Martin Luther
&
“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”
(Texts and activities for confirmands)
1517 – 2017
500 years anniversary of the Reformation
Revd Susanne Freddin Skovhus
The Lutheran Council of Great Britain
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Dear rectors and confirmands,
This material has been produced to give young people preparing for confirmation the
possibility to learn about Martin Luther, one of the great reformers.
The material contains a short description about Martin Luther’s life and the
importance of his work, his most famous hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” and a
number of activities.
The last two pages, “Teacher’s Pages”, contain a few ideas about working with the
material as well as answers to the activities.
It is my hope that the material will be used preparing English speaking confirmands
for confirmation.
Contents:
Basic Story of Luther – How Can One Be Accepted by God?
“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” (background)
“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” (hymn)
“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” (activity 1 – 2)
“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” (activity 3)
“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” (activity 4)
“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” (activity 5)
Teacher’s pages
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Thanks:
I should like express my thanks to my Danish colleagues, Anna Sofie Bielefeldt
(priest), Benthe Kleon Jeppesen (priest), Doris Kjærgaard (organ player), Inge Lise
Reiche (church- and culture official) and Tove Kallehave Brogaard (priest) as their
material “Konfirmander og Luther” has inspired me to produce the material, of which
the first two pages are a translation of their material.
Revd Susanne Freddin Skovhus,
The Lutheran Council of Great Britain
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BASIC STORY OF LUTHER
How can one be accepted by God?
Martin Luther was born in 1483 in Eisleben in
Germany. His father was a poor miner. His
mother looked after the home and her
children and carried all her firewood home on
her back. The two of them worked hard and
diligently all their lives, and over time Martin
Luther’s father succeeded in becoming a
respected and wealthy man. The children were
raised in an authoritarian way. The parents
wanted the best for them, and the father
decided early on that the young Martin was to
be a lawyer. Therefore, 14-year-old Martin was
sent home to a convent school in Magdeburg.
The following year he entered grammar school
and when he was 18, he began university.
Luther was convinced that God was angry with
him. No matter how many penances he did, he
could not really believe that God would forgive
him.
The years of adolescence were a hard time for
Luther, but he continued his studies diligently.
One day four years later, when he was
returning home after a visit to his parents, he
ran into a terrible thunderstorm. When
lightning struck close to him, he cried out in
terror: “Help me, dear St Anna and I will
become a monk.”
Martin Luther studied diligently to live up to
his parents’ ambitions. Outwardly, he lived as a
cheerful student like any other. But deep
down, he was not happy. As a child, he was
constantly worried if he could live up to his
parents’ many demands. And now, as a
youngster, he was worried if he would be
accepted by God. His fear grew only worse
when he went to church, for in church there
were words as well as pictures showing the
torments the soul had to go through in
purgatory, if you had not done enough good
deeds. The priests always had the last word.
They could impose different penances (such as
saying a number of Ave Marias, walking
pilgrimage to Rome or pray on the holy stairs).
Some priests also sold indulgences - a certain
amount of money could buy people or their
loved ones free for a few hours or days in
purgatory. The motto was: “When the coin in
the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory
springs.”
Of course, Luther regretted his promise as soon
as he had reached home. Many of his friends
discouraged him from becoming a monk, and,
obviously, his father was furious. Nevertheless,
Luther wouldn’t dream of breaking his promise.
He held one last party for his friends, and the
next morning they went with him to the gate of
the Augustinian Monastery, where he knocked
on the gate. From the beginning, convent life
was not what Luther had hoped for. He was still
afraid of God’s wrath, and although he read a
lot in the Bible, it was as if everything he read
was about the righteousness of God punishing
sinners. Eventually, Luther came to hate the
words “righteousness of God”.
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BASIC STORY OF LUTHER
How can one be accepted by God?
Seven years passed in this way. Finally, one day
when Luther again sat reading the Bible,
everything fell into place for him. He discovered
what it said about faith. All people are sinners,
and it would be fair if they were punished for it.
But the punishment, that people deserved, Jesus
took upon on himself on the cross.
And he wrote “The Small Catechism” to be used
for the training of children and young people in
the Christian faith. “The Small Catechism” still
forms the foundation of what we learn when
preparing for confirmation.
