Page 17 - 07 Luther's Separation from Rome

life. He was no longer the mere monk or

professor, but the authorized herald of the

Bible. He had been called as a shepherd to

feed the flock of God, that were hungering

and thirsting for the truth. He firmly declared

that Christians should receive no other

doctrines than those which rest on the

authority of the Sacred Scriptures. These

words struck at the very foundation of papal

supremacy. They contained the vital principle

of the Reformation.

Luther saw the danger of exalting human

theories above the word of God. He fearlessly

attacked the speculative infidelity of the

schoolmen and opposed the philosophy and

theology which had so long held a controlling

influence upon the people. He denounced

such studies as not only worthless but

pernicious, and sought to turn the minds of