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Martin Luther
Questions concerning Martin Luther, the theologian. His history, work, and rise to prominence in the Protestant Reformation.
647 Questions
How did Martin Luther react to the Peasants' War?
He responded with anger, yet also with sympathy towards some of the peasants' grievances.
Why did martin Luther write his 95 theses?
He was frustrated and did not agree with what the church was doing.
for example: - the pope had kids
- the church was making money of indulgences (slips of paper pardoning sins)
and stuff like that.
Who was Martin Luther what did he do?
In a nutshell:
Martin Luther was born in Eisleben, Germany on 10 November 1483, the son of a copper-mine owner. When he was 17, he entered the University of Erfurt and gained a Bachelor's degree in 1502 and a Master's degree in 1505. Because his father wished him to enter the law profession, Luther then enrolled in the law school of the University of Erfurt.
His life changed direction when he was almost hit by a lightning bolt one day in 1505. This event caused led Luther to abandon his law studies and enter a monastery, dedicated to serving God.
Luther tried to adapt to monastic life but he struggled with the Roman Catholic church's demands that favour with God could only be earned through good works. Studying the Scriptures deeply, he came to the realisation that salvation is a gift of God's grace: it is received by faith alone. He realised that trust in Christ's death on the cross is the only means to that salvation.
It was this realisation that led him to challenge the teachings of the Roman Catholic church, in particular, the nature of penance, the authority of the pope and the usefulness of indulgences. When Luther posted his Ninety-Five Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany on 31 October 1517, thus began the Reformation of the church. The theses contained numerous challenges and attacks on papal abuses and the sale of indulgences by church officials.
The posting of the 95 Theses caused considerable controversy. Luther was excommunicated from the Roman Catholic church several years later for his attacks on the wealth and corruption of the papacy. In particular, his belief that salvation would be granted on the basis of faith alone rather than by works was regarded as heresy. In 1521, the same year in which he was excommunicated, Luther was summoned to appear before the Diet of Worms. The Diet was a general assembly of the estates of the Holy Roman Empire that occurred in Worms, Germany, from January to May in 1521. When an edict of the Diet called for Luther to be seized, his friends took him for safekeeping to Wartburg, the castle of Elector Frederick III of Saxony.
Here, Luther continued to write numerous theological works, which considerably influenced the direction of the Protestant Reformation movement. He also used this time to translate the Bible from the Latin of the time into German so that the common, everyday people could read it. It concerned Luther that, for centuries, the Bible had been out of reach of the common man.
How did Martin Luther change history?
Martin Luther did not change the Church at all, he left it. Although the Church did, in trying to deal with the numerous people who were forced out it due to the German princes following Martin Luther's lead, have to reform many activities. This is known to protestants and the secular media as the "Counter-reformation", Catholics would know it as the Catholic Reform:
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from A Catholic Dictionary, edited by Donald Attwater, Second edition, revised 1957The Counter-Reformation is the name given to the Catholic movement of reform and activity which lasted for about one hundred years from the beginning of the Council of Trent (q.v., 1545), and was the belated answer to the threatening confusion and increasing attacks of the previous years. It was the work principally of the Popes St. Pius V and Gregory XIII and the Council itself in the sphere of authority, of SS. Philip Neri and Charles Borromeo in the reform of the clergy and of life, of St. Ignatius and the Jesuits in apostolic activity of St. Francis Xavier in foreign missions, and of St. Teresa in the purely contemplative life which lies behind them all. But these were not the only names nor was it a movement of a few only; the whole Church emerged from the 15th century purified and revivified. On the other hand, it was a reformation rather than a restoration; the unity of western Christendom was destroyed; the Church militant (those still on earth) led by the Company of Jesus adopted offence as the best means of defence and, though she gained as much as she lost in some sense, the Church did not recover the exercise of her former spiritual supremacy in actuality.
from Modern Catholic Dictionary by John A. Hardon, S.J. Doubleday & Co., Inc. Garden City, NY 1980A period of Catholic revival from 1522 to about 1648, better know as the Catholic Reform. It was an effort to stem the tide of Protestantism by genuine reform within the Catholic Church. There were political movements pressured by civil rules, and ecclesiastical movements carried out by churchmen in an attempt to restore genuine Catholic life by establishing new religious orders such as the Society of Jesus and restoring old orders to their original observances, such as the Carmelites under St. Teresa of Avila (1515-98). The main factors responsible for the Counter Reformation, however, were the papacy and the council of Trent (1545-63). Among church leaders St. Charles Borromeo (1538-84), Archbishop of Milan, enforced the reforms decreed by the council, and St. Francis de Sales of Geneva (1567-1622) spent his best energies in restoring genuine Catholic doctrine and piety. Among civil rulers sponsoring the needed reform were Philip II of Spain (1527-98) and Mary Tudor (1516-58), his wife, in England. Unfortunately this aspect of the reformation led to embitterment between England and Scotland, England and Spain, Poland and Sweden, and to almost two centuries of religious wars. As a result of the Counter Reformation, the Catholic Church became stronger in her institutional structure, more dedicated to the work of evangelization, and more influential in world affairs.
