April 28, 1521—Scripture Above Reason

On April 28, 1521, only days after Martin Luther’s stand at the Diet of Worms, he wrote in a letter, “The authority of Scripture is greater than the comprehension of the whole of man’s reason.” With church authorities and the Holy Roman Empire pressing him to recant, Luther anchored his conscience not in shifting opinions, but in God’s written Word. This conviction did not despise learning; it placed learning in its proper place—reason serving revelation, not ruling it.

Luther’s statement echoed a simple biblical priority: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). When the human mind reaches its limits, God’s Word does not fail; it steadies, corrects, and leads.

The Diet of Worms—Conscience Under Pressure

The Diet of Worms (Worms, Germany) brought Luther face-to-face with immense power: Emperor Charles V, princes of the empire, and church representatives. Asked to retract his writings, Luther appealed to Scripture and clear reason, refusing to deny what he believed God had spoken. His courage was not bravado; it was a sober fear of God. “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29) captured the moral gravity of the moment.

This was heroism shaped by humility: a man willing to lose reputation, safety, and even life rather than treat God’s truth as negotiable.

After Worms—Protection, Risk, and Fruit

Soon after, Luther was declared an outlaw by the Edict of Worms (May 1521). For his protection, Elector Frederick the Wise arranged Luther’s hidden stay at Wartburg Castle near Eisenach. There, in isolation and danger, Luther labored for the church’s good, translating the New Testament into German so ordinary people could hear God’s voice in their own language.

His example strengthened believers to trust that Scripture is clear and true, even when obedience is costly. God’s Word still guides the faithful: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).