Dr. Wiker on the Reformation Part 3

Guest:

What effect did the threat of Islamic invasion have on the Reformation? Dr. Benjamin Wiker, Associate Professor of Political Science and Human Life Studies at Franciscan University of Steubenville and author of “The Reformation 500 Years Later: 12 Things You Need to Know,” describes how Luther’s view that the Islamic threat was punishment from God for corruption all the way to the highest ranks of the Church led to a short term vision. Luther thought the world was about to end and thus he was not concerned with the long term consequences of his words or actions. This expectation was one of the causes that made the Reformation a great splinter event in the Church rather than a true reformation.