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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 Henry Vlll and Martin Luther change the Church?
Of course, King Henry VIII and Martin Luther were instrumental in the formation of the Protestant churches. This would not necessarily change the parent, Catholic Church but it did, in a way they could not have anticipated.
Prior to the Reformation, the Catholic Church had a spiritual monopoly in western Europe and could demand absolute allegiance. The creation of new and sustainable Churches protected by powerful kings and princes changed all this. There was no longer a universal monopoly, and the Catholic Church had to adapt to the new reality, which it did at an astonishingly slow pace.
The Catholic Church still held a spiritual monopoly in countries where Catholicism was the major faith, and it continued to exercise that monopoly. As recently as 1864, Pius IX published the Syllabus of Errors, stating that where Catholics are in the minority, they have the right to public worship, but where others faiths are in the minority, they have no right to public worship because only the true faith has the right to public worship.
Finally, in 1965, the Church came to the realisation that it would no longer be possible to force all people to believe and practise the one faith, even where Catholicism was the majority faith. The Second Vatican Council pronounced the right of all to religious liberty, recognising their right to worship in whatever way they wished. Almost five hundred years after the time of Henry VIII and Luther, the change was complete.
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Catholic AnswerThe change that Henry VIII and Martin Luther contributed to, although unintentionally, was the Catholic reform which peaked with the Council of Trent, and continued for several centuries. A major result, again unintentional, was that the Church became to a certain extent insular and reactionary, fearful of the protestant heresies. And they both certainly gave a huge impetuous to education and missionary work whose prime example was the Society of Jesus, which came into existence primarily to fight the heresy brought about by Henry VIII and Martin Luther. Many Jesuits were martyred in England in the century beginning with Henry's apostasy..
from the Catholic Encyclopedia
The term Counter-Reformation denotes the period of Catholic revival from the pontificate of Pope Pius IV in 1560 to the close of the Thirty Years' War, 1648. The name, though long in use among Protestant historians, has only recently been introduced into Catholic handbooks. The consequence is that it already has a meaning and an application, for which a word with a different nuance should perhaps have been chosen. For in the first place the name suggests that the Catholic movement came after the Protestant; whereas in truth the reform originally began in the Catholic Church, and Luther was a Catholic Reformer before he became a Protestant. By becoming a Protestant Reformer, he did indeed hinder the progress of the Catholic reformation, but he did not stop it.
from A Catholic Dictionary, edited by Donald Attwater, Second edition, revised 1957
The 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.
What did Martin Luther contribute?
Martin Luther was one of the key proponents of the Reformation in Germany - which resulted in the Protestant church separating from Catholicism. Basically he became convinced that the Catholic religion of the time had moved away from the truth of the Bible. One of the things he is famous for is asserting that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone.
I suppose that he was that too, but all I was thinking about was the fact that he posted the 95 Theses on the church door of Wittenburg. I have a hunch that they were changes they he believed that the Catholic church need to implement into their way of doing things.
What was Martin Luther trying to do to the Catholic Church?
There were (and are) abuses of power by the Catholic church, such as the selling of indulgences and immorality on the part of the church hierarchy.
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Catholic AnswerMartin Luther attached the Catholic Church because of sin, mostly his own. He was an Augustinian Friar under solemn vows (which he had made voluntarily after years of prayer and reflection) of poverty, chastity, and obedience. He left his Order without even asking for permission or a dispensation from his vows, and proceeded to flaunt all of them - in a rather spectacular fashion. M. Luther had severe problems with Christian morality and rather than repenting, believing in the power of Christ to save him; he rewrote Christianity into something else (now called protestantism and Lutheranism) in which he didn't have to live by the Gospel and could claim he was saved despite himself. He attacked the Catholic Church in an attempt to deny responsibility for his actions.from
Radio Replies, by Fathers Rumble and Carty, 1942
221 The power of Romanism was shattered by Martin Luther, of immortal memory.
Martin Luther is undoubtedly an outstanding figure in history. But the immortal memory of Luther will become less and less pleasant as the facts concerning him become known. Those who idealize Luther can do so only by ignoring an immense amount of inconvenient information. He was a priest of the Catholic Church, but one who was not faithful to his obligations even as a Christian. On his own admissions he was a victim of both immorality and drunkenness; and he was the most intolerant of men. Far from granting liberty of conscience, he refused to allow anyone to think differently from himself, and coolly said, "Whoever teaches otherwise than I teach is a child of hell."
Why is Martin Luther important today?
Yes. The existence of Protestant Christians, and with it, Agnostic, Lutheran, United and soforth, owe their whole existances to Martin Luther. By rejecting the idea of religious Hierarchy and ignoring the near spiritual divinity of the Pope, Martin Luther forever changed the course of Christianity and everyday the Protestant movement exists, so do Martin Luther's influences.
How did Pope Leo X punish Martin Luther?
