“There are a lot of people out there who are not aware of who Martin Luther was. . . . He changed how religion was looked upon,” says retired Air Force Lt. Col. Dwight Johnson about what led him to create his one-man, three-act play An Evening with Martin Luther. Being able to share with his brothers and sisters in Christ how God worked through Luther has been a blessing to Johnson and all who see his play.

In 2017, when reflecting on the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther posting the Ninety-five Theses, Johnson, a member at Salem, Colorado Springs, Colo., wondered if there was a play he could perform to honor the anniversary. He was unable to find one but felt inspired to write his own. With encouragement and guidance from his pastor, James Seiltz, Johnson began to create a play not only to teach others about Luther but also to share God’s Word.

Johnson reflects on the moment that inspired the play: “I think that was God’s way of saying, you need to study a little bit about Martin Luther.”

Johnson originally planned on only writing one act but through continued support from Seiltz, other acts soon followed. The three acts—“Luther Speaks,” “Luther Sings,” and “Luther Marries”—focus on different facets of Luther’s life and ministry.

During the research and writing process, Johnson discovered two themes: the importance of sola Scriptura (by Scripture alone) and standing firmly in one’s faith. Luther clearly embodied each of these throughout his life as Johnson depicts in the three acts. “We are letting people know that there were strong Christians who were not afraid to stand up,” remarks Johnson.

Johnson has presented An Evening with Martin Luther at his home church as well as at other WELS churches, conferences, and schools. It was before one of his shows that Seiltz changed how Johnson viewed his performances. The two prayed together over the phone and Seiltz prayed to bless Johnson’s ministry. While at first Johnson did not think performing the play could be described as ministry, he soon saw how God was working through him. “I’ve embraced that and said, ‘Yes, this is my ministry,’” he says.

Johnson is looking forward to continuing these performances, ultimately sharing God’s Word through the medium of theater.

Learn more: Want to have Dwight Johnson perform his play at your congregation? Go to salemevlutheran.org/luther.html.

Author: Nicole Davis
Volume 112, Number 04
Issue: April 2025