Martin Luther (1483-1546) found that the appropriation of Scripture could address deep, pervasive distress of a degree that would be labeled psychopathological today

Luther (1533) by Lucas Cranach the Elder

Luther's grasp of the gospel message of Scripture replaced his anxiety and depression with a deep sense of confidence with God

Luther as an Augustinian friar

Martin Luther's story (1483-1546) is the Reformation's defining narrative and is extremely relevant to our agenda.  As a young monk, Luther struggled in his vocation, knowing himself to be a sinner and unworthy of God's love.  He multiplied his efforts to improve his spiritual state but could find no solace.  From 1515 to 1517, as teacher of Bible at the University in Wittenberg, he lectured on the books of Romans and Galatians.  Through those studies he began to realize that God's righteousness cannot be attained by humans; it can only be given by God as a gift.  Luther's grasp of the gospel message of Scripture brought about a radical change in his soul, replacing his anxiety and depression with a deep sense of confidence with God.

Trusting in God's grace means laughing even at death

Luther on his deathbed by Lucas Cranach the Elder

Luther found that the appropriation of Scripture could address deep, pervasive distress of a degree that would be labelled psychopathological today.  For him, more than most other historical Christian figures, the Bible was the means of a seismic change in his psychospiritual well-being, and his experience shaped his understanding of the function of Scripture.  He taught that the Bible deals with sin in two ways: the word of the Law reveals and condemns sin, and the word of the gospel forgives it.  The gospel "heals the corruption of human nature" by persuading us of God's favor and the gift of his righteousness.  "This grace effects a true peace of mind eventually, so that a man is healed of his disease and knows in addition that he has a gracious God.  This puts marrow into the bones.  This brings back a conscience that knows joy and security and stands without fear.  There is nothing it will not dare, nothing it cannot do, and in such trust in God's grace laughs even at death".

The sinner is righteous through justification

Moses and Elijah point the sinner looking for God's salvation to the cross to find it.

Lucas Cranach (I) - The Law and the Gospel

The word of God of greatest importance to Luther was the gospel declaration of the sinner as righteous through justification, which the Christian must believe in order to receive.  Luther used this biblical teaching to help the souls of others:

The preaching of the gospel is nothing else than Christ coming to us, or we being brought to him.  When you see how he works, however, and how he helps everyone to whom he comes or who is brought to him, then rest assured that faith is accomplishing this in you and that he is offering your soul exactly the same sort of help and favor through the gospel.  If you pause there and let him do you good, that is, if you believe that he benefits and helps you, then you really have it.  Then Christ is yours, presented to you as a gift.

Luther's 1534 Bible

The high value Luther placed on the Word of God was underscored by his regulator preaching and writing on the Scriptures and his own translation of the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures into the German tongue.

Source: Johnson, Eric L.  Foundations for Soul Care: a Christian Psychology Proposal.  Downers Grove, IL:  InterVarsity Press, 2007, pages 58-59.