Like a good Father, Pope Leo X attempted to reason with Martin Luther, and even offered him safe conduct to Rome so that they could meet personally, and discuss Luther's "issues". All attempts at reconciliation and even friendly gestures from Luther's superiors, of which the pope was the highest on earth, were, not just rebuffed, but actually belittled by M. Luther, which is just beyond comprehension.
At the links below you will find two Papal Bulls by Pope Leo X, the first, Exsurge
Domine
is the Bull he issued condemning the errors of Martin Luther on 15 June 1520; the second, Decet
Romanum
Pontificem
is the Bull of Excommunication of Martin Luther and all his followers issued on 3 January 1521.
What did Martin Luther's followers call themselves?
Martin Luther was the leader of the Christian Reformation, that is he started the rebellion against the Roman Catholic church because of what the chatholic church was doing to the people, selling pentances and so forth making them think that the more money they gave for forgiviness of a sin that God would surley forgive them of that sin and they would go to heaven and it would keep them out of hell. The people at that time started calling them selves Lutherans that followed new beliefs of Martin Luther and Martin Luther did not want that but he could not change the people so that is where the Lutheran got their name and where the church got started. Martin Luther aso and formost found in the study of the word that God saves you through his word and that all you have to do is ask God to save you and come into your heart to go to Heaven. This is the biggest difference between the Catholic and the Prodestants today and that is what the Reformation is all about. That is where the name Prodestant came from the word Protest. Martin Luther protested against the Catholic church when he placed his Theses on the door at Worms.
What was some of Martin Luther ideas in the Reformation?
Martin Luther was not the only person involved in reformation other people such as Jan Hus, Peter Waldo, and John Wycliffe had made attempts at reforming the Catholic Church
The selling/abuse of indulgences was a concern of Luther. The reform movement really gained momentum When Martin Luther wrote and made public "The Ninety-Five Theses". This was a list of questions and propositions (mainly about the abuse of indulgences) for public debate.
There were many other teachings and practices of the Late Medieval Catholic Church that Luther and others were not happy with. For example, on a visit to Rome in 1510 Luther was greatly disappointed with the state of religion in Rome.
"He was favourably struck, indeed, with the business administration and police regulations of the papal court, but shocked by the unbelief, levity and immorality of the clergy. Money and luxurious living seemed to have replaced apostolic poverty and self-denial. He saw nothing but worldly splendour at the court of Pope Julius II., who had just returned from the sanguinary siege of a town conducted by him in person". - History of the Christian Church by Philip Schaff
Luther also believed the scriptures should be available for the common people to read, he translated the Bible into everyday German.
"Luther did not have in view the existence of an autonomous church alongside of the existing church. He desired the renewal of the church. He sought for good pastoral care, formulated the necessity for a better theology and expressed a desire for biblical piety". - Dr. Frank van der Pol from Christelijke Encyclopedie, (Kampen, 2005).
Why is Martin Luthers work significant?
Martin Luther helped start the reformation of the Catholic church. On October 31, 1517, Luther posted his 95 theses on the door of the Whitenburg Cathedral (which seems rather bold; however, many people would post things on church doors--a lot like how people post discussion topics on a forum) that discussed the sale of indulgences. (An indulgence is payment of a sin--much like a penance--and they were bought to save people from purgatory. The sale of indulgences was used to fund the construction of St. Peter's Cathedral, sold at different prices to people of different social statuses, and also sold for people that had already died.) Luther taught that salvation was by faith alone and that scripture was the final authority for Christians, not the pope.
Which sacrement did Martin Luther eliminate?
Martin Luther eliminated 5 of the 7 sacraments : he only kept communion and baptism
and he eliminated: confirmation, matrimony, holy orders, anointing of the sick, penance.
Why was Martin Luther's ideas so provocative?
For fifteen centuries, the Church had taught Christianity, excommunicated heretics, and shepherded the Christian faithful throughout life. Martin Luther was an Augustinian friar who was under voluntary obedience to his religious superiors, and voluntary obedience to his Bishop, he was also under religious vows, which he had taken as an adult, after years of reflection, before God in Church. He left his Friary, left his Order, denied his priesthood, denied his religious heritage and led other people out of the Church and opposed the religious authorities and the Holy Father in Rome. His language is not fit to be repeated, Martin Luther was a coarse, irreverent, man who broke all of his vows, publicly ridiculed the authorities, and hid. He then proceeded to make up his own religion from scratch.
What did Martin Luther believe in?
Martin Luther believed that Christians are saved by faith alone in Christ alone.
Why did Luther post the 95 Theses on the church door in Wittenberg?
Martin Luther was concerned about certain practices in the Catholic Church such as the selling of indulgences to free the soul from purgatory.
Martin Luther wrote the 95 Theses in Latin because that was another thing he thought was wrong with the Catholic Church and posted them on the door of the Schlosskirche (Palais Church) in Wittenberg because he wanted to correct what he saw as the church's mistakes. Two students Luther taught reprinted the complaints in German so everyone understood them.