In 1521, it became too much for the Pope and
the Catholic Church. Luther was summoned to
appear at the Diet of Worms to explain his
views. He was guaranteed “safe passage” (i.e.
he was free to go home again afterwards), but,
nonetheless, many of Luther’s friends advised
him to stay away. They were afraid of what the
Pope’s people might do. But Luther replied,
that he would go to Worms “even if there were
as many devils there as tiles upon the houses.”
In Worms, sections of Luther’s writings were
read aloud and he was asked if he would be
willing to withdraw them. He would not and
said: “Unless I am convinced by Scripture and
plain reason - I do not accept the authority of
the popes and councils, for they have
contradicted each other - my conscience is
captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will
not recant anything for to go against
conscience is neither right nor safe. God help
me. Amen."
And the reward in Heaven, that Jesus has
earned, is given by God to people who believe in
Jesus. Jesus and man exchange places. We just
have to believe in Jesus. Therefore it was not
necessary to be afraid of God. It was not
necessary to buy indulgences from the clergy to
be free from purgatory. The only thing needed is
faith in Jesus Christ
Luther found all this in Paul’s Letter to the
Romans. And later he found it everywhere in the
Bible – that which he until now had been unable
to see. When Luther discovered this, his life
changed completely. He was fully convinced that
all people can be accepted by God. Now, they
just had to learn about it.
It would be necessary for the Bible to be
translated so that everyone could read the
words in their native language. And it would also
be necessary to have a discussion with the
priests and the Pope in Rome who frighten
people with their talk about penance and
purgatory. It was necessary to abolish
indulgences which were merely a cash cow for
shoveling money for something Jesus really had
paid for.
Luther was allowed to travel from Worms
again, but on the way home he was attacked
and captured. It turned out to be some of
Luther’s friends who wanted to make sure that
he was safe. He was taken to the Wartburg
Castle where he lived for a long time. In
Wartburg, he translated the New Testament
into German – so that all people could read the
Bible themselves and see that Luther was right:
God is will accept anyone who will accept Jesus
Christ and what he has done for people.
Luther’s ideas spread in the following years.
The churches in many parts of Germany
became Lutheran – and the same happened in
years to come in many countries in Northern
Europe.
Luther, therefore, wrote 95 theses – 95
sentences – and put them up on the church door
in Wittenberg. This took place 500 years ago, on
October 31, 1517, and aroused wild agitation.
Everyone wanted to hear more about Luther
and what he meant, and he got busy publishing
sermons and writings, in which he elaborated on
his views. He also wrote a
number of hymns to enable people to sing and
worship in their mother tongue.
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A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Background
Medieval castles were built as mighty fortresses to be as defensive as possible. If someone
were to secure himself, his family and his wealth, then the best he could do would be to
build a fortress with thick stone walls, a place that would neither burn nor topple in a
strong storm. Often fortresses were placed on inaccessible sites to make it difficult for
enemies to make their way into the fortress. They could also be placed behind a moat that
was difficult to cross.
The Wartburg is a castle originally built in the middle ages. It is situated on a 410 meters
(1,350 ft) precipice overlooking the town of Eisenach in the state of Thuringia, Germany.
Luther was kept hidden in this castle for a year while he translated the New Testament into
German.
Background - the hymn
With Martin Luther the church became a singing church. Singing hymns became a part of
worship. Luther wrote a number of hymns himself. He did not see himself as a writer or
artist, but he wanted ordinary people, who did not understand Latin, which was the
language of the Bible, to be able to understand the Bible. Therefore, he rewrote texts from
the Bible. The Psalm Chapter 46 from the Old Testament, for example, he thus turned into
the German hymn called “Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott”. It has been translated into English
at least 70 times and is known as “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”.
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A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Written:
c. 1529
Text:
by Martin Luther
Language:
German
Based on:
Psalm 46
Melody:
"Ein feste Burg" by Martin Luther
Published: c. 1531
Source: Wikipedia.
"Ein feste Burg" with Luther's signature.
1.
A mighty fortress is our God,
A sword and shield victorious;
He breaks the cruel oppressor’s rod
And wins salvation glorious.
The old satanic foe
Has sworn to work us woe!
With craft and dreadful might
He arms himself to fight.
On earth he has no equal.
3.
Though hordes of devils fill the land
All threat’ning to devour us,
We tremble not, unmoved we stand;
They cannot overpow’r us.
Let this world’s tyrant rage;
In battle we’ll engage!
His might is doomed to fail;
God’s judgment must prevail!
One little word subdues him.
2.
No strength of ours can match his might!
We would be lost, rejected.
