Martin Luther

Traditions of Western Christianity: Catholic and Protestant

• During the Middle Ages, Christianity united Europe and pervaded all aspects of life.

• In the 15th century, the unity in Europe began to break apart:

  • Trade was increasing, and a new class of people emerged—tradespeople.

  • Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press and the Bible was the first book printed. 

  • Now, more people could own books and read the scriptures without the influence of the Church.

  • People began to question the power and authority previously held by nobility and leaders of the Church.

  • At that time, a number of popes sought too much power and luxury, clergy were poorly trained, and monasteries had become too powerful and wealthy.

• A reform movement began that broke the unity of the Western Church.

Martin Luther and Lutheranism

• In 1517, Dominican friar John Tetzel began to sell indulgences in Germany.

• Martin Luther, an Augustinian monk, protested against this practice. 

• In 1517, Luther posted his criticisms in the form of 95 Theses.

• He set off a series of events that led to the development of a new movement in Christianity known as Lutheranism.

  • By 1520, he recommended a rejection of the authority of the Catholic Church.

  • The pope condemned 41 propositions from Luther’s writings, insisting he recant them (take them back).

  • In December 1520, Luther publicly burned the papal document.

  • In the spring of 1521, Luther was asked again to recant, but he refused.

  • He was declared an outlaw.

  • Under the protection of Prince Frederick of Saxony, Luther began to translate the Bible into German.

  • He continued his writing and work in reforming the churches of Germany

• Luther died in 1546, and his notion of freedom became one of his legacies.

• Gradually, individual freedom from the authority of the Church became freedom from authority of tyrannical rulers, and freedom from laws over which people had no say.

• Catholic Church’s position

Letter of James 2:14 What good is it...if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? 17 ...faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

Martin Luther’s position

1. Romans 1:17 “For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

2. Ephesians 2:8 “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift.”