What did martin Luther hope to achieve by postinq the 95 theses?
Luther had come to believe that Christians are saved through faith and not through their own efforts. Luther became increasingly angry about the clergy selling 'indulgences' - promised remission from punishments for sin, either for someone still living or for one who had died and was believed to be in purgatory. On 31 October 1517, he published his '95 Theses', attacking papal abuses and the sale of indulgences. with money and balls in your mouth
Why did Catholics dislike Martin Luther?
He told them the truth: they were being greedy and almost entirely the opposite of what they should have been as Christian leaders. Nobody likes being told they are wrong, especially when they know it to be true and when people might start to realise and do something about it. In their case, the easiest way out was to simply excommunicate him and denounce him as a heretic, or an evildoer of many types.
What is the name of the Catholic Church year?
The name of the yearly cycle that the Roman Catholic Church undergoes is called the Liturgical Year. There are several Liturgical Seasons celebrated during the Mass and throughout her Liturgy. They are written in order: Advent/Christmas, Ordinary Time, Lent/Easter, Pentecost (for one week, the Church offers Mass for Pentecost), and Ordinary Time. The Liturgical Year ends on the last week of Ordinary Time, on the feast of Christ the King. Then, the Liturgical Cycle begins again with Advent. It is noteworthy to mention that the Church creates a new Paschal Candle with the current year at the Easter Vigil, on the night before Easter Sunday. There is also a Cycle with the Gospels: Cycle A, Cycle B, Cycle C. In each of these cycles, which changes as does the Liturgical Year, different Gospel authors are read at the Liturgies. I hope this answers your question.
Why did Martin Luther's account of his break with the Church change between 1517 and 1535?
In 1517, when Martin Luther posted his Ninety-five Theses, he was a remarkably ignorant (for a professor of theology) man who was accusing the Church of things that it never believe in, or asking why they didn't believe in things, which, in reality, they already believed in. In 1535, he wrote his second commentary on Galatians in which he tried to prove and explain his "justification by faith alone" in which he asserts that Christ doesn't really changethe person, so much as He imputes righteousness to him. In other words, he is not arguing against the Catholic Church so much in 1535 as he is trying to explain his own ridiculous notions of salvation that he made up out of thin air, completely repudiating 1,500 years of Church teaching back to Christ's revelation to His Church. See links below:
What changes did Martin Luther make to the Catholic church?
The changes Martin Luther made to the catholic church were: They had to print the bible in more than one language. He also thought that people should not have to pay the church to ask for god's forgiveness for a sin. Remember this is not Martin Luther King Jr.
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Wait a minute - While Fr. Martin Luther was a Roman Catholic priest, it is absurd to think he singlehandedly change the Catholic Church!
Instead, he set about to create his own group - those who protested - and they became known as the Protestants. While the Catholic Church does NOT require anyone to pay the Church to ask for forgiveness, in the Middle Ages (much like today) there were corrupt people who took advantage of the poor and uneducated and charged a "fee" for an "indulgence." The uneducated people of the day saw indulgences as "get out of Hell free" cards.
In addition, Luther could not accept the Church's authority on issues of faith and morals. He could not believe in the doctrine of transubstantiation and decided that instead of having faith, he'd make a new church that was easier to follow and devoid of any of the difficult dogma of the Catholic Church.
Certainly Luther was right about the grievous sin of taking advantage of the uneducated and poor, he was wrong about Transubstantiation. He could have done the world a great deal of good had he worked for change from within instead of causing division.
What was the name of the document Martin Luther posted on the doors of Castle Church?
Luther posted what has become known as his 95 Theses. These listed his concerns at some practices in the Catholic Church, especially the selling of indulgences to gain release from purgatory. A copy of them can be seen at the link below.
What church practices did Martin Luther become outraged by?
Attached below is a English copy of Martin Luther's 95 Theses which contain the Church practices that he was questioning, I think "outraged" might be a bit over the top. Most the practices he was questioning were connected with indulgences, pardons, and confession, however, a quick look through his 95 Theses even by a first year seminarian would quickly reveal that Martin Luther really didn't know what he was talking about, many of the things that he asked for were already Church teaching. I believe that the practice that Martin Luther was most upset about was the fact that the Church asked him to lead a moral life as Luther spent the rest of his life trying to justify why he didn't have to repent and reform his life.
What were the indulgences and why did Martin Luther object to them?
Indulgences were what the church was selling, it was forgiveness.. people had to pay the church to be forgiven. Martin Luther objected to them because he belived that the church was wrong and that the bible had the last word, because it was the word of god. He belived that if someone was really sorry they would be forgiven.
What did the 95 Theses criticize?
The 95 Theses challenged the authority of the Roman Catholic church.
Who tried to kill Martin Luther King Jr?
It was James Earl Ray an American criminal who was accused Murder, prison escape,armed robbery, and burglary.