How did Martin Luther idea about religion threaten the church?
First, you may be thinking of the "Reformation," rather than the Renaissance. Martin Luther was from Germany and he was originally a Catholic priest. But he began to have disagreements with the Pope and the Church over "indulgences"-- a corrupt practice that allowed believers to basically pay a sum of money in order to be forgiven for their sins; the money that was raised was used to fund church projects. Luther thought this was wrong-- he believed forgiveness came only from God and he said so. He also believed salvation came chiefly through faith in Jesus Christ, not through good works; in addition, he challenged the authority and infallibility of the Pope. In the year 1517, Luther wrote the controversial "Ninety-Five Theses"-- in this document, Luther discussed the areas where he felt the Catholic church was incorrect in its teachings and he also again stressed that selling forgiveness of sins was morally wrong. To make sure everyone saw it, he posted a copy to the door of the Castle Church in the city of Wittenberg.
Thanks to the newly invented printing press, many Germans (not just the church elite) were able to read Luther's criticisms of Catholic theology. Needless to say, church leaders were not amused. Pope Leo and other church theologians attacked what Luther had said, but Luther was unwilling to recant. Ultimately, in 1521, he was excommunicated-- asked to leave the church. Meanwhile, Germans who had felt uncomfortable about the absolute power and authority of the Pope and the church hierarchy began to side with Luther. This led to a Protestant religion (Protestants were those who "Protested") that came to be known as Lutheranism. It also led to a loss of power for the Pope and the growth of the Protestant faith in Germany.
And a quick PS: often, when students ask this question, they confuse Martin Luther with the great civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. They are two entirely different men from two entirely different countries, races, and centuries.
What were indulgences and what did Martin Luther think about them?
Indulgence was an aspect of the penitential system that allowed full or partial remission as regards the punishment of sin. It was applicable in Western medieval and the Roman Catholic church.
Why did many German princes supported Martin Luther?
German princes supported Martin Luther's idea because some shared the same beliefs and others just supported for selfish reasons.
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Answer
In England, Henry VIII declared himself head of the Church, and thus confiscated all the Catholic Church's property, distributing houses and land (and effects) to his nobility as a reward for good behavior. In the Holy Roman Empire, the princes of different kingdoms differed in belief, but one over-riding belief in those that turned against the Church was that they would prefer to keep all their income themselves instead of supporting a Pope in Rome. Those that accepted Martin Luther's urging to become "Evangelists" - his term for his new Church, emphasising a return to the purity of the New Testament - as rewritten and interpreted by Martin Luther) became defacto head of the Church's in their kingdoms - gaining an immense amount of land, buildings, income, and effects at practically no effort - a stupendous reward to apostatize!
What did martin Luther was the path to salvation?
Martin Luther believed that faith alone was the only thing could get you to heaven and that a lot of people SAYING "I believe" really can get you into heaven. Though that is why he protested against the Catholic church because that is exactly what the Popes taught and then they would go and do pleasures that were against God.
What happened to martin Luther at the Diet of the Worms?
He had been called before this august diet (a deliberating council) to answer charges of heresy.
Who is the greatest person ever?
Every religious community feels that its beginner is the greatest person who ever lived. It's like almost every child in his childhood feels that his father is the greatest person on earth. When we remain in our spiritual infancy, we only read religious books of our own community, and most of which we do not understand because of our ignorance,ego and unjust sense of pride.
Religion and spirituality are not outward matters. Unless we thoroughly obey our conscience which has a place in our heart and which only gives us proper directions at every moment, if we really care this conscience, we can gradually overcome the beastly attributes which we have gained through countless previous animal births, with the help of divine consciousness which is deep rooted in our conscience.
This divine consciousness inside our conscience which is placed inside the heart of every human being in all ages, and which is only our savior, if only we take refuge in Him, has been described as Jesus Christ in Christianity, as Buddha in Buddhism, as Mohammed in Islam, and in many more names in many other religions. We have to take refuge in this conscience every moment to get the divine consciousness that will eradicate our beastly propensities and elevate us to human consciousness and further to divinity.
By now we have understood that Jesus Christ, Buddha and Mohammed were no mortal appearance of human beings on this earth. In ages and ages the same profound spiritual concept was presented before the distressed humanity by the most enlightened persons, but during every presentation the concept had to be presented as per the requirement of the time. That's why we find countless external variations in background, narration and many other aspects. Due to these external variations people do not understand that one and only true religion was presented in ages and ages in different external forms, but inside the same there is one and only eternal religion.
When we understand that Jesus Christ, Buddha and Mohammed are no external persons that ever lived, but the divine consciousness within our conscience, which has a permanent seat inside our heart, and we have to take refuge in Him, we understand that the same profound spiritual concept was presented in different names in ages and ages, and we cannot argue further who is the greatest person that ever lived.