But now a champion comes to fight,
Whom God himself elected.
You ask who this may be?
The Lord of hosts is he!
Christ Jesus, mighty Lord,
God's only Son, adored.
He holds the field victorious.
4.
God’s word forever shall abide,
No thanks to foes, who fear it;
For God himself fights by our side
With weapons of the Spirit.
Were they to take our house,
Goods, honor, child, or spouse,
Though life be wrenched away,
They cannot win the day.
The Kingdom’s ours forever.
Martin Luther, 1483-1546
© Lutheran Book of Worship, 229, Augsburg Publishing
House, Minneapolis, and Board of Publication, Lutheran
Church in America, Philadelphia, 1982.
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A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
(Pair work or groups of three)
Activity 1
 Write synonyms.
mighty:
hosts:
fortress:
adored:
oppressor’s:
devour:
rod:
doomed:
salvation:
prevail:
foe:
subdues:
woe:
abide:
rejected:
wrenched away:
Choose from these synonyms:
condemned - defeats - endure - enemy - fortification - multitude - pain - powerful - praised remain - rescue - snatched away - stick - swallow - turned down - tyrant’s.
Activity 2
(Pair work or groups of three)
 A. Find and write positive and negative words in “A mighty Fortress is our God”
 B. Discuss whether you think the words are positive or negative and explain why.
Positive
Positive
Negative
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Negative
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Activity 3
(Work in class)
 Can you find places in “Psalm Chapter 46” that might have inspired Luther when he
wrote “A Mighty Fortress Is Our Good”?
Psalm Chapter 46
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
1. God is our refuge and strength, a very
present help in trouble.
2. Therefore will not we fear, though the
earth be removed, and though the
mountains be carried into the midst of
the sea;
3. Though the waters thereof roar and be
troubled, though the mountains shake
with the swelling thereof. Selah.
4. There is a river, the streams whereof
shall make glad the city of God, the
holy place of the tabernacles of the
most High.
5. God is in the midst of her; she shall not
be moved: God shall help her, and
that right early.
6. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were
moved: he uttered his voice, the earth
melted.
7. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of
Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
8. Come, behold the works of the LORD,
what desolations he hath made in the
earth.
9. He maketh wars to cease unto the end
of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and
cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth
the chariot in the fire.
10. Be still, and know that I am God: I will
be exalted among the heathen, I will be
exalted in the earth.
11. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of
Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
A mighty fortress is our God,
A sword and shield victorious;
He breaks the cruel oppressor’s rod
And wins salvation glorious.
The old satanic foe
Has sworn to work us woe!
With craft and dreadful might
He arms himself to fight.
On earth he has no equal.
No strength of ours can match his might!
We would be lost, rejected.
But now a champion comes to fight,
Whom God himself elected.
You ask who this may be?
The Lord of hosts is he!
Christ Jesus, mighty Lord,
God's only Son, adored.
He holds the field victorious.
Though hordes of devils fill the land
All threat’ning to devour us,
We tremble not, unmoved we stand;
They cannot overpow’r us.
Let this world’s tyrant rage;
In battle we’ll engage!
His might is doomed to fail;
God’s judgment must prevail!
One little word subdues him.
God’s word forever shall abide,
No thanks to foes, who fear it;
For God himself fights by our side
With weapons of the Spirit.
Were they to take our house,
Goods, honor, child, or spouse,
Though life be wrenched away,
They cannot win the day.
The Kingdom’s ours forever.
© King James Bible
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A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Martin Luthers “Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott“ in his hymn book “Geistliche Lieder“, Wittenberg 1533.
Activity 4
(Talk in class)
Talk about these questions:
1. Have you ever been frightened of
something? What?
10. Can you find examples in the hymn that
shows that God protects us?
2. What did you do when you were scared?
3. Did anybody help you?
11. Who does God fight in the hymn to protect
people?
4. Do you think adults can be scared too? Why
or why not?
12. Can you find examples in the hymn showing
that God is so powerful that he can protect
people?
5. A refuge is a place where a person can go
when he or she is experiencing a difficult
time. Have you ever needed a refuge?
13. How do you feel about being protected by
God?
6. Why do you think the hymn is called
“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”?
14. The hymn is about the struggle between
good and evil. Do you think there is such a
struggle today? What/why?
7. Can you find expressions in the hymn
showing that its theme is “battle”- and is
almost “warlike”?
15. What did you learn about Luther from
reading the texts and working with “A
Mighty Fortress Is Our God”?
