Did not Luther destroy a fellowship

for Christian mission, its broad love of earth

its love of God, (for all its woeful dearth

of poverty: love of power, its worship),

and replace it with principalities

of newly minted lords, now justified

by God by faith, with certainty inside;

no social form for these realities?

All governance, all bodies politic

to be subjected to this inner creed!

Was ever one so absolutely freed?

Each individual, the measuring stick.

What filled the vacuum in our corporate life?

The Godless nation, womb of tragic strife!