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Luthers religious criticisms
Martin Luther and his criticisms
Martin Luther and his criticisms
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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. In the first and second section, Martin Luther exclaims that if you want to know what good works to do, know the commandments and follow them accordingly. He also says not to judge works by their magnitude, number, or appearance. I like the way Luther uses biblical evidence when arguing a point. I think that is missing more these days, most pastors just preach sermons on saving money, and treating others with respect without giving biblical evidence for us to look back upon. I agree with his statement that works should not be judged. A work is a work no matter how big, or how many, or what work. In the second section, Martin Luther preaches against "learned" men telling others that it isn't necessary to be sure if your life pleases God, even though all the men teach of is works. Luther thinks all these things are done without faith so they don't even count to God. He also defends himself against people saying that he is downing good works, when really he is just teaching works of the faith. I agree with works of the faith instead of just works, works isn't something you have to do or should do, it is something that you should want to do once you have the faith and become a Christian. In the third and fourth section, Martin Luther describes that other people think narrowly about works, but he believes that during your daily routine you can be working and worshiping God. He says to draw all works from faith and exclude all that "do not flow from it". I agree that all things should be done with in faith and God. All things are for him, and shall remain so. In the fourth section, he describes that if your heart is confident in a work then it is pleasing to God, but if you doubt then the work is now not good. He also goes on to say that no work is good but through faith alone.
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
First, before exploring Luther’s rejection of the peasant revolt, one must examine his explanation of Christian freedom. Written in 1520, The Freedom of a Christian proclaimed the new freedom to be found in salvation by faith alone. His doctrine liberated people from works but also from the laws of the Old Testament. Salvation was found in the promise of Go...
King Jr., Martin Luther, ed. Readings in Christian Ethics: A Historical Sourcebook. Edited by J. Philip Wogaman and Douglas M. Strong. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 1996.
Martin Luther was not fond of the practices the Roman Catholic church of indulgences. Indulgences are a practice where worshippers would pay their priest which granted remission for their sins (“Indulgences."). This practice became increasingly corrupt. In the 95 Theses, Luther, became prominent in the Protestant Reformation due to its humble and academic tone (A&E Television Networks, LLC.). For example, in the second theses he states, “The word cannot be properly understood as referring to the sacrament of penance, i.e. confession and satisfaction, as administered by the clergy.” This means that only god can give salvation, not a priest. He is questioning why we must pay to re...
On October 31, 1517 Martin Luther’s ideas changed the way Europe thought about God, economics, culture, even the truth. Luther was a monk who read Jon Hus and Erasmus’ criticisms of the Church. Luther believed Christianity was a lot simpler than what the Catholic Church tried to teach. He stated that the way to salvation was through faith, not good works. In his piece, On the Freedom of a Christian he states, “...when any man is made good or bad, this does not arise from his works, but from his faith or unbelief.” As stated in one of his 95 theses, salvation was based on an individual’s own relationship with God. Additionally, to guide faith an individual must interpret the Scripture themselves. The Scripture was infallible. Luther rejected celibacy, purgatory and monasteries because they were inventions outside of the Scripture. Contrary to the
When he sinned he looked for comfort in confession and followed the penance, the fasting, prayer and observances that the church directed him. But, he found no peace of mind and worried about his salvation. But reading St. Paul’s letters he came to believe that salvation came though faith in Christ. Faith is a free gift, he discovered, it cannot be earned. His studies led him to a conclusion that, “Christ was the only mediator between God and a man and that forgiveness of sin and salvation are given by god’s grace alone” (Martin Luther, 01).
Through these essays, he showed the church for what they really had become, which was money hungry and more political than religious. Luther also pointed out the fact that high officials were able to hold more than one position. If they had that many responsibilities, they wouldn’t be doing their jobs as effectively as they should have been. If Martin Luther hadn’t been brave enough to publish and spread his ideas through these essays, many people wouldn’t have realized what was wrong with the church during that
Waibel, Paul R. Martin Luther: A Brief Introduction to His Life and Works. Wheeling, IL: Harlan Davidson, 2005. Print.
Martin Luther’s views on human individualism come from his rebellion against the Catholic Church. Since Luther stressed the idea that salvation comes through faith alone, priests and other clergymen of the church are not necessary, according to Luther. One of the ways that Luther describes becoming a Christian is the distinction between the physical nature and the spiritual nature. Physical nature is an outward, or old man. In contrast, the spiritual nature is a new man, or the soul (9). Luther uses II Cor. 4:16 to describe this process which says, “Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed every day.” This change of heart and nature that Luther describes is done solely by the individual with the help of the Holy Spirit. According to Luther’s writing, the most important aspect of human individualism is an individual’s faith and character. An individual’s character, according to Luther, is de...
Bainton is very descriptive as he convincingly describes Luther’s character and portrays Luther as a man of religious, political, economic, and social convictions. Bainton confirms that Luther’s definitive view that political and social forms were to him a matter of comparative indifference and he believed that the atrocities and greed were ultimately blamed on man's relationship to God. Eloquently written, Bainton, “Translates the passages from sources into his own lively English style so that the text and quotation blend harmoniously in a smoothly flowing narrative.”
Luther fully devoted himself to the monkish life. He continued his efforts, doing good works and praying for other’s souls. He felt these things would please God. “The Roman Catholic Church taught that an individual could gain favour with God by what were called "good works". Luther believed that he, as a sinner, was condemned in the eyes of God and that nothing could help him. Despite doing many good works, Luther found no peace of mind.”(History learning) To Luther, it seemed, the more he tried doing for God, the more aware of his sins he
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”).
Importantly, works were not to be viewed, in any way, shape, or form, as the means to justification and grace. The only way one can achieve righteousness, according to Luther, is through faith. The pursuit of good works as the means to salvation could be as detrimental to grace as ignorance of sin. He believes that the Roman Catholic Church distorts the role of good works in a Christian’s life because he believes the doctrine of salvation by faith. That the work of Christ on the Cross is the salvation, then one will want to do good works. Catholics believed the good works bring
In “Treatise on Christian Liberty” and “On the Jews and Their Lies” he is very focused on spiritual equality and that no one has authority over your self but yourself. Being a Christian humanist is about finding out what it means to be human through the lenses of being a Christian. Luther, who is eager to learn about the bible, is described as a Christian humanist. One of his claims is that works do not matter, because if you are saved they come naturally, and that works are a real representation of what is going on in your heart. Luther was big on communicating with God and human spirituality; he says, “Therefore there is need of the prayer that the Lord may give us and make us theodidacti, that is, those taught by God”.
His “95 theses” was a list of statements posted on the door of the castle church that showed his concerns about the church practices. The “95 theses” were based on Luther's deeper concerns with the church. When Luther experienced a spiritual crisis he realized no matter how non sinful he was he still was thinking sinful thought. He found a way out of his problem when he read “The just shall live by faith” written by St.Paul. He concluded God's grace is something freely given to humans not something to earn.Martin Luther questioned everything and that led him to believe in the bible