"It's not fair!" We sometimes hear such complaints about Lent Madness. And..of course it's not fair. Which is why we call this little devotion Lent MADNESS and not Lent FAIRNESS. Thus, we end up with matchups such as today's that pit a well-known Reformer of the Middle Ages against a lesser known late 19th, early 20th century Native-American convert to Christianity. So while all may be fair in love and war, all is decidedly not fair in Lent Madness.
Yesterday, to further illustrate this point, was the Battle of the Augustines aka Augustine Anarchy. Going into this matchup one thing was crystal clear: Augustine would emerge victorious. In this case Augustine of Canterbury bested Augustine of Hippo 57% to 43% to advance to the Saintly Sixteen.
And if you missed yesterday's epic edition of Monday Madness, you can watch it here. Tim and Scott discuss the week ahead and answer some very pertinent viewer mail.
Martin Luther
Just before the beginning of the twenty-first century, the Arts & Entertainment Network (A&E) compiled a list of the 100 most influential people of the millennium. A sixteenth-century former monk from a small town in Germany would have been very surprised to find himself ranked number three on this list!
Born in 1483, Luther’s parents encouraged him to study law. But in 1505, he was caught in a terrible thunderstorm while returning to the university from a trip home. Fearing for his life, Luther pledged to become a monk if his life were spared. He survived the stormy night and honored his commitment.
Luther served as a monk, university professor, and parish priest. As he studied, taught, and preached, he became increasingly distressed by what he saw as pernicious failures of the Roman Catholic Church. Among the most troubling were the selling of indulgences (paying to receive pardons for sins), a focus on vocation as being under the sole purview of those called to religious life, the insistence upon clerical celibacy, and the crippling lack of faith formation among the common people.
The posting of his 95 Theses on October 31, 1517, is commonly regarded as the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. Five hundred years later, we can clearly see his legacy. He was intent on making worship the center of the life of the Church, including excellent preaching and music, and focused his teaching and preaching on God’s grace. He admonished priests to teach parents how to make their homes the center of childhood faith formation by using his Small Catechism. Luther called for an end to corruption in the Church, especially through the sale of indulgences, and translated the Bible into the German vernacular, allowing common, literate people to read the word of God in their mother tongue.
His marriage to former nun Katarina von Bora and the lively home they created together offered a space for Luther and other scholars to debate around the kitchen table while enjoying Katarina’s generous hospitality. Martin Luther died in 1546, but his influence continues to echo mightily across new generations, as they discover his theology of a grace-filled God.
Collect for Martin Luther
Almighty God, gracious Lord, we thank you that your Holy Spirit renews the church in every age. Pour out your Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep them steadfast in your word, protect and comfort them in times of trial, defend them against all enemies of the gospel and bestow on the church your saving peace, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
David Oakerhater
Making Medicine (O-kuh-ha-tuh), also known as David Pendleton Oakerhater, was born into the Cheyenne nation (Oklahoma Territory) around 1847. He participated in his first war party at a young age, and over time, he gained a reputation among the Cheyenne as a skilled warrior.
Making Medicine first came into conflict with the United States after a retaliatory raid on poaching settlers. The US government responded to the Cheyenne with a war of attrition to deprive the Cheyenne and other affiliated tribes of food and supplies. By 1875, Making Medicine and several fellow warriors surrendered to the United States at Fort Sill. A group of seventy-four of those who surrendered were arrested, detained without trial, and moved to Saint Augustine, Florida. Making Medicine and his fellow captives were forced to assimilate into American society. At Fort Marion, he and his fellow captives learned English, taught art and archery lessons, and had their first encounters with Christian missionaries. By 1877 Episcopal deaconness Mary Douglass Burnham made arrangements to sponsor the remaining Cheyenne prisoners for positions of service in the church.
Making Medicine was sponsored by Alice and George H. Pendleton and brought to Paris Hill, New York, where he became affiliated with St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Under the guidance of the parish priest, he was educated in the scriptures and baptized in 1878, taking the name David from the Bible and Pendleton in honor of his sponsors. His theological formation continued, and in 1881 he was confirmed and ordained as a deacon.
Not long after, Oakerhater returned to Oklahoma as a missionary and took part in the founding of schools and missions, including those in Bridgeport and Whirlwind. He continued serving his people until his death in 1931. Upon his return to Oklahoma, he told the Cheyenne, “You all know me. You remember when I led you out to war I went first, and what I told you was true. Now I have been away to the East and I have learned about another captain, the Lord Jesus Christ, and he is my leader. He goes first, and all he tells me is true. I come back to my people to tell you to go with me now in this new road, a war that makes all for peace.”
