Take a Look Inside the House Where Martin Luther Lived and Studied
Congregational singing had all but disappeared from the Church in Luther's day but he thought it was unbiblical for the masses not to sing and revived this practice. To this day, one of the most beloved hymns of the Christian church is "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," which Luther wrote. The text of the first line of that hymn in German, "Ein Feste Burg Ist Unser Gott" encircles the top of the tower of All Saints Church in Wittenberg, also known as Castle Church, where on Oct. 31, 1517, it is widely believed that he posted his famous 95 theses to the door, objecting to the practice of selling indulgences.
As The Gospel Coalition noted earlier this year, Luther recognized the power of singing in worship.
"Music is a fair and lovely gift of God ... Next after theology, I give to music the highest place and the greatest honor. I would not exchange what little I know of music for something great. Experience proves that, next to the Word of God, only music deserves to be extolled as the mistress and governess of the feelings of the human heart. We know that to the devils, music is distasteful and insufferable," he once said.
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Pictured above is one of the first hymnbooks of Luther's era for use in services.
