Martin Luther and Lutheranism Christianity in the 16th century

1 martin luther , lutheranism

1.1 widening breach
1.2 political maneuvering
1.3 results of lutheran reformation

martin luther , lutheranism

luther s 95 theses

the protests against rome began in earnest in 1517 when martin luther, augustinian monk, called reopening of debate on sale of indulgences. luther s dissent marked sudden outbreak of new , irresistible force of discontent had been pushed underground not resolved. quick spread of discontent occurred large degree because of printing press , resulting swift movement of both ideas , documents, including 95 theses. information disseminated in manuscript form, cheap prints , woodcuts amongst poorer sections of society.

parallel events in germany movement began in switzerland under leadership of ulrich zwingli. these 2 movements agreed on issues, unresolved differences kept them separate. followers of zwingli believed reformation conservative , moved independently toward more radical positions, of survive among modern day anabaptists. other protestant movements grew along lines of mysticism or humanism, breaking rome or protestants, or forming outside of churches.

after first stage of reformation, following excommunication of luther , condemnation of reformation pope, work , writings of john calvin influential in establishing loose consensus among various groups in switzerland, scotland, hungary, germany , elsewhere.

martin luther, lucas cranach elder

as luther began developing own theology, increasingly came conflict thomistic scholars, notably cardinal cajetan. soon, luther had begun develop theology of justification, or process 1 made right (righteous) in eyes of god. in catholic theology, 1 made righteous progressive infusion of grace accepted through faith , cooperated through works. luther s doctrine of justification differed catholic theology in justification rather meant declaring of 1 righteous , god imputes merits of christ upon 1 remains without inherent merit. in process, works more of unessential byproduct contribute nothing 1 s own state of righteousness. conflict between luther , leading theologians led gradual rejection of authority of church hierarchy. in 1520, condemned heresy papal bull exsurge domine, burned @ wittenberg along books of canon law.

luther s refusal retract writings in confrontation holy roman emperor charles v @ diet of worms in 1521 resulted in excommunication pope leo x , declaration outlaw. translation of bible language of people made scriptures more accessible, causing tremendous impact on church , on german culture. fostered development of standard version of german language, added several principles art of translation, , influenced translation of king james bible. hymns inspired development of congregational singing within christianity. marriage katharina von bora set model practice of clerical marriage within protestantism.

luther s insights held have been major foundation of protestant movement. relationship between lutheranism , protestant tradition is, however, ambiguous: lutherans consider lutheranism outside protestant tradition, while see part of tradition.

the sale of indulgences shown in question mintmaker, woodcut jörg breu elder of augsburg, circa 1530.



door of schlosskirche (castle church) in wittenberg luther said have nailed 95 theses, sparking reformation.


widening breach

luther s writings circulated widely, reaching france, england, , italy 1519, , students thronged wittenberg hear him speak. published short commentary on galatians , work on psalms. @ same time, received deputations italy , utraquists of bohemia; ulrich von hutten , franz von sickingen offered place luther under protection.

this portion of luther s career 1 of creative , productive. 3 of best known works published in 1520: christian nobility of german nation, on babylonian captivity of church, , on freedom of christian.

finally on 30 may 1519, when pope demanded explanation, luther wrote summary , explanation of theses pope. while pope may have conceded of points, did not challenge authority summoned luther rome answer these. @ point frederick wise, saxon elector, intervened. did not want 1 of subjects sent rome judged catholic clergy prevailed on charles v, holy roman emperor arrange compromise.

an arrangement effected, however, whereby summons cancelled, , luther went augsburg in october 1518 meet papal legate, cardinal thomas cajetan. argument long, nothing resolved.

first edition of exsurge domine.


political maneuvering

what had started strictly theological , academic debate had turned of social , political conflict well, pitting luther, german allies , northern european supporters against charles v, france, italian pope, territories , other allies. conflict erupt religious war after luther s death, fueled political climate of holy roman empire , strong personalities on both sides.

in 1526, @ first diet of speyer, decided until general council meet , settle theological issues raised martin luther, edict of worms not enforced, , each prince decide if lutheran teachings , worship allowed in territories. in 1529, @ second diet of speyer, decision previous diet of speyer reversed — despite strong protests of lutheran princes, free cities , zwinglian territories. these states became known protestants. @ first, term protestant used politically states resisted edict of worms. on time, however, term came used religious movements opposed roman catholic tradition in 16th century.

lutheranism become known separate movement after 1530 diet of augsburg, convened charles v try stop growing protestant movement. @ diet, philipp melanchthon presented written summary of lutheran beliefs called augsburg confession. several of german princes (and later, kings , princes of other countries) signed document define lutheran territories. these princes allied create schmalkaldic league in 1531, led schmalkald war in 1547 pitted lutheran princes of schmalkaldic league against catholic forces of charles v.

after conclusion of schmalkald war, charles v attempted impose catholic religious doctrine on territories had defeated. however, lutheran movement far defeated. in 1577, next generation of lutheran theologians gathered work of previous generation define doctrine of persisting lutheran church. document known formula of concord. in 1580, published augsburg confession, apology of augsburg confession, large , small catechisms of martin luther, smalcald articles , treatise on power , primacy of pope. distributed in volume entitled book of concord.

results of lutheran reformation

luther , followers began large exodus roman catholic church known protestant reformation. large numbers of europeans left roman church, including majority of german speakers (the german speaking areas population remained in catholic church under domain or influence of catholic austria , bavaria or electoral archbishops of mainz, cologne, , trier). because luther sparked mass movement, known father of protestant reformation, , father of protestantism in general.