Protestant Reformer Martin LutherAlthough Protestants like to think positively about Martin Luther because of his supposed belief in sola Scriptura (the Bible alone), the truth is that Martin Luther changed parts of the Bible and discounted the value of many books.Notice a change he admitted to regarding Romans 3:28:You tell me what a great fuss the Papists are making because the word alone in not in the text of Paulsay right out to him: ‘Dr. Martin Luther will have it so,’I will have it so, and I order it to be so, and my will is reason enough. I know very well that the word ‘alone’ is not in the Latin or the Greek text (Stoddard J. Rebuilding a Lost Faith. 101-102; see also Luther M. Discussion, 1, 127).This passage strongly suggests that Martin Luther viewed his opinions, and not the actual Bible as the primary authority–a concept which this author will name prima Luther.
By “papists” he is condemning.Regarding the New Testament Book of Hebrews Martin Luther stated,It need not surprise one to find here bits of wood, hay, and straw (O’HarePF. The Facts About Luther, 1916–1987 reprint ed., p. 203).He also wrote,St. James’ epistle is really an epistle of strawfor it has nothing of the nature of the gospel about it” (Luther, M. Preface to the New Testament, 1546).Perhaps none of Martin Luther’s writings on the Bible are as harsh as what he wrote about “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:1). Specifically he wrote,About this book of the Revelation of JohnI miss more than one thing in this book, and it makes me consider it to be neither apostolic nor prophetic I can in no way detect that the Holy Spirit produced it. Moreover he seems to me to be going much too far when he commends his own book so highly-indeed, more than any of the other sacred books do, though they are much more important-and threatens that if anyone takes away anything from it, God will take away from him, etc.
German Martin Luther Bible
Again, they are supposed to be blessed who keep what is written in this book; and yet no one knows what that is, to say nothing of keeping it. This is just the same as if we did not have the book at all. And there are many far better books available for us to keepMy spirit cannot accommodate itself to this book.
For me this is reason enough not to think highly of it: Christ is neither taught nor known in it” (Luther, M. Preface to the Revelation of St. John, 1522).As the following quotes show, Martin Luther did not care for several books in the Old Testament either:“Job spoke not as it stands written in his book, but only had such thoughts.
It is merely the argument of a fable. It is probable that Solomon wrote and made this book.”“Ecclesiastes ought to have been more complete. There is too much incoherent matter in itSolomon did not, therefore, write this book.”“The book of Esther I toss into the Elbe. I am such an enemy to the book of Esther that I wish it did not exist, for it Judaizes too much”“The history of Jonah is so monstrous that it is absolutely incredible.” (as quoted in O’Hare, p. 202).Furthermore, Martin Luther had little use for the first five books of the Old Testament (sometimes referred to as the Pentateuch):Of the Pentateuch he says: “We have no wish either to see or hear Moses” (Ibid, p. 202).Martin Luther hated the Jews, which may be why he was against Esther, the first five books of the Bible, and other parts of the Hebrew scriptures.Notice that Martin Luther advised his followers,to burn down Jewish schools and synagogues, and to throw pitch and sulphur into the flames; to destroy their homes; to confiscate their ready money in gold and silver; to take from them their sacred books, even the whole Bible; and if that did not help matters, to hunt them of the country like mad dogs (Luther’s Works, vol.
2230-2632 as quoted in Stoddard JL. Rebuilding a Lost Faith, 1922, p.99).Because of his writings, I believe that Martin Luther actually believed more in prima Luther (the primacy of Luther) above sola Scriptura.
And this was also reflected in certain of his doctrines and other practices as well.Those of us in the believe that all 66 books of the Bible are inspired and profitable for doctrine (II Timothy 3:16).