Collect for David Oakerhater
O God of unsearchable wisdom and infinite mercy, you chose a captive warrior, David Oakerhater, to be your servant, and sent him to be a missionary to his own people, and to exercise the office of a deacon among them: Liberate us, who commemorate him today, from bondage to self, and empower us for service to you and to the neighbors you have given us; through Jesus Christ, the captain of our salvation; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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269 comments on “Martin Luther vs. David Oakerhater”
And here comes the Lutheran stampede. I fully expect to have three more chances to vote for Martin the Reformer, but the Cherokee branch of my family tree insists I vote for Making Medicene the Deacon.
This RC gal voted for Martin Luther. Without his courage and wisdom, we wouldn't have the reforms of today. I quite admire him. Here's to more people stepping up to question dictates & rules!!
Oh mighty SEC -- can we please get a "like" button for comments? So many people post great things, and I don't necessarily want to clutter up the page with a reply that just says "Like!" but it would be nice to be able to let people know their commentary is appreciated. Perhaps that button could be purple...? 🙂
"like"! (And yes, to purple! Sorry for the clutter.)
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I know, I know, without Luther there would nave been no Episcopal church, but I gotta go with the underdog on this one. Luther has enough recognition; outside of Lenten Madness, how many had heard of David Oakerhater??
My current read of George Tinker's book, Missionary Conquest:The Gospel and Native American Cultural Genocide, would not permit me to vote for Oakerhater. It was more of a vote against the Church for what it has done to Native peoples throughout the world. This was one of those few matchups that I had no favorite. Luther and his anti-Semitism was not any better. I'll look forward to the next round, hoping for a more favorable matchup, regardless of who wins this round. Neither of these two will get my vote. Thanks for the time to process the thoughts that today's match raised.
Ah, the more I read these comments the more conflicted I am about who to cast my vote for. I am fond of Brother Martin as an Episcopalian who loves the Small Catechism, but Brother David is someone I've not learned about before and I never vote before thoughtfully reading both of the bios in my scorecard booklet. Good luck to both! 🙂
Much as I'm indebted to Luther for his incalculable contributions to church music, I'm going with Okuhatah (a name I like better than either Oakerhater or Making Medicine) for several reasons. Mostly because I've been neglecting other Native Americans (including Canadian First Nations, e.g. Budd) this year, but also because, as a Coloradan, I have some sympathy for the Cheyenne. And usually also (but not always) sympathy for the underdog. And as everyone acknowledges, Luther's a hard act to follow.
Wonderful and thought-provoking comments. I was torn, but must go with my Scandinavian heritage and give Luther his due. Although an Episcopalian now, I recognize how much Luther gave to the church today through his reforming of the church of his day. My great-great grandfather Styrk Gjernes, who helped found the Norwegian Lutheran Church in Rushford, Minnesota, when he came to this country, would have loved "Lent Madness."
Many responses today have cited theological or ecclesiastical reasons for voting for Luther. Mine's a bit different: teaching Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" for many years gave me a keen sense of how the corruption of the late medieval Church meant that the most vulnerable members of society-- the poor, the hungry, the widowed-- were spiritually failed and even preyed upon by unscrupulous members of the clergy. I think especially of his portrait of the Prioress, who feeds her lapdogs expensive meat and white bread at a time when starvation was driving so many peasants into revolt. No, the Reformation didn't change all that overnight, but getting rid of indulgences was a crucial first step.
I chose David Oakerhater because of his Native American roots and because of his dedication after his conversion.
I did not know about David Oakerhater. I am very glad and inspired with his story and life sample. Thank you for sharing it.
The comments here are so enlightening. I voted for Luther but would never have done so if I'd known about his anti-semitism, which no doubt was a factor in the Holocaust. His writing about the Jews seems so extremely unChristian.
I didn't vote for Making Medicine because as a linguist, I lament the suppression of Native culture and language. His portrait says it all. Thousands of languages are dying and with them, their unique world view.
Both are imperfect Saints just like us.
I love that it is LENT MADNESS and not LENT FAIRNESS!
Despite some reservations, I had to go with Luther. I spent 20 years as a Lutheran before entering the Episcopal church. I was very well catechized as an adult confirmand in the Lutheran church, and loved the liturgy and music.
As one who grew up in Oklahoma, I am obliged to vote for David Oakerhater.
These comments are really helpful. Here is where we get into the fine nuances of these candidates. Thanks to all of you for helping me vote with a bigger measure of intelligence.
