The Impact of OCD on Martin Luther

Few Christians have impacted Christianity like German priest and theologian, Martin Luther. He was the key figure in the Protestant Reformation and has inspired millions of Christians for the past 500+ years. However, a lesser-known aspect of Luther's life is his struggle with obsessive-compulsive disorder. In this video, Justin Amos of "The Mind of Christ" YouTube channel discusses the impact of OCD on Martin Luther.

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Martin Luther’s Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: How the Great Reformer Cured OCD and What He Learned (Ian Osborn) - https://amzn.to/3KVdev1

The OCD Workbook: Your Guide to Breaking Free from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (Bruce Hyman & Cherlene Pedrick) - https://amzn.to/45tXDvO

Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts: A CBT-based Guide to Getting over Frightening, Obsessive, or Disturbing Thoughts - Sally M. Winston & Martin Seif - https://amzn.to/4b9FTHj

Loving Someone with OCD: Help for You and Your Family - Karen Landsman, Kathleen Rupertus & Cherry Pedrick - https://amzn.to/4c7byuj

OCD: Be Still and Know: A Christian Guide to Overcoming Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (P.A. Kennan) - https://amzn.to/4cxFsrh

The Self-Compassion Workbook for OCD: Lean into Your Fear, Manage Difficult Emotions, and Focus On Recovery (Kimberley Quinlan & forward by Jon Hershfield) - https://amzn.to/4biENZU

"The Mindfulness Workbook for OCD" by Jon Hershfield & Tom Corboy - https://amzn.to/4cpE2Po

Jesus and OCD by Charles Thompson - https://amzn.to/4c4dG62

How To Heal From Harm OCD (The Mind of Christ) -    • How To Heal From Harm OCD  

How To Beat OCD - Starve The Monster! (The Mind of Christ) -    • How To Beat OCD - Starve The Monster!  

How To Love Someone With OCD (The Mind of Christ) -    • How To Love Someone With OCD  

An Honest Conversation About OCD | Interview with TED Talk Speaker Tauscha Johanson (The Mind of Christ) -    • An Honest Conversation About OCD | Intervi...  

The Insanity of Luther: The Holiness of God with R.C. Sproul (Ligonier Ministries) -    • The Insanity of Luther: The Holiness of Go...  

Luther's Great Struggle (Ligonier Ministries) -    • Luther's Great Struggle  

Video Script (Partial):
Martin Luther was born in 1483 in Germany and was raised in a strict Catholic household. From a young age, Luther was deeply religious and possessed a strong desire to please God. However, this fervent devotion soon turned into an obsession with sin and the fear of divine punishment. Luther's upbringing instilled in him a sense of guilt and unworthiness, leading to his relentless pursuit of spiritual perfection. He went on to become a professor of theology, composer, priest, and monk best known for his role in the Protestant Reformation, which fundamentally changed the course of Christianity.

Martin Luther's battle with scrupulosity began during his time as a monk in the Augustinian Order. He was tormented by feelings of unworthiness, guilt, and fear of divine punishment. Rather than spending 5-10 minutes in confession, Luther would sometimes spend up to 6 hours a day in confession. You heard that right. 6 hours! He inflicted pain on himself by sleeping without a blanket on cold winter nights and would even whip himself, attempting to make amends for his sins.

As someone who has also struggled with scrupulosity, the compulsion to confess my sins to others once had a strong grip on my life. Although I never made myself physically suffer, I can relate to the overwhelming guilt Luther carried at various times in his life.

And even though Luther didn’t have access to the information we have today on OCD, he did engage in various ways that we would now label as ERP (exposure response prevention), in which he began to expose himself to his fears willingly. In his book, “Martin Luther’s Obsessive Compulsive Disorder,” Psychiatrist Ian Osborn, “makes clear that it was precisely through experiencing and curing his fears that Luther learned the truth about righteousness and faith. Without the benefit of his obsessional fears, one could argue, the Great Reformer would never have pursued the Reformation at all.”

Luther's experience with scrupulosity deeply influenced his theological beliefs and teachings. He emphasized the importance of faith, grace, and the authority of scripture in the life of a Christian. Luther's emphasis on individual faith and personal relationship with God continues to shape the beliefs and practices of millions of Christians worldwide.

Remember that whatever you’re facing, healing is always possible. Like Luther, God can redeem our broken lives and use us to change the world for His glory.

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