More handpicked essays just for you.
Impact of the Protestant Reformation
The person and teaching of martin luther
Protestant Reformation influence
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Kittelson, James M. Luther the Reformer: The Story of the Man and His Career. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2003. James Kittelson’s biography on the life of Luther is thought provoking and informative. Kittelson does not have a concise thesis, but as it is a biography the central theme of Luther the Reformer is an insightful narrative of Martin Luther’s life from his birth in Eisleben until his death on February 18, 1546 in Eisleben. Kittelson thoroughly and with great detail and sources explains Luther’s mission to reform the catholic church. Luther the Reformer seeks to condense Luther’s life in a manner which is more easily read for those who do not know the reformer’s story well. Luther is portrayed not only as a theologian throughout the book, but as a person with struggles and connections throughout the Germanic region in which he lived. Luther’s theology is portrayed throughout the entirety of the book, and Kittelson approaches Luther’s theology by explaining Luther’s past. The inclusion of …show more content…
Kittelson effectively composed the book and created the biography to be an interesting look into the life of Martin Luther. His successful usage of primary source documents and information compounded with his personal literary explanation of Luther’s journey toward reformation and peace with God. Kittelson’s book is not without humor either, he includes direct quotes and dialogue between Luther and Zwingli debating the Lord’s Supper. The insults and demonstrative behavior show Luther as he was, a reformer, who wished to convince others of the power of the gospel. This engaging study is both informative and engaging. Luther the Reformer is a good biography for anyone interested in Martin Luther’s life and interested in learning more about why his journey impacted not only the Roman church then, but the entirety of the Christian Church to this
In this essay Martin Luther comments upon the role of good works in a Christian's life and the overall goal of a Christian in his or her walk. He writes seventeen different sections answering the critics of his teachings. I will summarize and address each one of these sections in the following essay.
At the beginning of the sixteenth century church theologian, Martin Luther, wrote the 95 Theses questioning the corruption of the Roman Catholic Church. In this essay I will discuss: the practices of the Roman Catholic Church Martin Luther wanted to reform, what Martin’s specific criticism of the pope was, and the current practices Pope Francis I is interested in refining in the Roman Catholic Church today.
Thesis: Martin Luther was by far one of the most influential people in Church history. His doctrine on faith and works was instrumental in the success of the reformation and has since become a cornerstone of the church we know today.
The practices of The Catholic Church during the sixteenth century caused a monk named Martin Luther to question The Church’s ways. Luther watched as families suffered physically, emotionally and economically by the hands of The Church. Luther saw no basis for The Church to charge people for their sins or prevent them from learning to read The Bible themselves. He watched as the money built up The Palace, yet tore apart the fundamental and spiritual reasons one goes to church in the first place. In an effort to change the practices of The Church, he wrote the 95 Thesis. In these, he stated his views on the abuses of The Church. This was the beginning of a large movement that would change religious practices over the world.
Martin Luther, also known as the “Reformator,” was a superior asset in the Protestant Reformation. He was born on November 10, 1483 in the town of Eisleben, which was located in East Germany. Luther’s parents were Hans Luder and Margaretha nee Lindemann. His father was a farmer and later became a copper miner in Mansfeld. Martin Luther’s parents brought him up in the strict environment of the Roman Catholic Church. With his new job in Mansfeld, Hans made the decision to move his family there in 1484. Hans expected Martin to become a lawyer, so Luther went to Erfurt in 1501 to study law. Luther received his master’s degree in 1505. Shortly after this, he felt like law was not the right place for him. This act upset his father, not only because he dropped out of the university, but he decided that he wanted to become an Augustinian monk in Erfurt. Luther believed that if he was serious about his religion, he could please and do good works for God. However, once again, he was still unhappy. Luther decided to make another life-changing decision by studying theology. He went to Wittenberg to study this subject. Martin...
