Argula von Stauffer and Katherine Zell

Verse: Matthew 6:26 Quote: "I am distressed that our princes take the Word of God no more seriously than a cow does a game of chess." (Argula von Stauffer) One of Luther's most outspoken defenders is Argula von Stauffer (1492 - 1563). But in the eyes of Catholic opposition, she is an "insolent daughter of Eve." Born into landed nobility in Bavaria, she marries a nobleman with whom she bears a daughter and three sons. For more than four decades she risks her life and the well being of her family for the cause of the Reformation. She refuses to be silenced, and in a letter to Catholic authorities, she demands, "What have Luther and Melanchthon taught save the Word of God?" She taunts them for condemning him but not refuting him. In 1523, as a young mother, she boldly defends her views in a debate before the Diet of Nurnberg. The German princes, however, pay her little heed. "I am distressed," she laments, "that our princes take the Word of God no more seriously than a cow does a game of chess." Persecuted not only by state officials but also by her husband, whose political career and very livelihood are in jeopardy because of her activities, she is aware of the risk: "I understand that my husband will be deposed from his office. I can't help it. God will feed my children as he feeds the birds and will clothe them as the lilies of the field." Martin Luther, writing to a friend, clearly recognizes her sacrifice, calling her "a singular instrument of Christ."

Your Salvation Is Secure

“Lead me not into temptation; I can find the way myself.” —Church marquee

“Forbidden fruit creates many jams.” —Church marquee

Hundreds of years ago, one of the great church fathers, Martin Luther, patterned his whole day around ensuring that he didn’t sin. He was terrified that if he sinned, he would lose his salvation. Every evening he’d wrack his brain, trying to remember if he did something, said something, or thought something sinful.

Have you ever done that? It’s pretty miserable just to think about, isn’t it? If you believe that by sinning you can lose your salvation, tons of questions come up. How many sins do you have to commit to get booted out of the family? Or is it qualitative? Is there a “badness scale” of sin on which we can rate ourselves? Where is murder? Rape? Suicide? Adultery? Child abuse? Lust? Stealing? What about laziness or procrastination? How do we know if something is really a sin or not?