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MARTIN LUTHER and the GERMAN REFORMATION I. Mansfeld

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MARTIN LUTHER AND THE GERMAN REFORMATION LUTHER’S EARLY YEARS I. Mansfeld, Mining and the Luder family (1483-1501) A. Middle class lifestyle; Hans and Margaret Luder B. Influence of Mansfeld years: toughness, importance of creating networks, how to be a leader, respect for class distinctions II. The Scholar and the Monk (1501-1511) A. 1501 entered the University of Erfurt; via moderna curriculum; Humanism; completed B.A, M.A; headed for law school B. July 1505 frightened by thunderstorm and vows to become a monk. Enters Augustinian monastery; continues scholarly studies; Johann von Staupitz becomes his mentor C. Battles religious despair and depression; comes to insist on the primacy of scripture as source of all authority. III. Wittenberg (1511-1517) A. 1511, Luther relocates to the Augustinian monastery in Wittenberg; teaches at the university B. Frederick III building castle in Wittenberg, huge relic collection; first portrait of Luther by Lucas Cranach the Elder; awarded a doctor of theology degree in 1512 at age 28; he taught Romans, Hebrews and Galatians; Tower experience of 1515 C. Indulgence controversy; Posts 95 Theses on Oct. 31, 1517; due to printing press, known all over Germany in period of two months IV. Luther and the Wider World (1518-1521) A. Audience with Cardinal Cajetin, Oct. 1518; released from monastic vows by Staupitz B. Leipzig Debate with Johann Eck, June 1519; Luther forced to clarify his views C. Wrote Babylonian Captivity of the Church and To the Christian Nobility of Germany, 1520 D. Excommunicated by Pope Leo X E. Refuses to recant at Diet of Worms, April 18, 1521; “kidnapped” and taken to Wartburg Castle Page 1 of 2 THE FUNDAMENTAL THEMES OF LUTHER’S REFORMS 1. The Bible is the ultimate foundation of all Christian belief and practice. For Luther, the Bible was central to the life and thought of the church, as it was to the personal devotion of the individual Christian. Much of Luther’s early work focused on making the Bible accessible to German Christians- above all by translating it into the German language. 2. The text of the Bible, and all preaching based upon it, should be in the everyday language of the people. When the liturgy, the Bible, preaching, and theological textbooks were published only in Latin, ordinary Christians were excluded from reflecting and debating about faith. 3. Salvation is a free unmerited gift of God, received by faith. This belief, often referred to as ”justification by faith alone” was central to Luther’s reforming agenda. If this idea is misunderstood or denied, the church loses its identity and the gospel is compromised- which was precisely what Luther believed to have taken place during the Middle Ages. 4. There is no fundamental distinction between clergy and laity. This idea is known as the “priesthood of all believers.” Clergy and laity alike should receive communion in both kinds (bread and wine). Clergy should be allowed to marry, like anyone else. 5. The reform of the church’s life and thought was not about beginning from scratch. Luther wanted to reform the existing Christian church. It was no accident that Luther summarized his reforming program as, “the Bible and St. Augustine”. He wanted his readers to understand that the foundation of his thought was the Bible, as read through the great religious heroes of the past. Adapted from Alister McGrath, Christianity’s Dangerous Idea, pp. 57-58 FACTORS LEADING TO LUTHER’S SUCCESS 1. The political Protection of Frederick the Wise, ruler of Saxony, kept him from the fate of Jan Hus. 2. The rise of German nationalism. Germans were tired of Rome sucking out the wealth of Germany and sending it to the Vatican. 3. The esteem in which Luther was held in Humanist circles. Humanists were responsible for printing Luther’s works and spreading his reputation. Luther, however, was not a humanist. 4. The rapid and widespread distribution of his works by the printing press. Luther was the most published author in the early sixteenth century. THUS, IN THE FULLNESS OF TIME, THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH WAS BROUGHT OUT OF THE DARKNESS INTO THE LIGHT. POST TENEBRAS LUX Page 2 of 2 .
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