Reflections of a New Missionary - Lutheran Society for Missiology

64 Missio Apostolica
Luther On Islam
Anthony Steinbronn
Introduction
What were the views of Dr. Martin Luther on the religion of Islam What was his
advice concerning the emerging presence of Islam into the European continent What
missiological insights and implications can be derived from Luther's missiological theory
and practice Finally, what missiological errors did Luther commit which should be
avo~ded by God's people today as they seek to bear Christian witness toward those who
adhere to the Islamic faith
As early as 1518, Dr. Martin Luther had identified the Islamic faith as the "scourge
of God." For the rest of his life Luther believed that the Muslims were God's punishment
upon a sinful Christendom who had, among other sins,' tolerated the papal abomination.*
The Muslim was Germany's schoolmaster who must correct and teach the German
people to repent of their sins and to fear God.
By 1541, Luther's burning question is "how can God be patient any longer" Just as
God had punished the generation of Noah for its wickedness, God must now protect His
honor and divinity by punishing the thankless and ungrateful German people.'
Biblical References Concerning the Origin and Mature of the Islamic Faith
Martin Luther, having spent most of his life lecturing on the Old Testament, derived his
Biblical understanding of the origin and nature of Islam from Daniel 7 and Daniel's
dream concerning the four beasts. In Daniel's vision, each beast represented a kingdom
with the last beast signifying the Roman Empire. In fulfillment of Daniel 7:20, Luther
identified the Islamic faith with the small horn which had displaced the kingdoms of
Egypt, Greece, and Asia and who makes war against God's people. Moreover, the human
eyes represented Islam's sacred book, the Koran, which contained only human wisdom.
The mouth signified the many blasphemies that the prophet Mohammed uttered against
the Christian faith.
Rev. Anthony Steinbronn is pastor of ImmanueI Lutheran Church, South ~akota, and
was formerly a missionary in South Africa.
' Luther observed many sins among the German people which warranted His wrath and punishment such as
the: (1) sln of ingratitude towards God who had enlightened the Gennans with the true Word of God and had
freed Them from the papacy; (2) toleration of wicked sects and heresies such as Muntzer, Zwingli and the
Anabaptists; (3) worship of the god Mammon, along with drunkenness and greed; and (4) the split within
Christendom which had provoked His wrath.
Mark U. Edwards Jr., Lulher's Lasf Battles: Politics and Polemics 1531-46 (Ithica: Comell University Press,
1983). p.98.
' Martin Luther. Lufher's Works (St Louis: Concordia, 1955-1986). 43:223. Luther's Works will hereafter be
abbreviated as LW.