The reformers didn't fail, the Roman Church refused to accept that they were/are in error - if they "failed" then I guess you should become Roman Catholic.
"...Roman Church refused to accept that they were/are in error...". Therefore, Luther failed.
"...if they "failed" then I guess you should become Roman Catholic." Why would you guess I should become RC? Nuts!
How was Luther despicable? Yes, there is documentation, he was instrumental in making known widespread that salvation is by grace alone thru faith alone, and pointed men to Christ as their savior. I suppose there are those who dislike you as well, thank God people's opinions aren't what justifies, but instead it is faith in Christ.
Salvation is a result of God's choice. Being born-again.
(Eph 2:8 KJV) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:
Luther didn't author that in order to "give cover to Hitler." Hitler used many things for cover, and Hitler happily twisted whatever he wanted for his own benefit, sadly Luther's sinful writings about the Jews was used to justify a very evil act - I guess it just goes to show our sins aren't without consequences for others.
"Luther didn't author that in order to "give cover to Hitler."" The fact is it did.
Quotes From "Of Jews and Their Lies" by Martin Luther
First, that their synagogues be burned down, and that all who are able toss in sulphur and pitch; it would be good if someone could also throw in some hellfire. That would demonstrate to God our serious resolve and be evidence to all the world that it was in ignorance that we tolerated such houses, in which the Jews have reviled God, our dear Creator and Father, and his Son most shamefully up till now, but that we have now given them their due reward.
Second, that all their books
their prayer books, their Talmudic writings, also the entire Bible, be taken from them, not leaving them one leaf, and that these be preserved for those who may be converted. For they use all of these books to blaspheme the Son of God, that is, God the Father himself, Creator of heaven and earth, as was said above; and they will never use them differently.
Third, that they be forbidden on pain of death to praise God, to give thanks, to pray, and to teach publicly among us and in our country. They may do this in their own country or wherever they can without our being obliged to hear it or know it. The reason for this prohibition is that their praise, thanks, prayer, and doctrine are sheer blasphemy, cursing, and idolatry, because their heart and mouth call God the Father *Hebel Vorik* as they call his Son, our Lord Jesus, this. For as they name and honor the Son, thus they also name and honor the Father. It does not help them to use many fine words and to make much ado about the name of God. For we read, "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain" [Exod. 20:7]. Just as little did it avail their ancestors at the time of the kings of Israel that they bore God's name, yet called him Baal.
Fourth, that they be forbidden to utter the name of God within our hearing. For we cannot with a good conscience listen to this or tolerate it, because their blasphemous and accursed mouth and heart call God's Son *Hebel Vorik,* and thus also call his Father that. He cannot and will not interpret this otherwise, just as we Christians too cannot interpret it otherwise, we who believe that however the Son is named and honored thus also the Father is named and honored. Therefore we must not consider the mouth of the Jews as worthy of uttering the name of God within our hearing. He who hears this name-from a Jew must inform the authorities, or else throw sow dung at him when he sees him and chase him away. And may no one be merciful and kind in this regard, for God's honor and the salvation of us all, including that of the Jews, are at stake!
Luther's arrogance is revealed by his rejection of select books of the Bible he didn't like. I find this despicable.
Why Did Martin Luther Remove Inspired Books From the Bible?
Why Did Martin Luther Remove Inspired Books From the Bible?
There numerous resources available to validate my position.
Martin Luther
"The image of Martin Luther on this postcard signifies an exploitation of his name and legacy. The Nazi’s often used Luther to justify their anti-Semitism and nationalism. Throughout other forms of Nazi propaganda, he has been referred to as a “fighter against the Jewish spirit in the Christian Church” as well as “Dr. Luther is one of the greatest anti-Semites in German history.” Martin Luther did, in fact, have a number of anti-Semitic writings. He believed Jews should be converted to Christianity and he gradually lost patience when they did not begin to embrace the religion. It’s been stressed that he was not a Nazi anti-Semite, but a religious anti-Semite; he was opposed to Jews not as an ethnic group but because they refused to convert"
