Our Mighty Fortress

Today's entry was written by the BioLogos Editorial Team. You can read more about what BioLogos believes here.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in danger.”

- Psalm 46:1

Today is Reformation Day, an occasion celebrated by many Christians across the world. It marks the anniversary of that fateful day in 1517 when Martin Luther, a Catholic monk and professor of theology, posted his 95 Theses on a church door in Wittenberg, Germany. Though the event sparked the Protestant Reformation, Luther didn’t set out to divide the church; rather he aimed to make it better by arguing against corruptions like the aggressive marketing and sale of indulgences. We all are, through Chirst, responsible for carrying on this great “Lutheran” tradition. The Church is in need of constant renewal, as indeed are each of us. Five hundred years later, we alongside all followers of Jesus still sing with gusto: “God’s truth abideth still. His kingdom is forever.”

A Mighty Fortress is Our God

Martin Luther

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.