Our ever- burning conscience that ever gives us the correct direction because this conscience is a small version of the abysmal divine consciousness we have within our heart. In spite of having animal instincts due to countless previous animal births, we have received this human form due the presence of this divine consciousness within our heart. This is the real human within ourselves that has come down to save us from the clutches of animal instincts. That's why this Jesus or Buddha or Mohammed, or in whatever name we call this divine presence, is most adorable to us and the best human being that ever lived on this world.
I should, therefore, request all friends through this forum to abide by this conscience, and through it the divine consciousness within ourselves, to enable us to know with all transparency who is the best person that ever lives. Then only we shall be able to stop glorifying the religion to which we seemingly belong to, and to shorten the religions to which we do not belong to.
What are some facts about Martin Luther?
Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929-April 4, 1968), was one of the main leaders of the American Civil Rights Movement. A Baptist minister by training, King became a civil rights activist early in his career, leading the Montgomery Bus Boycott and helping to found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. His efforts led to the 1963 March on Washington, where King delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech, raising public consciousness of the civil rights movement and establishing King as one of the greatest orators in American history. In 1964, King became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end segregation and racial discrimination through civil disobedience and other non-violent means.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King,_Jr.
Why did Martin Luther object to the selling of indulgences?
If someone had been selling indulgences for money then Martin Luther might have had a good case as indulgences can not be purchased, although they have always been issued for any of the three works of penance which include prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. On the latter, indulgences had always been granted for almsgiving, but from the latest information we have about the time period, although there were some abuses, it would appear that most of the problem was of Martin Luther's own making. I personally suspect that he was just looking for any reason to throw over the Church, his 95 Theses which included his objections to indulgences really make no sense given even a cursory (unbiased) knowledge of Catholic history and belief. Click on link attached below.Catholic Encyclopedia on Martin Luther
Why did Martin Luther become a monk?
Martin Luther was never a monk, he was an Augustinian Friar. Martin Luther decided to become a friar when he was caught in a tragic scary thunderstorm. He prayed to God that if he spared his life and protected him from the storm he'd become a friar. And so God did as Luther prayed for, and as a result of this, Luther entered the local Augustinian Friar and became a friar not a monk.
However, modern researchers have revealed another possible motivation that varies from the traditional story, citing Luther's "desperation to escape an impending arranged marriage" at the age of 21.
What was the most important factor in causing Martin Luther to lead the Reformation?
The church's corruption.
The church's attempt to raise money by selling indulgences
Answer There were few periods in the long history of the Catholic Church when corruption was more openly present than during the Renaissance period. The sale of indulgences was becoming a prime source of personal income for popes, cardinals and bishops, as were the sale of ecclesiastical offices and the imposition of many corrupt fees and charges.
In 1514, Albrecht of Brandenburg had been raised to the archdiocese of Mainz, but since he intended not to surrender his previous diocese of Magdeburg, and was also under the canonical age to be a bishop, the pope was able to insist on a considerable fee. He agreed in return that 50 per cent of the monies raised from the preaching of the indulgence in Albrecht's two dioceses could be set against this sum. This shoddy deal, made more offensive by the vigour and lack of sophistication with which the indulgence was preached around Magdeburg by the Dominican friar Tetzel, spurred Luther to action.
Also during a visit to Rome, Luther was bothered by the luxurious living, the loose morals, and the lack of interest in spiritual things among the monks they visited. The city, which he had regarded as holy, was a sink of iniquity; its very priests were openly infidel, and scoffed at the services they performed; the papal courtiers were men of the most shameless lives.
How is Martin Luther similar to Martin Luther King Jr.?
There are many ways they both are alike...... Here are a couple.... 1. They both stood for many people 2. They both had very good speeches 3. They had many followers 4. They never gave up 5. They provided hope for Americans 6. Changed America for the better. 7. Both made history 8. Both were African Americans....
What was the purpose for Martin Luther 95 theses?
Luther's 95 theses were written as a "discussion document". Luther intended that the 95 theses would provide a basis for debate about things that he and others saw as false doctrines and ecclesiastic malpractice by the Roman Catholic Church, especially the sale of indulgences.
Luther nailed his "95 Theses" on the door of the Castle Church of Wittenberg, according to university custom. Within two weeks, copies of the Theses had spread throughout Germany; within two months throughout Europe.
The debate on many of the doctrines and devotional practices of the Catholic Church was then wide spread and eventually led to the creation of new national Protestant churches.
What did Martin Luther profession in?
he was a pastor of a baptist church in Montgomery,Alabama in September 1 1954
What document outlines the main complaints against the Catholic Church in 1518?
In 1517, Martin Luther protested what he thought were abuses in indulgences to his Bishop. He was wildly mistaken in many of his theses, and others were actually Catholic dogma. He did not, however, protest the "Catholic Church" until later in his life, when he really got further and further from reality.
