Next to theology, I accord the highest place to music. Those words come from Martin Luther.

And we've been trekking through Martin Luther's life and this week we've been focused specifically on Luther's

writings. Well today we have a very special set of Luther's writings to talk about

and to do so we are in a special place.

We are here at the Vortburg Castle.

Now, this is a very fitting place to be

to talk about Luther's hymge.

First, this castle overlooks the town of Isonock.

And born in the town of Isonock

is Johann Sebastian Bach.

So we are in a very musical place

to be talking about hymns.

Secondly, this castle provides a wonderful backdrop

to be thinking about Luther's most famous hymn.

Of course, we're referring to,

a mighty fortress is our God,

Einfesterberg, each unsergot.

Now that was not Luther's first hymn.

Luther's first hymn was actually written in 1523. The context of that hymn is that there were

two monks from Antwerp and these monks were summoned to Brussels and they were put on trial.

These monks had expressed their devotion to the gospel.

And there in Brussels, they affirmed their commitment

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