8. Can you find examples that tell you about
“protection” and “salvation”?
16. Why do you think that Luther is an
important reformer?
9. We should not fear because God is our
refuge and strength. God is the one who
takes care of us. Why do you think this is?
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Activity 5
 If you have time, you can do this Martin Luther crossword.
Across:
4. Luther wanted the … to be translated so everybody could read it.
7. The town Luther was sent to when he was 14.
9. Luther put up 95 … on the church door in Wittenberg.
10. Luther began ... when he was 18.
12. When Luther was young, he thought God was … with him.
15. Luther’s father was a …
16. Fortification.
17. On returning from visiting his parents, Luther ran into a terrible …
Down:
1. In Worms, Luther is supposed to have said, “Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me …”.
2. Powerful.
3. It was believed that you had to go through … if you had not done enough good deeds.
5. The thunderstorm frightened him and he promised to become a …
6. In 1521, Luther was told to go to … to explain his ideas.
8. On his way home from Worms Luther was …
11. 500 years … in 1517, Luther put up 95 theses on the church door in Wittenberg.
13. The town where Luther was born.
14. The country where Luther lived.
16. Enemy.
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Teacher’s pages
Introductory comments
Aim
The aim of this material is to give the candidates for confirmation an understanding of Luther’s view
of the world, to acquaint them with the most well-known hymn of his and to give them a chance to
see current aspects in their world when reading about Luther and reading or listening to the hymn.
The confirmands will surely sense the struggle between good and evil, which is also a part the world
today. The focus will depend on one’s theology.
Working with "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God",
When working with "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God", one of the focuses is on the image of battle as
it can be seen in many places in the text. The word “battle” is not to be understood as the historical
battle of the reformers of the Reformation, but existentially. The fact that the hymn is based on an
Old Testament psalm can be further exploited, depending on how much you want to make out of
the fact that Luther rewrote biblical texts.
There are many versions of “A mighty fortress is our God”, also in English, and some vary quite a
lot. The version we work with in this material is from © Lutheran Book of Worship, 229, Augsburg
Publishing House, Minneapolis, and Board of Publication, Lutheran Church in America, Philadelphia,
1982.
This material exists both as a Pdf file and a Word file. If you wish to use a different version of the
hymn, you can replace the Word version in this material with your preferred version. It is also
possible in this way to change or adapt the 5 activities, if you wish to do so.
It is possible to listen to versions of the hymn on www.youtube.com
Activities
1.
2.
3.
4.
It is suggested that you first go through the “Basic Story of Martin Luther" with your candidates.
Sing or listen to "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God".
Work with the activities. Note that activity 3 will need quite a bit of teacher’s guidance.
Sing or listen to "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God".
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Answers
Activity 1
mighty – powerful, fortress – fortification, oppressor’s – tyrant’s, rod – stick, salvation – rescue, foe
– enemy, woe – pain, rejected - turned down, hosts – multitude, adored – praised, devour –
swallow, doomed – condemned, prevail – endure, subdues – defeats, abide – remain, wrenched
away – snatched away.
Activity 2
 This task lends itself to many different answers. Let the pupils explain whether they think the
words are positive or negative.
 Also talk with the pupils about the general vocabulary of the hymn, bearing in mind that the
hymn by some are called “The battle hymn of the Reformation”.
Activity 3
Mighty, fortress, God, victorious, win, salvation, glorious, craft, strength, champion, elect, Lord,
hosts, Christ, Jesus, adore, engage, Spirit, honor, life, Kingdom.
Negative words:
Sword, shield, cruel, oppressor, satanic, foe, woe, dreadful, lose (lost), reject, Devil, threaten,
devour, tremble, tyrant, rage, battle, doom, fail, subdue, fear, weapon.
Activity 4
Suggestions:
 Go through Psalm Chapter 46 with the pupils.
 Afterwards ask them if they can find places in “Psalm Chapter 46” that might have inspired
Luther when he wrote “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”.
Activity 5
Answer:
ACROSS:
DOWN:
4. BIBLE
7. MAGDEBURG
9. THESES
10. UNIVERSITY
12. ANGRY
15. MINER
16. FORTRESS
17. THUNDERSTORM.
1. GOD
2. MIGHTY
3. PURGATORY
5. MONK
6. WORMS
8. ATTACKED
11. AGO
13. EISLEBEN
14. GERMANY
16. FOE
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