I am a Lutheran. I feel so sad, reading the words above, written against Luther. The ELCA has apologised to the Jews for Luther's actions toward them. We recognize that he was wrong. Much as I love his writings, his forward-thinking and his theology, I also give thanks that he was just a man. People can be wrong, misguided. I smile, remembering his teaching: educate your sons, and if they are able, educate your daughters. He recognized that girls could and should be taught in school, just as sons were. Meanwhile, I voted for David, because this is the first time I realized the Episcopal church, and not just the "Romans" sent missionaries out. They did, and do, a lot of good, caring for the sick and orphans, and educating the children. Oh yes, you can say they destroyed a lot in the process, but is it necessary to emphasize that? David pleases me...
Glad to hear the ELCA has apologized.
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David Oakerhater's quote to his people and the collect for him got his vote from me. I love that a man who was taken from his people was able to come back to them and show them a different way to be in the world. Reminds me somewhat of the African slaves experience of conversion to Christianity and the way we have been able to forge what was meant to further enslave us into a way of liberation. (Romans 8:28)
Powerful words. Coming from a country where there was slavery, I always relate to that experience.
Wow! What a hard choice today. I wanted to vote for both, but I followed the rules and only voted for one. Thank you for giving us Lent Madness.
Baptized and raised in the Lutheran church. Ask yourself ...who were the biggest game changers in church history? Everyone loves a cinderella, but this is a national tournament. Bear Down Martin!
Pretty certain that without Martin there would have been no David.
Had to go with the Indians our nation treated so badly. In fact, family research shows great-grandma was Chickasaw from Oklahoma. Sorry, Luther. The best two Martin Luther books I read are "Luther" by Roland Bainton, and psychologist Erik Erikson's "Young Man Luther." Loved that psychoanalytic study . . . Luther changed the world and his reformation nurtured the leaders of the Anglican English Reformation. And still I'm with David. Just because.
Everyone loves a Cinderella. BUT this is a big time tournament. Need to look at someone who changed the game everywhere and forever. Bear Down with Martin!
This was a difficult choice for me. I first learned of David Oakerhater from Lent Madness. I know that ML has a large lead but I am still very impressed with David's work with his people and his life as a Christian...so my vote goes to David
I think that instead of pitting Martin Luther against David Oakerhater, you should have had him run against somebody like Thomas Cranmer. In terms of the history of Christianity, Oakerhater is a newby in the New World and it might have been more fair for him to run against Kateri from near Montreal. However, as you pointed out in today's preamble to presenting the contenders, fairness wasn't your objective. (In my humble opinion.)
If it's about influence, Martin all the way. If it's about holiness of life, who can know?
Anyone who has read Roland Bainton's lively biography of Luther develops a kind of personal fondness for the man, despite his obvious besetting sins (most of which, as is the case for all of us, are the flip sides of his many virtues) and the considerable, and pernicious, collateral damage that came along with the church revolution he set in motion.
About Oakerhater I know much less; I'm glad to have learned of him from Lent Madness. Yesterday I picked the smaller humbler missionary-evangelist over the towering intellectual with his enormous and ambiguous influence on the historic course of the church. Today I'll flip it and go with Martin, partly because he made Bach possible.
I am terribly torn, but must select Martin Luther as one who spoke truth to power, regardless of the consequences. I find in his act of disobedience a model for all of us who see injustice and have a mandate to "do the work" we "have been given to do"
I voted for Oakerhater...because he was in Oklahoma and went to St.Paul's...and I have been to St Crispin's and stayed in the Oakerhater Lodge...
As a born-and-raised Lutheran who now identifies as Episcopal, Martin Luther had my vote from the beginning. The Martin Luther bobble head doll on my desk (at my Catholic workplace) agrees with my vote. I'm still a little bitter about the match up between Martin Luther and MLK, Jr. a few years ago. Talk about unfair! This is a much more even match-up. Go Martin!
Luther vs. Oakerhater aside, I appreciate this daily consideration of the saints and historical pillars of the church as a Lenten discipline that isn't too onerous, is frequently pleasant (!) and that has the effect of drawing us into the wider community of the Church when we read the feedback of our fellow Lenten sojourners.
Luther gets my vote today. What would my Church look like without the Reformation?
Plus, my husband's family from the Mid-West are practicing Lutherans and Martin is a family name.
That said, I did do some extra reading on Deacon Oakerhater and am glad to learn about him. What an interesting spiritual journey he must have had.