...Martin Luther changed the course of history by opposing the Roman Catholic Church, and forming the first Protestant Church, the Lutheran Church. He protested against the injustices the Catholic clergy and the pope were making against the poor believers of Europe. Without Martin Luther, the Protestant Church, with its estimated 800 million members, would not exist. Martin Luther was born on November 10th, 1483, in Eisleben, in the Holy Roman Empire. He was born to Hans and Margarethe Luther. He was a German, who became a priest, hymn-writer, and founder of the Lutheran Church. Hans Luther wanted Martin to have a successful life and be a lawyer, so he enrolled him in schools in Mansfield, Magdeburg, and Eisenach. Martin also enrolled at...
Words: 646 - Pages: 3
...The goal of this paper is that of providing an exposition and interpretation of Martin Luther’s theory of music. As much as Luther’s thought was in many cases a departure from the previous theological tradition, his positions concerning the nature of music constitute an exception. As I will discuss below, in many ways Luther was the recipient of theories which found their origin as early as in high-medieval thought, or even in pre-Christian philosophy. At the same time, the way in which he implemented music in the theology and the liturgical practice of the protestant tradition was in many ways innovative. His vision of worship music as a way of propagating the Scripture eventually led to the use of vernacular in place of Latin in church singing,...
Words: 1945 - Pages: 8
...the Peasants’ Revolt of 1524-1526 in Germany. This savage war was not only sprung up from the religious ideas of Martin Luther, but also from the dissatisfaction of peasants about their poor working conditions and the unfair treatment from their lords. German peasants had been displeased of their living conditions with being continuously faced with ludicrous feudal dues and state taxes. Upon hearing Martin Luther’s remarks, the peasants’ economic troubles and religious beliefs? combined to be the sparks that were...
Words: 1038 - Pages: 5
...Reformation was the 16th century religious and political revolution that disintegrated the Catholic Church. This reformation would define Europe in the modern era. Martin Luther, John Calvin and Henry VIII contested the Church’s power and its faculty to divide Christian religion. On October 31, 1517 Martin Luther published his “95 Theses” which led to start the Protestant Reformation, in which it stated Luther’s terms of his protest against the Catholic Church. Martin Luther argued that Jesus died on the cross for our salvation; therefore, there was no need for lavish cathedrals and offerings that the Catholic Church was accustomed to. Also, he was opposed to the practice of the church collecting indulgences in order to shorten ones stay in purgatory. These indulgences were said to pave the way to heaven for any sinner. In Martin Luther’s 95 Theses the mentions the following: “Those who believe that, through letters of pardon, they are made sure of their own salvation will be eternally dammed along with their teacher”. After the Church’s unsuccessful rebuttal, they ended up excommunicating Luther in 1521. Luther went on to translating the bible into vernacular German, which up to this point was only in Latin and only available to priests who were they only ones who read and interpreted the bible to the masses. Luther’s translation was not word for word but rather sense for sense, which would help ordinary people, read the bible. Thanks to the printing press, the bible was published...
Words: 725 - Pages: 3
...Many agree that Martin Luther’s protests against indulgences were the catalysts of the German Reformation in 1525. However, why was Luther so adamantly opposed to Indulgences? And even so, how did his grievances against the pope spark the German Reformation? Luther’s belief in “justification by faith alone” and his production the ninety-five theses sparked the German Reformation. Luther opposed Indulgences because of his belief of “justification by faith alone”. After a few years of insight into this topic, Luther concluded that “the righteousness that God demands did not result from charitable acts and religious ceremonies but was given full measure to any and all who believe in and trust Jesus Christ as their perfect righteousness satisfying to God.” (KOT 320) He argued that it was unbiblical to think of work as contributions to salvation, something only a deity such as God himself could bestow upon a person. Luther taught good works were expected, even if they did not contribute to eternal salvation. Those who believed in Christ possessed God’s perfect righteousness and would therefore perform good deeds throughout their lives. Luther’s teachings showed that one needed only to believe in Christ instead of paying Indulgences in order to reach eternal salvation. (KOT 330-322) Luther’s belief against Indulgences sparked the Reformation through the writing of the ninety-five theses. The ninety-five theses were an attack on the practice of Indulgences. Theses twenty-one states...
