On This Day 500 Years Ago 📆

Just over five centuries ago, in September 1522, one of the most important acts of innovation in history took place.

I’ve written previously about the importance of stepping outside of conventional expertise when you need breakthrough innovation:

The truth is that breakthrough innovation is most often needed with the most intractable, difficult problems to solve. It is needed because conventional expertise has not worked. In situations like this, traditional expertise can hold us back. 

When we need breakthrough innovation, we need to cultivate what I call an Outside Mindset. Seek outside perspectives. Read widely. Develop diverse relationships with people outside of your world. Pay attention to trends. Be intentional about learning from others.

The Problem of Expertise, Wave Report #64

500 years ago, a breakthrough innovation was needed.

Just Over 500 Years Ago This Month 📆

In September 1522, Martin Luther made a bold decision that would prove to be one of the most impactful acts of breakthrough innovation in modern history. He published what is now known as the September Testament. 

It was a revolutionary act in his day, and regardless of what you think of Luther, I would suggest that it was the most impactful thing he did, shaping the course of history.

Why was it such a breakthrough innovation? The September Testament translated the New Testament of the Bible into the heart language of the ordinary, everyday person – common German. 

You see, until that time, the Bible was typically read in Latin, or published in the original languages of Hebrew and Greek. The clergy had access because they were educated in those languages, and could afford expensive volumes. Common people didn’t. 

But Luther was convinced that the people should be able to read the Bible for themselves. That was revolutionary.

It turns out that when you give people direct unfiltered access to information to read and interpret for themselves, it’s amazing what can happen! (In some ways, a modern example is the Arab Spring uprisings of the 2010s. Social media platforms gave whole people groups access to information that had previously been filtered or unavailable.)

I think there are three lessons we can learn from this revolutionary act of breakthrough innovation:

Innovation is Not Just About Technology

We often think of innovation in technological terms – what new tools or technologies make possible. But sometimes, the most brilliant innovations have little to do with technology. Sometimes, they are based on a breakthrough human insight or a spark of imagination. In this case, the innovation was about making information readily accessible – reading the Bible for oneself. 

💡 Takeaway: Sometimes, breakthrough innovation is right in front of us. It just requires a subtle shift of perspective to see the opportunity. 

What innovation might be right in front of you, if you just shift your perspective?

Adversity Creates the Conditions for Innovation

Sometimes our darkest moments till the soil in which innovation can grow. What I didn’t say earlier was the context that led Martin Luther to translate the Bible – he was in exile. The year prior, he was declared a heretic, and a reward was posted for his capture. It was not a good time.

During this time, Luther was alone and hidden away. His normally hectic life suddenly slowed. Luther complained to his friends about not being busy. He wrote to a dear friend, “I am sitting here all day, drunk with leisure.”

Above: The small, rustic room where Martin Luther lived in exile, translated the New Testament into German, making reading the Bible accessible to regular men and women.

During this particularly difficult time of isolation, Luther wrote prolifically, including personally translating the New Testament from its original Hebrew and Greek to German. 

💡 Takeaway: Our most challenging times can provide the soil in which innovation can grow. Sometimes we are forced to slow down – but what if that is an opportunity for innovation?

Are you facing a particularly challenging season? Facing adversity? How might that create the context for you to do what you might not otherwise do?

Leverage the Platforms of Your Day

I left out one piece of the story – why the book was published in September in the first place. The most important event in the publishing world of his day was the Frankfurt Book Fair, which took place every September.

Luther knew that if he could have his translation done in time for the edition to be printed and released at the Book Fair, tapping into that platform would give it the best chance of being picked up and distributed widely.

Above: The September Testament leveraged the most powerful and innovative platform of the day – the printed word – to make the Bible accessible to everyday people who could afford the relatively cheaply produced texts.

Because it was published for the Frankfurt Book Fair in September, it was called the September Testament. (Fun fact - the Frankfurt Book Fair is still going today, 500+ years later.)

While today's platforms might be social media or AI, don’t underestimate the power of the printed word.

💡 Takeaway: Understanding and leveraging the platforms of the day is essential to scaling innovation. Luther used the world of publishing and understood the power of the printed word. 

What are the platforms of your day? How can you be there, and tap into them?

It’s amazing what can happen when you put the right effort into showing up in the right places.

Lausanne

As you read this, I will have just arrived in Seoul, Korea, where I’ll be attending an international gathering of global Christian leaders called the Lausanne Congress. 

Only the fourth event of its kind in history, more than 5,000 leaders from 202 nations and territories will gather over seven days to connect, exchange ideas, and collaborate – with another 5,000 leaders doing the same online. The majority of the attendees will be from the global south – Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Oceania. It’s humbling even to be invited to attend an event of this significance. 

It’s the kind of soil in which breakthrough innovation can take root, and I believe it will prove to be one of the most impactful gatherings of this century, if not in the broader history of faith. 

I’ve been asked to be the special media liaison to the movement's global CEO, Michael Oh. If you are a praying type, would you pray for us?

Until next week… Surfs Up! 🌊

  - Dave

P.S. If you want to read more about the September Testament, check out this article and podcast. For more on the life and history surrounding Martin Luther, I highly recommend Brand Luther by Andrew Pettegree.