First published in February 2013, I am updating it because this year marks the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.
Introduction: Martin Luther – Religious Reformer and Symbol of Protestantism
The mini biographies that are featured on The Invisible Mentor blog are important because they teach you what and what not to do. Take the religious reformer Martin Luther for instance, at first he was against condemning Jews and advocated for tolerance. However, when they rejected his religious message, he became hostile toward them, which was a fuel for antisemitism.
Name: Martin Luther
Birth Date: November 10, 1483 – February 18, 1546
Job Functions: Religious leader, Reformer, Hymnologist
Fields: Religion
Known For: Reformation
Intense dissatisfaction provides the opportunity for disruption and disruptive technology. Many were dissatisfied with Catholicism and all it stood for which gave rise to Reformation and subsequently the growth of Lutheranism. Please also read Catherine de’ Medici, Despot, Queen, Wife of Henry II of France.
What are you dissatisfied with?
How can you be disruptive in a good way?
Related: Review of Martin Luther’s 95 Theses
- Martin Luther’s Journey: At the time, the educational opportunities that were open to Martin Luther were law and the church. His father suggested he pursue law to increase the family's success.
- Martin Luther enrolled at the University of Erfurt in 1501, received a bachelor of arts degree in 1502, a master of arts in 1505, and started his study of law that same year.
- After experiencing a religious crisis between 1503 and 1505, he abandoned his study of law. He became keenly aware of his mortality.
- When thrown by a lightening bolt to the ground during a severe thunderstorm, Luther vowed to St. Anne in a moment of panic, that if he survived the fall, he would become a monk. Much to the dismay of his friends and strong opposition from his father, he entered the Reformed Congregation of the Eremetical Order of St. Augustine at Erfurt. This decision was a knee jerk reaction born out of fear and panic.
- Luther took his vows in 1506 and was ordained a priest in 1507.
- Lectured art – standard medieval texts – at University of Wittenberg in 1508 while pursuing his doctorate of theology. This introduced him to St Augustine's work, and Peter Lombard's Book of Sentences.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyVrPIp4QsA
- Received his doctorate in theology in 1512.
- Appointed professor of theology at Wittenberg.
- Life in monastery shaped him and helped form the basis for who he would become.
- In 1509, Luther published his lectures on Peter Lombard; in 1513-1515 those on the Psalms; in 1515-1516 on St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans; and in 1516-1518 on the epistles to the Galatians and Hebrews.
- Luther read his bible “religiously,” no pun intended, and viewed God as wrathful, which resulted in a crisis of conscience. He viewed himself as being inadequate to placate God. He viewed himself as “a sinner with an unquiet conscience.” He often felt despair when he found no peace in reading the Bible.
- To work through his crisis, Luther discovered new ways to interpret the Bible. The study of the Epistle Paul to the Romans was very helpful to him in how he should view God.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsDT1pYOW2c
- Between 1513 and 1523, Luther often condemned the persecution of the Jews and advocated for a more tolerant policy toward them.
- Strongly disapproved of the confiscation of the Talmud and rabbinic literature.
- At first, the Jews welcomed Luther's disruptive impact on Roman Catholicism as a break in the monolithic power of the Church. When the Jews resisted his message, he became hostile toward them.
- Many hoped that the spread of Lutheranism would result in tolerance for all forms of worship.
- In 1517, Luther posted his “95 Theses for an academic debate on indulgences on the door of the castle church at Wittenberg.” The Theses went viral, and in 1518, he was called before Cardinal Cajetan, and commanded to renounce his theses, which he refused – “Here I stand. I can do no other.”
Martin Luther's 95 Theses
Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses: With Introduction, Commentary, and Study GuideMartin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses and Selected Sermons
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- Although Luther refused to renounce his Theses, he informed the Cardinal that he would stop commenting on “indulgences and his readiness to listen to the church.”
- Luther was excommunicated from Rome on January 3, 1521, but it was never placed into effect.
- Agreed to debate with theologian Johann Eck. This resulted in Luther taking a more radical stance and was charged with heresy and sent to “The Imperial Diet at Worms in 1521 to answer the charges against him.”
- Spent several months in seclusion and used the time to translate the Bible into German and wrote many tracts.
- Returned to Wittenberg in 1522, and continued his writing until the end of his life in 1546.
- The years between 1521 and 1525 were the most decisive period in the growth of Lutheranism.
- In 1524-1525 Luther discussed free will with Erasmus.
- From 1530 on, Luther argued with other Reformation leaders and his Catholic opponents on matters of theology.
Some of Martin Luther's Writings
To The Christian Nobility of the German Nation
On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church
Of the Liberty of a Christian Man
Great Catechism and the Small Catechism of 1529
On the Will in Bondage
Confession concerning the Lord's Supper
Biggest Accomplishments Why/ Martin Luther's Contribution Matters
- Translating the Bible into German.
Lessons from Martin Luther
- Act with integrity, even when facing strong opposition.
- Because people resist what you are saying doesn't give you the right to be hostile toward them.
- Be very careful how you act and what you say because others are watching. Luther's actions fuelled antisemitism, even centuries later.
Sources Cited/Referenced
Encyclopedia of World Biography
Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Encyclopedia Judaica
America
New Catholic Encyclopedia
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