vol 2: Synopsis
part II: A brief history of dynamics
page 12: Martin Luther
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Martin Luther
(1483-1546)
An axiom of political dynamics is that power corrupts. and the power of the Catholic Church is no exception. Martin Luther, building on widespread disaffection with high level corruption in the Church, was the catalyst for a democratic revolution in church and state which helped to found the modern free world.
From about the time of Charlemagne, the Christian Church felt a strong need to protect its spiritual preserve with political force, and it became deeply involved in the political affairs of Christian Europe The political mobilization of the Church involved it in great expense, and revenue raising became a perennial concern for the Papacy.
Many saw that the Church had strayed far from its salvific mission and there was a strong motivation to reform. Luther became a leader who set many of these reforms in train. His particular target was the sale of indulgences (ie remissions of punishment due in the next life) to raise funds for Church purposes.
Luther nailed 95 propositions on indulgences to the door of the Schlosskirche at Wittenburg on 12 October 1517. Luther His intention was to invite like minded scholars to a theological disputation on indulgences. Nevertheless his appeal to the laity and his lack of respect for the power of the establishment set him on a revolutionary course.
The result was the Reformation, which led to a major splits in the Christian Church, to major doctrinal reforms, and to war. Ultimately, through the Council of Trent, Luther caused the reform of the traditional Christian Church, now styled the Roman Catholic Church to distinguish it from the numerous 'Protestant' churches that prospered around it.
As with many reformers, Luther and his contemporaries were concerned to reconstruct the primitive purity of the Church. Much of the administrative, speculative and theological overhead of the Church was swept away in the search for Biblical authenticity. Many people learnt to see their relationship with God as a personal matter needing no help from any human institution. This new vision of individual responsibility helped to open the way for political democracy based on the equality of all before God.
The Reformation and its parallel, the Renaissance, led to a wholesale reevaluation of medieval certainties, not only in religious, political and literary matters, but in the arena we now call science. From this time on, the Roman Catholic Church lost its control of public debate and the intellectual pluralism which we enjoy today began to flower. A new era of religious, theological and scientific dynamism began.
Further reading
Books
| Bainton, Roland Herbet, Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther, Penguin(USA) 1995 Jacket: 'Here is an authoritative, unforgettable biography of Martin Luther ... . ... Luther spoke out against the corrupt religious practices that then existed. His demand that the authority for doctrine and practice be Scriptures, rather than Popes or Councils echoed around the world and ignited the Great Reformation. ... With sound historical scholarship and penetrating insight Roland Bainton examines Luther's widespread influence. He re-creates the spiritual setting of the sixteenth century, showing Luther's place within it and influence upon it. Richly illustrated with more than 100 woodcuts and engravings from Luthers own time, Here I stand dramatically brings to life Martin Luther, the great reformer. Amazon back |
| Chadwick, Owen, The Reformation (Penguin History of the Church volume 3), Viking Press 1990 Jacket: In this third volume of the Penguin History of the Church, Professor Chadwick deals with the formative work of Erasmus, Luther, Zwingli and Calvin and analyses the special circumstances of the English Reformation, as well as the Jesuits and the Counter-Reformation. Amazon back |
| Friedenthal, Richard, Luther, Weidenfeld and Nicholson 1970 Jacket: At midday on 21 October 1517, Luther launched the Reformation by nailing his 'ninety-five theses' against Papal indulgences to the door of the Schlosskirche at Wittenberg. The world has yet to come to terms with the issues he raised. ... In this new biography Richard Friedenthal portrays the living human figure behind the accretions of pious and hostile legend. ... Interwoven with the story of Luther's life is an intricate picture of Europe as a whole undergoing the agony of the Reformation, with centuries old beliefs and customs being turned upside-down in a chaos of furious religious controversy, social upheaval and constant clashes between bishops and princelings, imperial troops and mercenaries. ...' Amazon back |
| Luther, Martin, By Faith Alone: 365 Devotional Readings Updated in Todays's Language, Penguin USA 1998 Amazon back |
| Luther, Martin, and J I Packer, O R Johnson (translators), The Bondage of the Will, Fleming H Revell Co 1964 Jacket: The Bondage of the Will is fundamental to an understanding of the primary doctrines of the Reformation. In these pages, Luther gives extensive treatment to what he saw as the heart of the gospel. Free will was no academic question to Luther; the whole gospel of the grace of God was bound up with it and stood or fell according to the way one decided it. Luther affirms our total inability to save ourselves and the sovereignty of divine grace in our salvation. He upholds the doctrine of justification by faith and defends predestination as determined by the foreknowledge of God.' Amazon back |
| Luther, Martin, Luther's Large Catechism : A Contemporary Translation With Study Questions, Concordia Publishing House 1988 Amazon Customer Review: 'Being a Lutheran (Missouri Synod) I can say that this is one of the greatest theological writings outside of the Bible ever. It is a wonderful overview of many biblical truths. Many of his arguments such as his support for infant-baptism are practically impossible to soundly refute. If you agree with his theology or not, it is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to grow in the Christian faith or learn about what Lutherans believe.' Ryan. Amazon back |
| Luther, Martin, and J. Theodore Mueller (Translator), Commentary on Romans, Kregel Publications 1982 Jacket: 'This classic commentary is significant not only for its biblical insights but also for its historical perspective. It serves as a valuable introduction to the study of Martin Luther's own spiritual pilgrimage and the roots of the Reformation. ... This practical, easy-to-read and stimulating commentary complete with explanatory notes and headings by Theodore Mueller, will acquaint the reader with the fundamentals of Luther's evangelical teachings.' Amazon back |
| Luther, Martin, and Stuart D. Briscoe, Commentary on Galatians, Fleming H Revell Co 1998 Jacket: 'The Book of Galatians was a key in turning Luther toward an understanding of God's grace through faith alone. "In an age that prizes tolerance there is always the danger of lapsing into mediocrity", writes D Stuart Briscoe in the introduction to this book. ... Luther's classic verse-by-verse commentary on Galatians "can serve toward the realities of defending the faith and propagating the truth. This edition of Luther's insightful explanation of justification by faith is the only one available in contemporary English. Pastors, students of church history, and those intrigued by Paul's powerful message will find it a useful and relevant resource. ' http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0800756487/tnrp">Amazon back |
| Luther, Martin, and Harold J. Grimm (Editor), W. A. Lambert (Translator), Christian Liberty, Fortress Press 1985 Introduction: 'Within six months, in 1620, [Luther] publishjed three important reformation tracts which clariefied his new evangelical theology for an ever increasing following. ... The Freedom of a Christian, (or Christian Liberty) published early in November, differed from the preceding two pamphlets in that it was written in a conciliatory spirit. Yet it contained a positive and and unequivocal statement of Luther's evangelical theology as applied to Chritian life.' Amazon back |
Links
| Luther 95 Theses of Martin Luther 'Note: This document was originally made available to the Internet by Bob Van Cleef (revc@garg.campbell.ca.us). I don't know him, but you ever meet him, tell him, "thanks." This document was converted to HTML format by Jonathan Hall Barlow.' back |
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Related sites:
Concordat Watch
Revealing Vatican attempts to propagate its religion by international treaty
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