On Reformation Day we think of Luther posting the Ninety-Five Theses on the Wittenburg Door on October 31, 1517.  As the Ninety-Five Theses were printed and circulated throughout Northern Germany, Luther’s fame spread, and his concerns were well-received by many.

But they were not well received in Rome, or by the Holy Roman Emperor, and he was ordered to appear before the Diet of Worms April 17, 1521.  At first Luther looked forward to this hearing, believing he would get an opportunity to explain and defend his views.  But at the Diet he was informed that there would be no discussion or debate, because the Church had already condemned his writings as heretical.  The only question was, would Luther recant his writings, or would he stand by them and be condemned as a heretic?

Luther was given the opportunity to consider this overnight, but the next day he told the Diet that his conscience was bound by the Word of God, and

“Unless I am convinced by proofs from Scriptures or by plain and clear reasons and arguments, I cannot and will not retract, for it is neither safe nor wise  to do anything against conscience.  Here I stand.  I can do no other.  God help me. Amen.”

The Emperor issued the Edict of Worms, declaring Luther an outlaw and commanding all who saw Luther to capture or kill him.

But Frederick the Wise, the Elector or Prince of Saxony, supported Luther and essentially told the Emperor, “That ain’t gonna happen, not in Saxony while I am Prince.”  And to protect Luther, he staged a fake kidnapping, taking Luther to Wartburg Castle where he was known as Junker Jorg, or Knight George.  He remained in protective custody at Wartburg Castle for a year, during which time he translated the New Testament into German.

So what does this have to do with the 2 Kingdoms Ministry?  Simply this: Some falsely believe Luther stood for absolute obedience to civil authority.  But Luther repeatedly said the opposite, including in the Augsburg Confession which says “Christians must obey their own government and laws, except when such command them to sin.  Then they must obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29)”

But interposition – lower government officials resisting the higher authorities when those higher authorities have become tyrannical and oppressive – is exactly what the Elector Frederick did when he rescued Luther.  When Prince Frederick defied the Holy Roman Emperor and took Luther into protective custody, he practiced interposition, and by so doing he saved Luther’s life and ministry.

Let us learn from Luther and Prince Frederick as we contemplate the 2 Kingdoms.  We respect civil authority and give it our conditional obedience.  But we worship only God, and we give our unconditional obedience only to Him.

 Col. John Eidsmoe