Here is something different. Below is part of an assignment (edited a bit so it won't be too long for here) I wrote 3 years ago. It is an imaginery conversation between Martin Luther and John Dominic Crossan. I imagined how a conversation between the two would be like. First is the letter by Luther, second is Crossan's. There might be a bit for discussion. Quotes are taken from the books Crossan, J.D., A Kingdom of Nuisances and Nobodies in Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography and Luther, M., Freedom of a Christian in Dillenberger, J. (ed.), Selection From His Writings

Dear John

Though some of your interpretations of God’s holy word, such as Mark 3:31-35 and 10:13-16, as well as the concept of open commensality are commendable and insightful, my concern is that this ethical kingdom your are espousing, is in essence, no different to the works salvation taught in my time by the papists. I read nothing in your writings that call for repentance. Nothing about faith in Christ alone. Only by grace through faith in Christ can a truly ethical kingdom be established, that is to say at some degree at least, for the perfect kingdom will come at the consummation of all things.

One does not enter God’s “kingdom by wisdom or goodness, by virtue, justice or freedom” that is inherit in them. The only goodness that allows us to enter the Kingdom of Heaven is Christ’s goodness, his righteousness, and we receive this inheritance through faith alone. Salvation is by God’s grace not by our works for we are sinners as the commandments of God reveals to us. Yet what I see in your writings is an attempt to build a community, an ethical kingdom, by human wisdom and knowledge, yet this does not transform the disposition of the sinner. Christ must become real in our soul. He is not just an historical example of how to fix society. “I believe…that it is not enough or in any sense Christian to preach the works, life, and words of Christ as historical facts, as if knowledge of these would suffice for the conduct of life.” Yet this is what I see in your work! 

Only when Christ becomes real, transforming the sinner, will any accomplishment occur. “Good works do not make a good man, but a good man does good works; evil works do not make a wicked man, but a wicked man does evil works.” Who is a good man? He who trusts in Christ, not just as an historic figure, but as one who fulfilled the law and whose righteousness has been imputed to us and our sins imputed to him.

I pray that you may reply to me so that we may discuss the issues more fully. Also, what is this gospel of Thomas and Q that you mention? How does it have any bearing and significance to the Christian message?

In God’s grace, Martin Luther