Emphasis Preaching Journal

Martin Luther was a troubled Augustinian monk trying to gain the assurance of his personal salvation. He had a kindly mentor, Dr. Johann von Staupitz, who suggested he pursue a doctor's degree and begin teaching the Bible at the university in Wittenberg. Luther set out to expound the scriptures, and he began to lecture on the book of Psalms in 1513. In the fall of 1515 he lectured on Paul's Letter to the Romans but he was frustrated by constantly coming across "the righteousness of God," which appalled him. He felt he could never match up to "the righteousness of God."