Words: 418 - Pages: 2
...explanations on what the questions are. He therefore, provides documents that hold the ability to place challenges on both viewpoints and supports a study of the texts themselves. In his book, Janz includes opinions explaining the significance of both Martin Luther and John Calvin. This paper is therefore, intended on highlighting the significance of these two individuals and contrasting the opinions contained in writings of each. The significance of Martin Luther Many people wonder why there exists a great fuss over martin Luther and the Protestant reformation. They also don’t understand how and why this German monk turned out to be a lightning rod for change in religion and community in Europe during the Renaissance. Many people also do not comprehend the significance of the circumstances and the importance Luther and his persuade on the Reformation and how it affects them in the present days. Back in 1520 Luther was thought of as an insightful church leader and other thought of him as an ecclesiastical terrorist. His thoughts transformed the universe essentially, and were the flashpoint where thoughts and tendencies, which had been blazing in Europe made people to begin talking, and they brought about bigger ideas. Martin Luther’s religious pilgrimage within the catholic framework has been considered to be the only framework that has ever been there. Luther pled for an ecumenical council of church leaders, and...
Words: 2257 - Pages: 10
...common forms of propaganda during the reformation period. Pamphlets usually consisted of approximately eight to sixteen pages and were relatively small and easy to conceal from the authorities, thus making them very useful to reformers whose ideas were not accepted by the Roman Catholic authorities. The majority of these pamphlets promoted the Reformation and the Protestant ideas; however pamphlets were also used by Roman Catholic propagandists, but not to the same effect.[2] Protestant and Roman Catholic propaganda during the Reformation attempted to sway the public into adopting or continuing religious practices. Propagandists from both groups attempted to publish documents about church doctrine, to either retain their believers or influence new believers. Occasionally these printed texts also acted as manuals...
Words: 1702 - Pages: 7
...Martin Luther is well known for his famous speech, "I Have a Dream". He delivered the speech in 1963 in Washington D.C. the theme of the speech was to describe the dream he had of a better America that was free from racial discrimination especially that of the black people. Luther begins his speech by illustrating the historical context of the injustices done to the black people due to their skin color. The introduction creates a base for the main theme of the speech where he shares his dream with the people about the America he wishes to see in the future. The discussion of the paper illustrates the effectiveness of the speech using the five canons of rhetoric. Invention The topic that Luther chooses is very captivating, and it is crucial to having a significant effect on the audience. First, the topic is in line with the current situations that are affecting the people. The people, therefore, feel they are part of what Luther is speaking about. The invention gives the black activists a future they are supposed to dream of. Secondly, the invention of the topic instills hope to the people. In a time of oppression and discrimination, the choice of the topic is efficient because it creates a sense of hope and a brighter future for the people. Connecting with the people's emotions determines the extent a speech has to the audience. Lastly, the topic motivates the audience to think about the future they would like to have. In the process of jogging their minds, they internalize...
Words: 885 - Pages: 4
...On February 18, 1546, 472 years ago Martin Luther, a great person had died on his way to his hometown Eisleben in Germany. Luther was a successful and significant man to society, his belief in God is what made him who he was. On November 10, 1483 Luther was born in Eisleben, Germany. He moved around as a kid where he started school at the age of seven in Manfeld, then at fourteen he moved to Magdeburg to continue his education. Then, he went back to Eisleben in 1498 and went to a school to study grammar, rhetoric and logic. He continued on with his education and in 1501, he entered the university of Eufrat. Later on, earning a Master of Arts degree in grammar, logic, rhetoric and metaphysics. Luther loved his parents very dearly, Hans and Margarette Luther were...
Words: 680 - Pages: 3
...CHAPTER 24 TEST QUESTIONS MULTIPLE CHOICE 1. Luther’s initial stimulus for formulating the Ninety-Five Theses was a. his excommunication from the Roman Catholic church. b. the sale of indulgences. c. his time spent in England during the English Reformation. d. the turmoil caused by having two popes during the Great Schism. e. the influence of John Calvin. 2. The author of the Ninety-Five Theses was a. John Calvin. b. Erasmus. c. Voltaire. d. Martin Luther. e. Henry VIII. 3. The Catholic church dramatically pushed the sale of indulgences in the sixteenth century because of the a. need to match the resurgence of the Byzantine empire. b. threat posed by Islam. c. need for Henry VIII to pay off the national debt. d. expense associated with translating original Greek classics. e. need to raise funds for the construction of St. Peter’s basilica. 4. Which one of the following was not one of Luther’s problems with the Roman Catholic church? a. the selling of indulgences b. pluralism c. absenteeism d. the immense wealth of the Catholic church e. the church’s decision to translate the Bible into vernacular languages 5. Who said, “I cannot and will not recant anything, for it is neither safe nor right to act against one’s conscience. Here I stand. I can do no other.”? a. Martin Luther b. Jesus c. John Calvin d. Sima Qian e. Henry VIII 6. In the centuries following the fall of Rome, the only unifying...
