What were the key factors in the success of Luther’s ideas, and how did they impact the development of Germany as a nation state? Martin Luther was the central figure behind what we now know as the Reformation and the development of Protestantism in Germany and beyond. His translation of the Bible revolutionised the German language and brought the word of God to ordinary German people, meaning the Church no longer held a monopoly on knowledge of the scriptures. While Luther’s Bible united the common German people, it also caused a permanent rift in the Catholic church, the effects of which can still be seen in Germany today. In his Open Letter on Translation, Luther explains how he modelled his language after the language of the ordinary folk. …show more content…
At this time, Germany existed as an assortment of various states and cities under the Holy Roman Empire, rather than the modern concept of “Germany”. Luther was called upon to retract his views at the Diet of Worms in 1521, however he instead stood firm by his beliefs. Because of how political power in Germany was divided, Luther did not go into hiding as one would expect, however he was instead given protection by Elector Frederick, who sheltered him at Wartburg Castle. From the safety of Wartburg Castle, Luther completed his translation of the New Testament in September 1522, using Erasmus’ New Testament as a frame of reference. Luther’s translation was not the first – there were at least 18 German editions of the Bible prior to 1520. However, none had reached a level of success remotely comparable to that of Luther’s. After completing the New Testament, Luther began working on the translation of the Old Testament, which proved to be a much greater challenge, due to the length of the text and Luther’s limited knowledge of Hebrew. By 1534, Luther had published the complete version of his translation of the Bible. Like the previous German translations, the Catholic Church branded his work as heresy. Unlike the previous translations, the Lutheran Bible was being read at a pace the Church couldn’t keep up with. The Lutheran Bible had sold over half a million copies in Luther’s lifetime. By giving the lower classes access to the word of God in a language they could comprehend, Luther effectively weakened the influence of the Catholic Church in Germany, with many German states choosing to adopt Luther’s
Kittelson, James M. Luther the Reformer: The Story of the Man and His Career. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2003.
Martin Luther 's, a Catholic monk, problem with the Latin Church is he believed they weren’t true Christians and were doing things unbiblical. Luther believed getting into Heaven was that the only way to get into Heaven was through to have faith and love in God. He also believed a process the Catholica would use called purchasing indulgences. Indulgences was paying a fee to get yourself or a loved one out of purgatory and into heaven but it really was basically a fundraiser. Luther believed it took money from the poor who needed it needlessly. The Church also had a high price on viewing relics again for the same power the money was to build the Catholic Church but it was taught to be to get closer to God. Luther was devoted to finding
The political organization and religion aspects during the 16th century influenced Protestant Reformation to occur in Germany. Martin Luther’s writings reflect on his views and perspectives of German politics and religion at the time. Martin Luther’s ideas in the Letter to the Christian Nobility of the German Nation and The Statement of Grievances mentions Martin Luther’s thoughts about how corrupt the church is, why the corruption in the church needs to end, and what Martin Luther’s ideas are to change the way of the church.
Thesis statement: Martin Luther was responsible for the break-up of the Catholic Church Martin Luther was a representative during the 16th century of a desire widespread of the renewal and reform of the Catholic Church. He launched the Protestant reform a continuation of the medieval religious search. From the Middle ages, the church faced many problems such as the Babylonian Captivity and the Great Schism that hurt the prestige of the church. Most of the clergy lived in great luxury while most people were poor and they set an immoral example. The clergy had low education and many of them didn’t attend their offices.
Martin Luther's Impact on Germany Although we remember Luther as the 'great thinker who sparked the reformation with his revolutionary ideas', it would be unfair to not acknowledge that Luther was the first to form these new ideas. Many attempts at reform had been attempted prior to Luther, led by heresies such as John Wycliffe, John Hus et al. In fact, during the course of Christianity there has been resistance and dissent, attempts at reform. Fortunately for Luther, when he made his idea and theses public, the German or rather Holy Roman Empire was in such a state that made conditions very well suited for the acceptance and spread of his words. The conditions that I speak of can be mostly categorised within certain headings, Religious, Cultural, Social, Economic and Political causes.
