Life of Luther subject of play Thursday at church

Martin Luther, the central figure of the 16th century Protestant Reformation, will be the central character in a play here Thursday night.

"Martin: A Life of Martin Luther" will be presented at 7 p.m. Thursday in Trinity Lutheran Church, 1500 Highway 51 Bypass North.

Allan Lemke, a professional actor from Oregon, wrote and will star in the one-man play. He received his bachelor's degree in dramatic art from the University of Iowa and has performed with the Guthrie2 Theater in Minneapolis, Minn., and with Christian theater troupes since 1980. He has directed Shakespearean productions as well as more modern works. He and his wife, Jenny, have toured the nation presenting the gospel for more than 19 years.

Martin Luther was born in 1483 and grew up to be a priest.

The playbill reported that Luther's "revelations regarding the dichotomy between the Word of God and the practices of the Roman Catholic hierarchy of the 16th century led him to write many treatises and books condemning these unscriptural practices. Although Luther sought only to reform the errors perpetrated by the Roman Catholic religion (also thinking that Pope Leo X would agree with him), he found himself forced by the Catholic hierarchy to either stand by his beliefs or face excommunication. ... Luther's stand of faith sparked the Protestant Reformation but also ignited a new view of individual liberty and freedom of conscience, rights to which are granted by God himself. This viewpoint informed the Christian of the proper relationship between the individual, the church and the state."

A love offering will be taken.