Protestant Reformation: Martin Luther

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Protestant Reformation Martin Luther

• Forerunners of the Reformation Wycliffe Hus.
• Luther film (questions).
• Luthers Christian Liberty.

Luthers Catechism
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John Wycliffe (1330-1384)

• English philosopher, theologian reformer
• Criticized the corruption of the church
• Advocated translation of the Bible into English
• Maintained that the Bible was the sole criterion
  of doctrine
• Attempted to limit the authority of the pope
• Attacked the doctrine of transubstantiation
• Condemned by the council of Constance in 1415

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Jan Hus (1372-1415)

• Bohemian reformer
• influenced by Wycliffes ideas about the
  authority of scripture
• protested against the sale of indulgencies
• burned at the stake in 1415

Hus at the council of Constance
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Passing the Flame of the Reformation
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Factors in favor of the Reformation in 16th c.

• Duke Frederick the Wise of Saxony (left)
  protected Luther. Printing press (right) made
  wide and fast dissemination of Reformations
  ideas possible.

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Luther Film questions

• How did Luther view God initially?
• How and why did his view of God change?
• What are indulgencies and why was he opposed to
  them?
• What did Luther declare at the Leipzig debate?
• What was the Popes response?
• Why did Luther refuse to retract what he said at
  the Diet of Worms?

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Johann Tetzel, mighty preacher of indulgencies

• The last line of this woodcut reads as soon as
  the gold in the basin rings, right then the soul
  to heaven springs.

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Reformation woodcut
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Martin Luther (1483-1546).

• German Reformer
• Protested against the sale of indulgencies in his
  95 Theses
• Advocated the principle of sola scriptura
• Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone
• Criticized the doctrine of transubstantiation

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Luther at the Diet of Worms (1521)
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Christian Liberty (seminar questions)

• Identify two propositions concerning the freedom
  and bondage of human person (p. 2) Where do they
  come from?
• Compare 1 Cor 919 For though I am free with
  respect to all, I have made myself a slave to
  all, so that I might win more of them.

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Christian Liberty questions (contd)

• On p. 3 Luther makes a distinction between the
  inner and the outer man. How do you understand
  this distinction?
• Acc. to Luther, what things are not necessary for
  Christian life? (p. 4-5)
• What is the only thing that is necessary? (p. 5)
• The Word is received by faith. What does it mean
  to have faith? (p. 8-9)
• What is the main function of the OT commandments?
  (p. 11-12)
• What are the powers or benefits of faith? (pp.
  15-19).
• What is the function of works? (p. 33-39)
• What is the relationship between works and
  character? (p. 39-42)