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.
of the Bible became the basis for which Martin Luther translated the Bible into German because he
“The end of life is not to be happy, nor to achieve pleasure and avoid pain, but to do the will of God, come what may.”(Raushenbush)
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...
The reformation and Lutheranism is dated to officially begin on October 31, 1517. On this date, a German monk named Martin Luther posted his nightly-five theses to doors of a Church at Wittenberg. What Luther did was not something that is would have been unusual, since this was the common way to propose a topic to debate.1 However, Luther 's 95 theses challenged the Catholic Church 's practice of selling indulgences.2 Ultimately, the Church viewed this not as a theological topic worthy of discussion, but rather something challenging their authority.3 As a result, Pope Leo X excommunicated Luther in 1520.4 Furthermore, in 1521, at the Diet of Worms, Luther was summoned to appear at an Imperial Diet before Charles V and told to recant his writings.5 To this Luther replied: “I neither can nor will recant anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. God help me, Amen.”6 Luther continued his work and studies and as he continued, he began to question more Church dogma and teach doctrines contrary to that of the Catholic church. These doctrinal standards of Luther were finally written up in the Augsburg Confession, Apology of the Augsburg, Luther 's Catechisms, all of which eventually were included in the official doctrinal book of Lutheranism, the Book of Concord.7 The spread of Lutheranism, however, did not go without a response, as the Catholic Church began a counter-reformation, which
Martin Luther King was one of the greatest civil right activists in American history. Martin Luther King impacted American society in many ways and one of the most important things he did for America was weakening racism in America. At the time when he was living, colored people living America were treated differently with white people. For example colored people needed a pass to go through certain places, they could not go to the same school as white people and it was much harder for colored people to get a job compare to white people. Martin Luther king thought these were wrong. He also thought these were against American dream. For him American dream meant every people having equal rights, opportunity and freedom. What was happening in America were completely against these. To fix this problem, Martin Luther King moved around the country and did nonviolent protest and organized a peaceful marching which attracted national attention showing brutality of police that were trying to stop the march. Martin Luther King also delivered a lot of speeches that inspired many people all over the world and one of his speeches include “I have a Dream.” One of the most famous speeches in America. In this speech he clearly explain his own opinion of how he think everyone should be treated
Martin Luther King, Jr., overcame struggles during his time which were, racism, discrimination and segregation. He was not always named Martin and neither was his father. Around the first time Martin, Jr., got baptized him and his father changed their names from Michael to Martin. King was born on January 15, 1929. He died on April 4, 1968. Martin graduated with a bachelor's degree in divinity studies. He then enters Boston University. Not to long after that did he marry Corrette Scott in Marion, Alabama, on June 18, 1953. He had three kids by the names of Yolanda Denise, Martin Luther King the third, Bernice Albertina and Dexter Scott. All during this time colored people are being discriminated against and Martin wants to put a stop to it. Because of his acts to stop racism his birthday was made a national holiday on November 2, 1983.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. When most Americans hear that name the first thing that comes to mind is his “Dream”. But that is not all he was. His life was more than a fight against segregation, it was segregation. He lived it and overcame it to not only better himself but to prove it could be done and to better his fellow man.
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.
The Reformation in Germany, which made a major impact on world history, was started by Martin Luther when, on a quest for his own personal salvation, became disillusioned with the Roman Catholic Church and began to speak out about his beliefs. This essay will describe and account for the progress of the Reformation in Germany to c. AD 1535 by outlining Luther’s life to 1517, the conflict that followed his Ninety-Five Theses, and the disputes of 1518 – 1520. Luther’s trial before the Diet of Worms and the support of the Protestant Princes will also be accounted for. Furthermore, Luther’s Bible, which helped greatly in the spread of the German Reformation, will be described. This essay will help give an understanding of the importance and lasting effect of the Reformation in Germany.