THE LIFE OF MARTIN

LUTHER…

Birth of Luther

Early Life

Went to study law. Got caught in a thunderstorm and vowed

to dedicate his life to God. Joined the Order of Hermits of St.

Augustine.

Journey to Rome in 1510.

Developed many criticisms while there of the Church.

Ex. Selling of indulgences, brothels for clerics, purgatory lessens as view relics

Sin and Salvation

Plagued with his own sense of sinfulness against the perfect righteousness of God.

To be righteous, trust in Jesus Christ (Sola Fide) “faith alone.”

Good works and charity should be done, but were not the basis for one’s salvation.

Attack on Indulgences

“Works of satisfaction” such as praying, fasting, pilgrimages, almsgiving for penitents.

Sixtus IV made indulgences available to those already in purgatory.

Leo X issued the Plenary Indulgence to gather funds for the building of St. Peter’s Basilica.

John Tetzel

Extraordinary indulgence-selling priest.

Luther- 95 Theses

95 Complaints about church doctrine nailed to the church door in Wittenberg in 1517.

"Why does not the pope empty purgatory, for the sake of holy love and of the dire need of the souls that are there, if he redeems an infinite number of souls for the sake of miserable money with which to build a Church? The former reasons would be most just; the latter is most trivial." - #82

Christians are to be taught that unless they have more than they need, they are bound to keep back what is necessary for their own families, and by no means to squander it on indulgences. -#46

Christians are to be taught that he who gives to the poor or lends to the needy does a better work than buying indulgences. -#43

Key Themes

Why was Luther’s message so powerful?

Why did the peasants blindly purchase indulgences?

What did he hope to accomplish by his criticisms?

What actions were a direct threat to Roman doctrine and traditional teachings?

Printing Press

Made the works of Luther readily available to the masses.

Charles V

Ruler of the Holy Roman Empire

Frederick of Saxony

Diet of Worms 1521

Challenged the pope’s infallibility, inconsistencies of Church councils.

Sovereign authority of Scripture

New Works

Address to the Christian Nobility of the German Nation- urged princes to push for reform against the Church.

Babylonian Captivity of the Church- attacked the 7 sacraments, only 2 necessary: baptism and Eucharist

Freedom of a Christian- salvation by faith alone.

Leo X’s Papal Bull

“Arise of Lord, a wild boar has invaded thy vineyard.”

Luther excommunicated in 1521.

Wartburg Castle

Hidden for 1 year where he translated the Bible into German.