Luther Hymn: A Mighty Fortress is Our God

February 18, 2008: Commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther
LSB #656

A mighty fortress is our God, a trusty shield and weapon; He helps us free from every need that hath us now overtaken. The old evil foe now means deadly woe; deep guile and great might are his dread arms in fight; on earth is not his equal.

With might of ours can naught be done, soon were our loss effected; but for us fights the valiant One, whom God Himself elected. Ask ye, Who is this? Jesus Christ it is, of sabaoth Lord, and there's no other God; He holds the field forever.

Though devils all the world should fill, all eager to devour us, we tremble not, we fear no ill; they cannot overpower us. This world's prince may still scowl fierce as he will, he can harm us none. He's judged; the deed is done; one little word can fell him.

The Word they still shall let remain nor any thanks have for it; He's by our side upon the plain with His good gifts and Spirit. And take they our life, goods, fame, child, and wife, though these all be gone, our victory has been won; the Kingdom ours remaineth.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Mighty
• Fortress
• our
• God
• ein
• feste
• burg
• Martin
• Luther
• hymn
• lutheran
• reformation
• CUW
• psalm
• 46

[DrewOchsner]

@musico747 The Catechism of the Catholic Church has little Divinely authoritative evidence to stand on. Theologians such as Luther, Melanchthon, etc. established the Book of Concord, which has what the Catechism of the Catholic Church does not (and could not) have. The documents that make up the BoC have clear evidence and proofs from Holy Scripture for every singe article of faith. We teach what we know to be the Truth, because our all of our doctrine stands most firmly the Word of God.

[musico747]

@DrewOchsner Our Doctrine is laid out very neatly as well.  The Catechism is fine, but it also dumbs a lot of things down for the common man. If you're really interested in what Catholics teach, you should purchase the book Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma by Ludwig Ott. It's a must have and it will dispel a lot of these false conceptions of the Church. God Bless!

[Transcriptionsforwor]

I LOVE THIS HYMN!!!  I love seeing how others WORSHIP OUR LORD AND SAVIOR!!!!! THANKS!!!

[gasness1]

@TheLordAwaked Thank you for eventually saying something about the Gospel. Meanwhile, check out this hymn! It's entirely about the Gospel!

[gasness1]

@TheLordAwaked It's also a Christian symbol, which trumps Baal. Duh. We use it the way you use a white dove, which is a symbol for Aphrodite, the goddess of sex.

[TheWintergreen01]

I believe that this is the original hymn before Bach flattened it. It was one of the few times that he really goofed.

[Nonie46]

@DrewOchsner Who taught you that logic? Belief in God is personal! It cannot be dictated by the Pope or Martin Luther. If I follow your argument then you disown Martin Luther. He hated the idea of Catholics buying indulgences! If you are trying to sell out your BOC what difference does it have from the Catholics selling indulgences?

[Ascaidh]

Mutual respect goes a long way. As is it's a semi option in the near future it will be a requirement.

[musico747]

@augustinian2017 Well thanks for the information.  I'll have to check those sources out soon.

[augustinian2017]

@musico747 Likewise, it is possible to get BCC in the original languages. An electronic version is available from Northwestern Publishing House for $50. As a basic system of reformation doctrine, Melancthon's 1521 Loci Communes is also excellent, and the crux of Luther's teaching on Justification, outside the BCC, can be had from his Lectures/Commentary on Galatians. This was the book that moved my father to Lutheranism (after considering the Catholic church).

[augustinian2017]

@musico747 Thank you--when my funds allow it, I'll buy it. Likewise, if you would like to know where Lutherans (specifically Missouri Synod) stand and why, (as DrewOschner said) the best place to look is the Book of Concord with a Bible in hand to check its references (Patristic references are typically quoted in text when mentioned). There are several English translations available, the Kolb edition being a good scholarly edition, Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions a good layman's edition.

[musico747]

@augustinian2017 It's vigorous. It includes key Latin phrases, references to scripture, early Church Fathers, and other documents that are quite frankly over my head. It includes the fundamental dogmas, hence the title, along with an explanation of the background and errors. If you want to learn definitively what the Church teaches, buy the book. Again it's Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma by Ludwig Ott. I think it's published in both German and English.