Book Review: Martin Luther - What Should I Do?
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Martin Luther - What Should I Do?
Book Author: Catherine MacKenzie
Review Author: Christina
Byford Free Reformed Church
Pro Ecclesia Bookshop
Martin Luther - What Should I Do?
By Catherine MacKenzie
Illustrated by Rita Ammassari
24 pages
What Should I Do? Catherine MacKenzie writes a simple version of the story of Martin Luther and the Reformation. Written and illustrated for children, this book is only 24 pages with script and illustrations to aid children’s memory to learn about how the Lord guided and directed Martin Luther’s life as an instrument for the reformation. It is cleverly written and illustrated for two levels of learning: Read to Me (ages 4-5) and Read myself (ages 6-7).
The story starts: ‘Martin Luther was born in Germany in the year 1483.’ At fifteen years of age, Martin went to boarding school where he was taught in the Latin language and educated about the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church. From boarding school, Martin’s parents sent him to university as they wanted Martin to be rich and important. But God had other plans. One day while travelling, Martin was caught in a storm and narrowly escaped a streak of lightning. Frightened and shaking with fear he made a vow to God to become a monk if only God would spare his life. The story continues about his life as a monk. All the studying he was doing as a monk was not satisfying the questions he had about how he could get to heaven. Encouraged by Johan von Staupitz to study the Bible himself he came across the words: “He who through faith is righteous shall live”. Excited Martin continued to study God's Word. Unlike the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church, one could not buy a place in heaven and no one was even good enough to go to heaven.
However, Martin realised, "Jesus Christ was perfect and His death had purchased forgiveness of sins for all those who trusted in Him.”
On October 1517, he wrote 95 theses about the wrong teachings of Rome and nailed these sheets of paper to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. The Reformation had begun.
The Reformation: God using his children to preserve the truth of His Word. Those truths allow us to this day to live as His liberated children in Christ through grace alone.
Enjoy reading this book with your children. Like me, you will enjoy recalling the Almighty Fortress production put on by the John Calvin Christian College from a few years ago.
Christina Pleiter Byford
This book review was organised by Pro Ecclesia Bookshop in conjunction with the Women’s League. This book is available from Pro Ecclesia bookshop, Armadale; Providence Christian books, Albany; (and Rockingham on request). Book reviews may also be accessed on our website https://frca.org.au/womensleague/