especially so when the the organisers of this pride parade are seeking to overturn the laws against gay marriage in Northern Ireland. The PSNI are seen to be taking sides and refusing to remain neutral on this contentious issue. 

A poor deceived mother defends her depraved sodomite sons

Rev Ivan Foster answers woman who wrote to the Newsletter defending her sodomite sons. Click on the graphic above to link to the article.

Sodomite Politicians use their positions to advance their personal views

Just imagine if this was a professing, evangelical, born-again Christian who openly stated that they would use their political position to promote and advance their personal, biblical views on sodomy and gay marriage.

There would be an outcry from the liberal media. Reporters and commentators would be indulging in outrage that such a thing was allowable in this permissive age. News bulletins would be leading on the story. Radio phones-ins would be running the story ad nauseam. Grieved and outraged members of the sodomite community would be wheeled out to tell all and sundry how offended and deeply hurt they are by such an outrageous abuse of position being allowed to take place. Social media would be aghast that such a thing was countenanced. All would be demanding that something be done about it.

There would be high pitched demands that such a person, who would use their political position to promote their personal, biblical views, should be sacked and removed immediately from their position.

Hypocritical silence

No such outcry, however, follows such an announcement from pro-sodomy and pro-gay marriage politicians. Hypocritically there is silence. Not a squeak is heard from any media outlet about this abuse of position.  Even worst, tacit approval and support is given to those who openly state that they will use their political positions to promote and advance their personal views on these moral issues such as sodomy and gay marriage.

Two glaring examples of this two-faced hypocrisy have been evident over the summer so far.

Protest at Sodomite parade in Belfast

Further pandering to the Sodomites

It has been reported that PSNI officers will take part in the Belfast Pride Parade. This is supposedly to stamp out hate crime against members of the LGBT community in the Province.

This is simply an exercise in pandering to a vociferous lobby group.

The Chief Constable of the PSNI has been urged to ‘step in’ over uniformed officers taking part in Gay Pride parade by Mr Jim Allister.

Click here to see the report in the Belfast Newsletter

Abortion - 100,000 children alive in Northern Ireland today due to restrictions on abortion.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has endorsed a billboard campaign claiming Northern Ireland's abortion laws have saved 100,000 lives. See here

Fourteen complaints had been made against the claim alleging that it could not be substantiated. However, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has dismissed the complaints stating that the assertion was not misleading and there was a "reasonable probability" it was largely accurate.

A Pro-life lobby group called Both Lives Matter (BLM) had run the billboard campaign. BLM, while acknowledging that it was not possible to calculate an exact figure, claimed that 100,000 represented a credible and conservative estimate. This calculation was based on a comparison with Scotland's abortion ratio.

Protest Against Belfast Pride Parade

Free Presbyterian Open Air Gospel Witness at the Belfast Pride Parade

Date - Saturday 5th August 2017

Place - Waring Street, Belfast (at its junction with North St/ Donegal Street)

Time - 11:15 am

Leader - Rev David McLaughlin
Preacher - Rev Brian McClung

Headcovering for women

This is the summary of a sermon preached some years ago in Newtownabbey FPC as part of a series on Free Presbyterian distinctives. 

The marks of a Scriptural Church - Wearing a Head Covering 

To be a Scriptural Church there is a need for all females to wear a headcovering. Paul in writing to young Timothy exhorted him to hold fast the form of sound words given to him. Timothy was charged to be faithful to the precepts of the Word of God in a day when it was difficult to do so. Paul warned him that the time would come when many would not endure sound doctrine and that many would turn away from the truth, deceiving and being deceived. If anything marks the age in which we live it is these features with respect to the issue of Headcovering.

There has been a serious turning away from the Word of God on the issue of females wearing a head covering in public worship. There is most certainly a failure to hold fast to the form of sound words on this vital matter as taught in the holy Scriptures.

Churches that believe it is right that women cover their heads in public worship are laughed at and ridiculed. We are denounced as being petty and narrow minded. There are those who argue that this precept only applied to Corinth and was a local custom in order to excuse their non-observance of this practice.

There are those abroad today who once held to this but who do not do so any longer. They argue that it hinders people coming into the services. There have been churches which once kept 'hats' to give people who arrived at church without them but have now changed and are preaching against the wearing of a head covering.

What Do The Times Require?

This article is by J C Ryle. It is an extract from the chapter “Wants of the times” in his book entitled ‘Holiness'. It is worth reading keeping in mind that this is the 500th anniversary year for the Protestant Reformation

The times require of us an awakened and livelier sense of the unscriptural and soul-ruining character of Romanism.

This is a painful subject: but it imperatively demands some plain speaking.

The FACTS of the case are very simple. No intelligent observer can fail to see that the tone of public feeling in England about Romanism has undergone a great change in the last forty years. Father Oakley, the well-known pervert, an ally of Cardinal Newman, asserts this triumphantly in the last number of the Contemporary Review. And I am sorry to say that, in my judgment, he speaks the truth. There is no longer that general dislike, dread, and aversion to Popery, which was once almost universal in this realm. The edge of the old British feeling about Protestantism seems blunted and dull. Some profess to be tired of all religious controversy, and are ready to sacrifice God's truth for the sake of peace.—Some look on Romanism as simply one among many English forms of religion, and neither worse nor better than others.—Some try to persuade us that Romanism is changed, and not nearly so bad as it used to be.—Some boldly point to the faults of Protestants, and loudly cry that Romanists are quite as good as ourselves.—Some think it fine and liberal to maintain that we have no right to think any one wrong who is in earnest about his creed. —And yet the two great historical facts, (a) that ignorance, immorality, and superstition reigned supreme in England four hundred years ago under Popery, (b) that the Reformation was the greatest blessing God ever gave to this land,—both these are facts which no one but a Papist ever thought of disputing fifty years ago! In the present day, alas, it is convenient and fashionable to forget them! In short, at the rate we are going, I shall not be surprised if it is soon proposed to repeal the Act of Settlement, and to allow the Crown of England to be worn by a Papist.

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Quotable Quote - Martin Luther

When charged with heresy at the Diet of Worms Martin Luther had this to say in his defence:
Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason - I do not accept the authority of the popes and 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. God help me. Amen.

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