First, in 2006 the explosion of social media had not yet fully occurred. If one wanted to discuss a topic, especially theology, the most popular way of interaction was through discussion boards. I had been participating on Internet discussion boards since 1998. As I interacted with Roman Catholics on discussion boards, they frequently brought up negative claims about Martin Luther and the Reformation. It was through these interactions that I began researching their outrageous claims. With the help of a few good libraries and the ever-increasing amount of knowledge appearing on the Internet daily, I discovered how fallacious their claims against Luther and the Reformation were. I describe this period as shooting fish in a barrel.
Second, I found that no sooner had I a debunked a Roman Catholic claim on a discussion board, it would quickly appear again! I found myself writing the same responses over and over. The cyber-rage at the time was having your own blog. I succumbed to joining the crowd and started a blog so as to have a place where my responses could be permanently stored.
Why did I choose the blog title, Beggars All, Reformation and Apologetics? The phrase "beggars all" is a popular comment attributed to Luther. They are words found in a note he is said to have written shortly before he died:
“Nobody can understand Vergil in his Bucolics and Georgics unless he has first been a shepherd or a farmer for five years.
“Nobody understands Cicero in his letters unless he has been engaged in public affairs of some consequence for twenty years.
“Let nobody suppose that he has tasted the Holy Scriptures sufficiently unless he has ruled over the churches with the prophets for a hundred years. Therefore there is something wonderful, first, about John the Baptist; second, about Christ; third, about the apostles. ‘Lay not your hand on this divine Aeneid, but bow before it, adore its every trace.’
“We are beggars. That is true.”
These were the last thoughts of Dr. Martin Luther on the day before he died.
Luther, M. (1999). Luther’s works, vol. 54: Table Talk (J. J. Pelikan, H. C. Oswald, & H. T. Lehmann, Eds.; p. 476). Fortress Press.
I've always been struck by how this insightful and knowledgeable man at the end of his life considered himself an intellectual beggar. He mentions secular poetry and philosophy, and finally, the Sacred Scriptures of Christianity. I've always felt the same way, that I only scratch the surface of philosophy and Christianity. The more one experiences something, the more he innately knows something. As I've grown older, I feel that I have not yet mastered anything.
As to Reformation and Apologetics: this blog is primarily geared towards defending the Reformation, but the answers provided usually only scratch the surface. For instance, when I refute a negative assertion about Luther's character, this only is moving him out of the way so more important issues can rightly be brought into focus. The goal therefore is to do the work most people have no time or desire to do. I recall hearing a live moderated debate in which a Roman Catholic threw out charges against Luther, and the Protestant defender rightly replied something like, "well, so much for Martin Luther." The Protestant apologist realized more important matters were at stake. Beggars All, Reformation and Apologetics takes up the secondary tedium, often bypassed, and sets the record straight.
I've been questioned over the years as to... who am I? What credentials do I have to write what I do? This might shock some of you fluent in Christianese culture, but I do not primarily view Beggars All, Reformation and Apologetics as a ministry. I have primarily maintained this blog as a hobby, writing about things that interest me... selfishly, for me. If others enjoy the content or are helped by it, that's wonderful and makes me happy, but I'm not intending to be an authority or change someone's heart. If you use this blog, check my work for yourself.
I do have a degree in philosophy from a secular university and two degrees in theology from accredited and respected Christian seminaries. I have served my local church as a teacher and an elder. I've not though had a vocation in full-time Christian service. I'm like many of you: I've had a full-time secular job that I enjoy... and I enjoy theology and history.
Am I Lutheran? In full disclosure I am a member in good standing of a church that's part of United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA). I have been a professing member of my church since 2000. This means I am neither a Presbyterian or a Baptist... or a Lutheran! Some question whether or not someone who is not a Lutheran has the ability to write accurately about Martin Luther. I say: take a look at the twenty years of blog posts accumulated here and judge for yourself. I love researching all the people of the Reformation, even the enemies of the Reformation. I say, let them be who they were, not judging them by my theological standards. Frankly, I also care little about inter-Reformation conflict and debates. For instance, I'm not interested in picking a side between Martin Luther and John Calvin. The debate between Wittenberg and Geneva does not interest me.
Written, February 2026
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