Words: 2581 - Pages: 11
...Niccolò Machiavelli and Martin Luther: Shaping Modern Political Theory By: Andrew Plotnikov Hist 151-001 I pledge that I received no unauthorized assistance in the completion of this work _____________________________________ Martin Luther and Niccolò Macchiavelli were two European figures in the early sixteenth century who recognized crises of leadership and authority in Europe. Machiavelli and Martin Luther were arguably two of the greatest reformist minds of early 1500s, and their reactions to the crises of leadership present in their countries through their writings led to tremendous political and religious advancements; through their analyses of legitimate rule in The Prince (Machiavelli), and On Christian Freedom and Address to the Christian Nobility of the German Nation (Luther), Machiavelli essentially shaped modern political thought, and Luther sparked the Protestant Reformation that shocked Europe in the early 1500s. Though their responses were based on different groundwork, they each detected and sought to resolve their respective crises, and in doing so aligned their political theories. In analyzing the greatness of the two monumental European figures and their abilities to catalyze change in so many people, comparisons between the writings of both begin to emerge. In particular, Luther and Machiavelli shared innovative perspectives in their analyses on legitimate rule, and in doing so they revealed the pillars on which they built their cases: through...
Words: 1762 - Pages: 8
...He went against the Church's assertion of spiritual supremacy over temporal authority, arguing that it shielded clergy from accountability and perpetuated unchecked power. Luther rejected the Pope's exclusive right to interpret Scripture, advocating for individual believers to interpret the Bible. He also criticized the church's control over church councils and reform initiatives, believing they stifled genuine efforts to address corruption and doctrinal issues. Luther's doctrine of sola scriptura asserted Scripture as the ultimate authority in matters of faith and practice and championed the priesthood of all believers. His theological stance catalyzed a movement that reshaped Western Christianity, sparking theological debates and institutional changes that continue to resonate in religious discourse today. Roman Catholic Response and Reform Efforts In reaction to the Protestant Reformation, the Roman Catholic Church took both internal reforms and a defense of established...
Words: 1078 - Pages: 5
...slightly skewed as religions developed different opinions towards the issue of women in society. 16th and 17th century Europe portrayed different religions such as Lutheranism and Calvinism that changed views on women in society, while the Anabaptist kept previous views. Lutheranism, a branch of Protestant religion showed a shift in view towards women being equal to men. Martin Luther, the founder of Lutheranism, believed that views and rules written in Bible were what life actions should be lived and based off on. “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them,” Genesis 1:27. This passage from the Bible states that both men and women were created in the same image and likeness by God. Being written in the Bible, Luther believed and preached the idea that men and women are equal, based off of the image of their creator, God. “...husband differs from the wife in no other respect than in sex; otherwise the women is altogether [as] man… If the wife is honorable, virtuous, and pious, she shares in all the cares, endeavors,...
Words: 951 - Pages: 4
...it would not have made any sense if Luther had sent the 95 Theses to Albert to warn him in advance of a revolution, as revolutions work better when powerful people are not aware of them before they begin. Another piece of evidence that suggests that Luther had no intention to start a revolution is that the 95 Theses were written in Latin. This shows that they were written to be read by scholars of a university, not peasants. If Luther had really intended a revolution then he would have written the Theses in the vernacular which would have meant the peasants could have read it, understood it, and acted upon it immediately in the form of a revolt. One other piece of evidence that suggests that Luther was not intending a revolution is that Luther’s opening statement on the Theses is ‘Out of love for the truth and the desire to bring it to light, the following propositions will be discussed at Wittenberg,...
Words: 1810 - Pages: 8
...Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.” Martin Luther King was a civil rights activist who wanted better treatment and opportunities for black people. Throughout his fight, the civil rights activist displayed characteristics and actions that made him the perfect person to guide the African American people towards equality. The leader of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference was able to unite a divided nation at a time in which racial tension was at its peak. Through his words and actions, Martin Luther King was able to influence movements that derived long after his departure. One movement that was inspired by the actions of Martin Luther King is the anti-government...
Words: 926 - Pages: 4
