The Anxious Monk
Erfurt
The storm, the vow, the cloister
Luther enrolled at the University of Erfurt in 1501. In 1505 he began to study law, at his father's wish. On July 2, 1505, he was caught in a violent thunderstorm on the road near the village of Stotternheim. Thrown to the ground by a bolt of lightning that struck close by, he cried out in terror to St. Anne, the patron saint of miners: “Help, St. Anne! I will become a monk.” Two weeks later, to his father's fury, he kept the vow and entered Erfurt's Augustinian monastery.
The years that followed were not peaceful ones. Luther threw himself into monastic life: fasting, confession, long hours of prayer. He wanted to be certain where he stood with God, and the certainty never came. He confessed constantly, sometimes for hours, terrified of sin he couldn't even name. It was here, under the guidance of his mentor Johann von Staupitz, that the questions began to form that would eventually take him to Wittenberg.
Play this stop
Same story, three ways to learn it.
At the kitchen table
A 10-minute guide for parents, grandparents, and mentors
You don't need the answers. Just ask, and listen.
“God, help us be honest with each other tonight. Amen.”
Caught in a terrible storm, Luther promised to become a monk. Have you ever made a promise because you were scared?
Listen for
Fear-promises are very human. It opens a door to talk about God's promises, which don't depend on ours.For years Luther worried he could never be good enough for God. What would you tell him?
If they say “try harder”
Luther tried that. What finally helped was learning that God's love is a gift, not a grade.What does this mean for us this week?
Why this question
Luther's own question. Maybe: we don't have to earn love in this family either.
Share: Tell about a time you felt you weren't good enough, and someone showed you grace.