Garraty, John A., and Mark C. Carnes. "Martin, Luther." American National Biography. Vol. 14. New York: Oxford UP, 1999. 605-08. Print.
Martin Luther is often noted as the most prolific of the Protestant reformist. . “Luther was also not a Church reformer in the strict sense of the term. He did not set out to attack monasticism or abuses in the life of the Church (Steinmetz 1979).” However, what became known as the Lutheran movement, sparked the protestant reformation. Also, his conviction of unethical practices of the Catholic Church is a renowned act of study across all discipli...
with his 95 Theses. A strict father who most likely did not accept “no” as an
Martin Luther a German theologian and religious reformer was the founding figure of the protestant reformation, the break from the Catholic Church, which in many ways marks the beginning of modern Europe. A well-expressed preacher and huge writer, Luther attacked many abuses of the Catholic Church, especially the papacy. The source of his spiritual revelation was not political or institutional but came from his inner fight of conscience. Like other people of his day, Luther was horrified that god would in the end reject him for his sins. He found a word in the bible called “Law” which increased his terror, but he also discovered a word god called “Gospel,” the good news and promise of mercy in Christ, which shed all of his worries. By his words and actions, Luther caused an action that reformulated certain rudimentary Christian belief and the division of Western Church between Roman Catholics and the Protestant traditions. He is one of the most influential person in the history of Christianity.
Martin Luther is one of the most influential people in Christian history. He called into question the basic tenets of Catholicism and changed the course of the history of Christianity. Luther was born on November 10, 1483 in Eisleben, Germany. His parents, Hans and Margarette Luther, were peasants but were successful miners. Luther’s father worked hard for Luther’s education and at the age of seven was put into school. He compared his school experience to “purgatory and hell”. In 1501 it seemed Luther was on his way in becoming a lawyer until he cried out to the patron saints of miners during a storm and was saved. He then committed to becoming a monk. Historians say “this was not a spontaneous act, but an idea already formulated in Luther’s mind. The decision to become a monk was difficult and greatly disappointed his father, but he felt he must keep a promise” (“Martin Luther Biography”).
Through Martin Luther’s intense discourse, he created a new sect of Christianity. He composed books, allowing people to pursue their thoughts. His fierce words permitted numerous individuals in Europe to understand what the church was really about and not how they saw it. Despite the fact that Martin Luther rebelled against the church, he was a talented speaker who extended Christianity by composing the 95 Thesis.
By Luther’s time, the Catholic Church stressed above all else, not the growth of the Christian, but how to avoid eternal damnation in Hell. After a close encounter with death, he soon determined that joining the monastery was the best way to assure his salvation from Hell, but as he earnestly fasted and spent nights in sleep-deprivation, Luther did not feel that the “self-help” approach taught by the Church had helped. While he was in Rome, he began to doubt the validity of many Catholic teachings. Luther obtained his doctorate and became a teacher of the Bible, which allowed him to discover the Truth: that man’s salvation comes solely through faith.
...ed he was a visionary leader when he challenged the status quo of the Roman Catholic Church attempting to use change management. Through diversity, individual consideration, and intellectual stimulation, he changed the simple minded that led to a reformation. Secondly, this essay described Martin Luther’s struggle with the ethical leadership and critical thinking traits of principle, intellectual humility, integrity, personal biases and prejudices, ethical trap of relativism, and worry over image.. Finally this essay described how Martin Luther’s example related to me and my own hindrance in the bandwagon fallacy. In conclusion, while the facts state that he was not an ethical leader, it did prove that he was a visionary leader. Perhaps that part of his legacy is what inspired the name change of MLK Jr, the pioneer of the African American Civil Rights Movement.
Vorton, Jesse. "Martin Luther's greatest accomplishments as a reformer." Helium. N.p., 18 Oct 2010. Web. 1 Dec 2011. .
Piper, John. "Martin Luther Lessons from his Life and Labor." desiringGod. Desiring God Foundation, n.d. Web. 11 Mar 2014. .