The Luther Story with Prof. Craig Atwood on Homebrewed Christianity

Martin Luther

Back in 2008, Tripp and Chadd published a great interview with Professor Craig Atwood about Martin Luther and the reformation movement he began.

I always enjoy going back and listening to this episode ever Reformation Day – and today is no different.

If you’ve read my novel, St. Peter’s Brewery (only $.99 for Kindle now – hint, hint), you may recall reading some bits and pieces from this interview in my book as well.

Kim suggested that most in the group knew her story and were familiar with the issues between her and her dad. She didn’t elaborate.

“But fast forward to this last week,” Kim said. “I was listening to my friend’s podcast, ‘The Homebrewed Christianity.’ How’s that for a shameless plug? And on this podcast, they were talking about Martin Luther and how he struggled with grace.

As Kim continued, Jimmy began to rack his brain trying to remember where he had heard the name Martin Luther before. He skimmed the old sanctuary and noticed several of the plaques on the wall. It was then he remembered the plaque near the doors of the brewery and the quote from Martin Luther.

He made a mental note to Google the quote and its author when he returned home.

“Luther struggled with works and grace,” Kim said as Jimmy tuned back in to her story. “I think the more he studied scripture, the more he believed in God’s grace. And as my friends pointed out — despite our deepest beliefs about God and our faith, there are very few ‘Thou Shalt Not’s’ in Christianity. It seems to me that almost everything is permitted. Even when something is forbidden, such as the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, God still offers grace and provides a way out. The message for followers of The Way is not a set of rules on how to appear holy. It’s the message that a Holy God has made sinful people — all of us — Holy.

The Way is not about what one does or doesn’t do.

It’s about what was done for us. Because none of us could ever do what is asked of us.”

Kim stopped to gather her thoughts.

“So as I’m listening to these guys talk about grace and how followers of The Way should not only celebrate because of the freedom God’s grace gives us, but that we should also love and offer that same grace to those who might not have done what we would have wanted,” Kim stopped and wiped a tear from her eye. “And I began to think about all that my father did to me. And how he hurt me and did horrible awful things to me…”

Kim’s voice trailed off and her single tear soon turned into a stream. She tried to compose herself and finish her story between deep breaths.

So pour yourself a glass of your favorite drink, gather around your stereo with some good friends and give the podcast a listen.

“Whenever the devil pesters you, at once seek out the company of friends, drink more, joke and jest, or engage in some form of merriment.” – Martin Luther