On a Christian’s Name

“In the first place, I ask that men make no reference to my name; let them call themselves Christians, not Lutherans. What is Luther? After all, the teaching is not mine (John 7:16). Neither was I crucified for anyone (1 Cor. 1:13). St. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 3, would not allow the Christians to call themselves Pauline or Petrine, but Christians. How then should I – poor stinking maggot-fodder that I am – come to have men call the children of Christ by my wretched name? Not so my dear friends; let us abolish all party names and call ourselves Christians, after him whose teaching we hold.”

[Martin Luther, “A Sincere Admonition by Martin Luther to all Christians to Guard Against Insurrection and Rebellion,” in Luther’s Works: The Christian in Society II (Vol. 45; Fortress Press, 1962), p. 70]