Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation

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Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation
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Biographical Background
At the age of seventeen, in 1501, he entered the
University of Erfurt. According to his father's
wishes, he enrolled in the law school of that
university. All that changed during a
thunderstorm in the summer of 1505. A lightning
bolt struck near him as he was returning to
school. Terrified, he cried out, "Help, Saint
Anne! I'll become a monk!" His life spared,
Luther left law school and entered the
Augustinian monastery in Erfurt. In 1507, he was
ordained to the priesthood, and in 1508, he began
teaching theology at the University of
Wittenberg. He received a Bachelor's degree in
biblical studies on March 9, 1508.
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The Indulgence Controversy
An indulgence could reduce punishment for sins
after guilt has been removed by absolution. A
buyer could purchase one, either for himself or
for one of his deceased relatives in purgatory.
The Dominican friar Johann Tetzel was enlisted to
travel throughout Archbishop Albert of Mainz's
territories promoting and selling indulgences for
the renovation of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
Tetzel was very successful at it. He urged "as
soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul
from purgatory springs."
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The Indulgence Controversy

• Luther saw this traffic in indulgences as an
  abuse of Church power. Luther preached three
  sermons against indulgences in 1516 and 1517. On
  October 31, 1517, Luther nailed his 95 Theses to
  the door of All Saints Church in Wittenburg,
  Germany. The Theses condemned greed and
  worldliness in the Church as an abuse and asked
  for a theological debate.

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The Indulgence Controversy

• The 95 Theses were quickly translated into
  German, widely copied and printed. Within two
  weeks they had spread throughout Germany, and
  within two months throughout Europe. This was one
  of the first events in history that was
  profoundly affected by the printing press, which
  made the distribution of documents easier and
  more widespread.

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The Ninety-Five Theses
36. Every truly repentant Christian has a right
to full remission of penalty and guilt, even
without letters of pardon. 42. Christians are to
be taught that the pope does not intend the
buying of pardons to be compared in any way to
works of mercy. 43. Christians are to be taught
that he who gives to the poor or lends to the
needy does a better work than buying pardons 52.
The assurance of salvation by letters of pardon
is vain, even though the commissary, nay, even
though the pope himself, were to stake his soul
upon it.

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Beliefs associated with Luther

• Luther interpreted St.Pauls statement, He
  through faith is righteous shall live, to mean
  that the path to God is through faith alone.
• Therefore, Luther thought, forgiveness of
  peoples sins can come only from faith in God.

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Beliefs associated with Luther

• This belief of Luthers became known as
  justification by faith.
• According to Luther, it followed that from this
  doctrine, the church had no power to pardon
  peoples sins.
• This belief of Luthers led him to challenge the
  Churchs practice of selling indulgences.

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Beliefs associated with Luther

• Luther believed in a priesthood of all
  believers.
• Every Christian can have a direct relationship
  with God through prayer.

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Luther at the Imperial Diet of Worms (1521)

• Luther was excommunicated. Luther's powerful
  sovereign, Elector Friedrich the Wise of Saxony
  demanded that Luther not be outlawed and
  imprisoned without a hearing. Both the Church and
  Emperor Charles V wanted Luther to recant his
  teachings. The princes who supported Luther hoped
  that political power of Rome over Germany would
  be weakened.

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Luther at the Imperial Diet of Worms (1521)

• Luther had to appear before the Emperor twice
  each time he was told to take back his teachings.
  Luther Said, "Unless I am convinced by Scripture
  and plain reason - I do not accept the authority
  of the popes and councils, for they have
  contradicted each other - my conscience is
  captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will
  not recant anything for to go against conscience
  is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen."