Martin Luther and Wade Burleson

R. C. Sproul tells of Rome's opposition to Martin Luther for translating the Bible into the German language:

They warned, for example, that letting the laymen read the Bible could open a floodgate of iniquity. Luther responded to that by saying, yes, a floodgate of iniquity could be opened by unskilled people. That is why God has put teachers in the church. But he also said the basic message essential for every Christian to understand was so clear, so manifest, that a child could understand it. It is so important and so worthwhile that if it risks the opening a floodgate of iniquity, Luther said, so be it. R. C. Sproul, Now That's a Good Question (Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, 1996), p. 226.

Legalism in the church hasnt changed much in 1500 years:

But those who argue with me argue with all sincerity. To them, it is I who have "destroyed" the gospel. If I don't agree to their prohibitions and mandates, then my gospel is not truly the gospel of the Bible, and I am the one who is marring the gospel. I believe they look at the gospel through a filter. Maybe it is the filter of their upbringing, past personal disappointments or failures, or simply fear that a simple gospel, without certain prohibitions will lead to licentiousness.

Wade Burleson, Grace and Truth to You, Sunday, August 13, 2006