Though I do not care to credit just one individual for such an event as the Reformation, Luther was indeed, "in the right place at the right time" in the history of the Christian Church. God was able, at this time, to use such a man as he to perform an amazing altering of main stream Christian thought and practice. Not a change only to last a decade or two, but one that would last for centuries. Millions of people would be ultimately affected by this man's willingness to be used by the master.
Cairns" opening statement intrigued me when he said that; "not enough emphasis has been given to the Reformation as a religious movement that took place, for the most part, among people of Germanic stock in northern and western Europe." You see, I am of Germanic stock. My ancestors migrated to North America from Germany in the 19th century. So any history to be read and studied, especially Christian history, about Germany is most interesting to me.
I am glad for the fact that Cairns did not paint a picture of Luther as being more than human. There is one man to be placed on the pedestal of life and that man is Jesus Christ. All other humans are frail and fallible and prone to make mistakes. I particularly like the mentioning of Luther becoming so frightened by a thunderstorm that he feared for his life. It may be that he was a bit superstitious himself. Cairns was careful to note the fact that Luther's mother was "pious but superstitious." Also that she "inculcated many of the superstitions of their class in him." There are many people yet today who still make promises to God when having a close brush with death.
It was interesting to note that Luther did not want to dissolve the Roman Catholic Church, but only wanted to challenge certain practices and doctrines that became corrupt through fallible man. However, the day he posted his Ninety-five Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg was indeed the boldest move any man could make towards such a giant.
