It's December 10th, 1520.

Snow has fallen overnight in Vittenberg.

Exactly two months ago to the day,

Luther had received the Papal Bull condemning him as a heretic and calling

him to recant of his teaching within 60 days or face excommunication. Luther's time is up.

He stands in front of a large bonfire, his eyes fixed on the flames.

Just behind him, it looks as if the entire town are coming to join him.

Father, please guide and protect your servant.

Please grant me courage to declare the truth boldly as I should.

Standing alongside Luther as the crowd begins to gather is Philip Malanchthon, his colleague and friend from the university. 23 years old and 14 years Luther's junior,

Melanchon has become Luther's close friend and theological ally.

All of Wittenberg is here,

and many of our good colleagues at the university.

I see Professor Armstrong and there is Chancellor Karlstadt.

Two and a half years earlier Luther's students and all Wittenburg had

gathered in this same place in front of another bonfire.

Johann Tetzal, indulgent salesman that he was, had taken offense at Luther's 95 Theses.

In fact, he had personally threatened to burn Luther as a heretic.

Tetsel also oversaw the publication of 106 counter-theses in defense of the Pope's authority to sell indulgences.

But when copies of the work arrived in Videnburg, Luther students were indignant.

They built a bonfire outside the Elster Gate, just as they have done today, and threw the work in the flames.

Luther steps onto an upturned barrel in front of the fire. facing the crowd, he feels the heat on his back for a moment comforting and then disquieting.

...