A caterpillar in a ring of fire: Martin Luther on Grace

Brunnhilde in the Ring of Fire, Arthur Rackham

A debate between the wonderful seventeenth century theologian, Philip Melanchton and Martin Luther and Philip Melanchton debate grace.


Melanchton says grace is like one parent helping a wobbly toddler across the room to the other parent who crouches down with an apple.

Luther says No, it's more than that!!  We are caterpillars in a ring of fire. Our only hope is that someone from above will rescue us.

So, when you feel there are impassable rings of fire around you, obstacles which seem impossible to overcome, don't look at them, and be afraid. Look at the hand above, ready to rescue you.

Luther probably got the ring of fire from the Nibelungenlied in which Siegfried leaps over the ring of fire to rescue the beautiful Brunnhilde.


Jesus is our Siegfried. 

Redeemer, redeem my heart again.