Martin Luther's Argumentative Essay

What if someone was told that everything they knew about life was wrong? This is essentially what Martin Luther did. Martin Luther was a German theologist and troubled individual whose controversial ideas were a vital part in shattering the way people thought about how they worshiped god. In a time where the church and religion ran the government he was a monk that challenged the accepted way of thinking. In doing so Luther triggered a series of political and social reforms that would forever change the way man viewed the world. He was a very influential figure in his time; as a result, many people looked up to him. Luther’s personal troubles, and his problems with the system that was in place caused him to question the god that he had been

taught to worship.
Many would agree that Luther was a very troubled individual.

In order to understand why he was troubled, it’s important to first look into who he was. Luther was a scholar that after an accident converted to being a monk. He was a very dedicated monk that quickly rose through the ranks and became a religious leader. Luther would pray, fast, read and perform many other good works in order to appease God. Even after all of his work Luther could never quite find peace with god. (“Martin Luther 1”) In the fall of 1515 Luther found his answer to why he couldn’t find god. While reading the letters and books of the new testament Luther found these lines: “"For it is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, The just shall live by faith."(“Martin Luther 1”) Luther then understood why he never felt he could appease god. The system that was in place had the church act as a gateway between man and god. He believed that anyone should be able to find god. This belief caused Luther to attack the Jews; although, Luther had a deep love for the Jewish people and believed that they should worship the same god as the christians. This love for the Jews and hatred for their customs caused Luther’s views to form an anti-Jewish bias. His ideas and attacks on ursery are partly responsible for the anti-semitic views of the Nazis. He sparked a new way of thinking for medieval

man.
Luther’s new way of thinking was not met without resistance. His ideas changed the way people worshiped god. This new form of worship was actually a number of reforms in how people worshiped god by focusing on preaching and teaching of the bible, as opposed to focus on the sacrament of the alter. (“Martin Luther 1”) Luther lived in a time where the church was very strong and played a large role in the government. He lived in a time where the church was using its status as a gateway between man and god to make a profit through offering indulgences, or god’s forgiveness for sins. He recognized the corruption of the church, and how flawed the system that was in place was. Luther revolutionized the worship of god, shattering the unity of the church and sparking a new age of thinking. Since Luther’s ideas said that the bible was the final authority; therefore, removing the church as a gateway between man and god, he was punished legally. June 1520, Pope Leo X labeled Luther as a heretic and excommunicated him.(Martin Luther 1) Luther was given a chance to change his mind and accept the church once again but in his hearing Luther stated that he did not believe in the holy council, not did he believe in the pope because they were proven to be flawed and even contradict themselves. In response to Luther’s denial the assembled princes of the holy roman empire “Act[ed] in the name of the emperor, declar[ing] Luther to be an imperial outlaw and placed him under a sentence of death.” (“Martin Luther 2”) In denying their power, Luther challenged the authority of the church and was sentenced to death.
Luther’s ideas were hated by the church because they challenged their practices. When he Posted his 95 theses it symbolized the start of the church being separated from government. His ideas played a vital role in the fall of the church. While his ideas were met with much resistance they still played a large role in changing society. Since his ideas benefitted the common man and allowed people to feel as though they were not pleasing god, they became really popular. Some people think that Martin Luther was a hero because his “95 theses” took power away from the
church. The image “ In appreciation of reformation day” shows Luther’s determination clearly.

Figure: "Martin Luther » The Glorious Deeds of Christ." Martin Luther » The Glorious Deeds of Christ.

Web. 16 Nov. 2015.

The nailing of the “95 theses” was a critical moment in Luther’s life. T. In the image Luther is shown nailing the “95 theses” to the door of a church. His expression is intense and determined at the same time. Luther knew that the church was abusing its power. Through indulgences and other methods, the church had been abusing its power for many years and his new system of worship removed the church from the equation allowing the common man to find god without the church. Luther did not stop at his “95 theses” for years he would write and develop his ideas further. In July 1519 “Luther got an opportunity to debate his theses. . .at the University of Leipzig.” (Martin Luther 1) Luther debated with Johann Eck, who was a leading theologian at the time. over the authority of the church and other authorities because they conflicted with his ideas and beliefs. Luther believed that scripture, or the bible was the final authority, this belief is the reason that Luther so passionately went against the church and played a large role in the transition to modern age

thinking.
Martin Luther was a German theologist and troubled individual whose controversial ideas were a vital part in shattering the way people thought about how they worshiped god. When he couldn’t find peace with god Luther searched for the reason why. He realized that the reason he couldn’t find peace with god was because the church and the church hierarchy was in between him and god. The transition from the church to scripture was a vital part in the fall of the church and the rise of modern day thinking. Luther was a critical in the falling of the church but this does not mean that he was perfect. His misguided love for the Jews intensified much of hatred in the world for the Jewish people. His ideas have helped mold the society we live in today by shattering the unity of the church and causing a separation between church and government.