Martin Luther on Education

 

 

An extract from the “History of the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century” by J. H. Merle d’Aubigné (1794-1872)

 

J. H. Merle d’Aubigné was a famous Christian historian and one of God’s great gifts to the Church. A preacher and scholar of Presbyterian persuasion, he was born in Geneva, the son of Protestant refugees from France. As an unconverted student for the ministry he met the Scottish minister Robert Haldane in Geneva, who expounded and preached to Merle d’Aubigné and his fellow students from the Epistle to the Romans. The whole group of students at length all came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

 

Luther next proceeds to the universities and schools: – 

"I am much afraid that the universities will prove to be the great gates of hell, unless they diligently labour in explaining the Holy Scriptures, and engraving them in the hearts of youth. I advise no one to place his child where the Scriptures do not reign paramount. Every institution in which men are not unceasingly occupied with the Word of God must become corrupt."[i]  

Weighty words, upon which governments, learned men, and parents in every age should seriously meditate! 

 

[i] Es muss verderben, alles was nicht Gottes Wort ohn Unterlass treibt. L. Opp. (L.) xvii. 486.

 

Reference

“HISTORY OF THE REFORMATION IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY,” by J. H. Merle d’Aubigné, 1846. French edition 1835. Published by Baker Book House (USA), reprinted from the edition issued in London in 1846. p 190.