Luther’s Words

Most college students have encountered the story of Martin Luther (1483-1546), a monk, professor of theology, and eventual church reformer, who took up the issue of church “indulgences” (a practice in which wealthy individuals could have their sins forgiven in exchange for a large sum of money). Excommunicated from the Catholic Church for his views, Luther went on to found the Lutheran church which began the Reformation and the Protestant Church as it exists today. In 1517 Luther wrote 95 “theses” (or very short logical claims) questioning the practice of selling Indulgences, and depending on the version of the story that circulates, either posted them to his then Bishop or nailed them to the door of All Saints’ Church in Wittenberg, Germany. A modern translation of his theses into English is available here (I particularly like number 92; we could all take it to heart!).

Musically, Luther advocated for a communal practice of singing hymns—he wanted the congregation to participate together and to have their own relationship to God in music as well as through prayer. In 1524, Luther and a couple of collaborators published a short hymnal intended to foster precisely such singing. You can see one of the hymns from that collection here. Notice that just the single melody is given (without harmony), and that multiple verses are sung to the same tune.

Luther frequently commented on music, both its role in theology and in the church service and in the power of music as a practice. Several books have been written about Luther’s musical writings, and if you google “Luther on music” more than 95 million hits are returned. Here, taken from an article by Robin A Leaver, is one of the most cited statements (the full article can be read here); Luther wrote this letter to the composer Ludwig Senil on October 4, 1530:

I plainly judge, and do not hesitate to affirm, that except for theology there is no art that could be put on the same level with music, since except for theology [music] alone produces what otherwise only theology can do, namely, a calm and joyful disposition.... This is the reason why the prophets did not make use of any art except music; when setting forth their theology they did it not as geometry, not as arithmetic, not as astronomy, but as music, so that they held theology and music most tightly connected, and proclaimed truth through Psalms and songs.

This claim: that music is on par with theology is a large and important one for someone whose life was dedicated to a religious calling.