Martin Luther, the German monk, theologian, university professor, Father of Protestantism, and church reformer whose ideas influenced the Protestant Reformation and changed the course of Western civilization. The Ninety-five Theses were written by Luther on the Power of Indulgences and posted on the door of the castle church in Wittenberg, Europe. Further on was the move into what is called the Modern Era. He challenged the role of the papacy and the importance of priesthood as well as debating what was the true path to salvation. Luther translated the bible into German, wrote sermons on Christian life and is credited with beginning the Protestant Reformation.
Luther found that his teachings diverged increasingly from the traditional beliefs of the Roman church. His studies had led him to the conclusion that Christ was the sole mediator between God and man and that forgiveness of sin and salvation are affected by God’s Grace alone and are received by faith alone on the part of man. This point of view turned him against scholastic theology, which had emphasized man’s role in his own salvation, and against many church practices that emphasized justification by good works. His approach to theology soon led to a clash between Luther and church officials, precipitating the dramatic events of the Reformation.
When the monk, Martin Luther, posted his 95 theses on the church door at Wittenberg in 1517, he started a movement of protesters, who wanted to celebrate Christianity as they saw fit. They believed the Christian church to be corrupt and too preoccupied with secular (worldly) matters. Copies of Martin Luther’s 95 theses, printed of the printing press were passed all around Western Europe, and the Protestant Reformation was begun. It was with the printing press that spread the new information and ideas across Europe, constantly engaged in thought provoking conversations and debates. Thus leading to mass amounts of people widespread to begin to question and create a voice about the Church’s teachings.
The Term Paper on Protestant Reformation Church Luther Pope
... lost touch with the people of Europe. The leaders of the Reformation sought to reform the church and its teachings according to the ... Renaissance was in full swing by the time Martin Luther entered into the limelight. Luther was "not in any sense, on any subject, ... in the external, institutional ecclesiastical body is no guarantees of salvation" (Dolan 125). He rejected the idea that the office of ...
Martin Luther was concerned with the well-being of the Catholic Church and its policy of granting forgiveness through indulgence rather than penance. Luther’s actions were neither cinematic nor groundbreaking. The message of 95 Thesis gave the summary and expressed the feelings of many of his peers already had about the corruption of Christ’s teachings. Luther illustrated the spiritual, material, and psychological truths behind abuses in the practice of buying and selling indulgences. He was not out to pick a fight or to have his own way; his purpose was to uphold the truth, for the cause of Christ.
Church officials acted against him. The Saxon Dominican provincial charged him with heresy, and he was summoned to appear in Augsburg before the papal legate, Cardinal Cajetan. Refusing to recant, he fled to Wittenberg, seeking the protection of the elector Frederick III of Saxony. He took refuge in the Wartburg castle, where he lived in seclusion for eight months. During the time of seclusion, Luther translated the New Testament in to German. The development of the printing press by Johannes Guttenberg a now meant that Luther’s translation could be made accessible for all Germans and important first for Christianity. Before hand only the clergy had explained the bible to the community, but now Christians could read the passages and scriptures and interpret them fro themselves. In March 1522 he returned to Wittenberg to restore order against enthusiastic iconoclasts who were destroying altars, images, and crucifixes.
Luther never viewed himself as the founder of a new church body, however. He devoted his life to reforming the church and restoring the Pauline doctrine of justification to the central position in Christian theology. Luther left behind a movement that quickly spread throughout the Western world. His doctrines, especially justification by faith and the final authority of the Bible, were adopted by other reformers and are shared by many Protestant denominations today. As the founder of the 16th century Reformation, he is one of the major figures of Christianity and of Western civilization.
The Essay on Luther Church Worms Pope
... most influential characters in the millennium was Martin Luther, father of the protestant church. Luther was born November 10, 1483 in Eisleben, Thuringia ... his belief. These conclusions ultimately led Luther to combat some practices of the church. Luther virus the church. A classic case of David and ...