Martin Luther (1483-1546)For in the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, "The one who is righteous will live by faith" ( Romans 1:17 )

European HistoryProtestant Reformation

Childhood & Youth

born Nov. 10, 1483 – Martin Luder, son of copper miner GermanFather worked himself up to middle class -- middle class familyFather was a strict disciplinarian

Promise to become a monkJuly 2, 1505 near Sotterheim, nearly struck by lightning

cried out to Saint AnnPromised to be monk if spared

1505 enters Augustinian Monastery in Erfurt

Priest & ProfessorTook vows & ordained 9 months after entering1 ½ Years of Theological studyStruggled with Scrupulosity: imagining sin where there is none or imagining grave matter where there is none1512 Doctorate in TheologyProfessorship at Wittenberg (1514-1518)

Luther’s image of God

Righteous lawgiverAdminister of justice“severe” image of God (not uncommon at the time)Believed God would not forgive him

Went to confession many times a day sometimes

Luther’s Objections to the Church

Misunderstanding of Divine Justice and man’s sinfulnessThe spark: The sale of indulgences…

Indulgencesas of 1514 Priest at Wittenburg’s City Churchenraged over sale of indulgences and manner in which Tetzel sold themLuther preaches against the sale of

indulgences

Indulgences

Pope Leo X needs money to fund construction of St. Peter’s Basilica“As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs.” – Johannes TetzelLuther questions the Pope’s authority to maintain the claims of the indulgences and worries that people are actually damning themselves by purchasing them

95 ThesesOct. 31, 1517: posted 95 Theses, Castle Church of WittenbergThe 95 Theses themselves are not hereticalJune 27, 1519 Leipzig Debate – Johannes Eck made it clear to Luther what his 95 Theses and subsequent writings taught or implied= opposition to Church, dismissed Papal authority, dismissed authority of Church councils

The Divide Widens…(1520)Address to the Nobility of the German Nation

Political plea in German to German princes to overthrow the papacy in Germany and establish a reformed church

The Babylonian Captivity of the ChurchTheological tract in Latin attacking sacramental system of the Church has held the real meaning of Christianity captive for thousands of years

On the Freedom of Christian ManDoctrine of salvation – man is saved by grace and faith alone“Good works do not make a good man, but a good man does good works.”

Burning the Papal BullJune 15, 1520 – Papal Bull (Pope Leo X), Luther must recant or be excommunicated – 2 months to decideLuther protests: burns Bull and Code of Canon LawJan. 3, 1521 – Luther is excommunicatedSummoned by Reichstag and Emperor Charles V to Diet of Worms to recant

Diet of Worms, Jan. 1521

Luther declared an outlawWorks should be burned and bannedWarrant for arrest under penalty of death

Luther’s protector Elector Friedrich the Wise of Saxon

The Wartburg

The Wartburg

in 11 weeks he translates the New Testament, “September Testament”

published in 1522standardizes the German language

1521 Luther goes to Wartburg

Luther returns

Returns to Wittenburgbegins seriously writing to spread his beliefsDissemination of pamphletsHelp from German princes interested in gaining independence from the Habsburg Emperor

Spread of Reform

Huldrych ZwingliBelieved that Luther had not gone far enoughBanished images of Christ, saintsRejected the Eucharist

Peasants’ War1524 peasants led by Thomas Münzer (priest/former Luther follower) demand more just economical conditionsLuther encourages spiritual freedom from despots, not economic or political freedomPeasants are violently put down on May 15, 1525 (5 – 6,000 killed by Imperial Army)After 1525, the reform moved out of the realm of religion

Luther’s Theology Luther downplays man’s capacity for theological knowledge and the merit of good worksLuther believed that man cannot do good – he can never overcome his sinfulness

The soul will always remain corruptJesus covers the sin so that one can be saved

Luther’s Theology

Romans 1:17Justification through faith alone, no works4 doctrines from this idea• Sola scriptura – no Tradition• Sola fide – no corporal/spiritual works of

mercy• Sola gratia• Solo Christo

Luther’s Church2 sacraments: Baptism and Communion

Transubstantiation vs. Consubstantiation“Priesthood of all believers”

No hierarchy w/in the church SO Luther relies on princes and political authorities to help organize and guide the Lutheran church

Social & educational responsibilities taken over by church

Community money box need for well-educated pastors, teachers, & civil servants

Authorities obligated to provide a good education for the youth

Luther marries

June 13, 1525 Luther marries Katharina von BoraBig happy family

6 children, 1 of Katharina’s relatives, 6 of Luther’s sister’s children, student boarders

Split of the Holy Roman Empire

After 1525, there are Lutheran states and Catholic statesCharles V tries to bring unity

Truce between factionsAsked for a Church Council]Tried to establish dialogue with Lutherans1546 went to war against the Lutheran princes

Peace of Augsburg

1555 Charles V hands the war over to his brother FerdinandFerdinand agrees to the Peace of Augsburg

Acknowledges Lutheran as a religious option in the empireRulers are free to determine if their realms are Lutheran or Catholic

Protestant Reformation across Europe, 1520-1570

Radical reform desired by AnabaptistsSeparation of Church and StateAbolish infant baptismRefused civil obligations (taxes, militia, etc.)

Charles V outlaws Anabaptist beliefsJohn Calvin

FrenchStudied Theology then Law

Calvinism

Calvin converted to ProtestantismFled from Paris because of pro Catholic French governmentWrites The Institutes of Christian Religion in 1536

Most well known teaching is double predestination

Ruled Geneva

Spread of Calvinism

Geneva is centerSent out missionaries throughout Europe

Calvinists in France are HuguenotsGain adherents in the NetherlandsJohn Knox takes Calvinism to Scotland in 1558 – Presbyterian

Reform in England

Henry VIII is kingIn 1521 he publishes a treatise against LutheranismWanted to marry Anne Boleyn (already married to Catherine of Aragon)Asks for annulment• NO from the Pope• YES from Archbishop of Canterbury

Henry VIII

Married Anne BoleynPope excommunicated himHenry responded with The Act of Supremacy

“the supreme head on earth of the Church in England”

Reform in England

1547 Henry VIII is succeed by his only son Edward VI1553 Edward VI diesMary (Henry and Catherine’s daughter) succeeded Edward VI

She is Catholic & restores Catholicism in EnglandExecuted 300+ Protestants – “Bloody Mary”

Reform in England

1558 Mary died childlessElizabeth I (daughter of Henry and Anne Boleyn) succeeded Mary

She is Protestant1571 declares official Theology of the Church in England (39 Articles)