martin luther and Birth of Protestantism
analytical Essay
644 words
Thesis statement: Martin Luther was responsible for the break-up of the Catholic Church
Martin Luther was a representative during the 16th century of a desire widespread of the renewal and reform of the Catholic Church. He launched the Protestant reform a continuation of the medieval religious search.
From the Middle ages, the church faced many problems such as the Babylonian Captivity and the Great Schism that hurt the prestige of the church. Most of the clergy lived in great luxury while most people were poor and they set an immoral example. The clergy had low education and many of them didn’t attend their offices. Martin Luther had witnessed this himself, “In 1510 he visited Rome and was shocked to find corruption on high ecclesiastical places”
During Luther’s early life he faced a severe inner crisis. When he sinned he looked for comfort in confession and followed the penance, the fasting, prayer and observances that the church directed him. But, he found no peace of mind and worried about his salvation. But reading St. Paul’s letters he came to believe that salvation came though faith in Christ. Faith is a free gift, he discovered, it cannot be earned. His studies led him to a conclusion that, “Christ was the only mediator between God and a man and that forgiveness of sin and salvation are given by god’s grace alone” (Martin Luther, 01). Historians agree that, “this approach to theology led to a clash between Luther and the Church officials, precipitating the dramatic events of Reformation”.
To construct Saint Peters Basilica, Archbishop Albert borrowed money from the Fuggers (wealthy banking family). To pay for this loan Pope Leo X gave permission to Archbishop Albert to sell indulgences in Germany. An indulgence is a way to reconcile with God, by confessing your sins to a priest and perform a penance. By the later Middle Ages people believed that indulgence removed all their sins and ensured entry to heaven. The selling of indulgence troubled Luther, he thought people were ignorant to believe that they didn’t have to repent after they bought an indulgence.
Martin Luther was a friar very devoted to the Church but after analyzing all these aspects he decided to do something about it. On October 31, 1517 he attached to the door of Wittenberg Castle a list of 95 theses or propositions on indulgences. These theses criticized papal policies and were objections about he church put on hold for discussion.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that martin luther was responsible for the break-up of the catholic church.
- Analyzes how luther faced a severe inner crisis when he sinned and followed the penance, fasting, prayer, and observances that the church directed him. he came to believe that salvation came through faith in christ.
- Describes how pope leo x gave permission to archbishop albert to sell indulgences in germany to construct saint peters basilica.
- Explains that martin luther was a friar very devoted to the church, but after analyzing all these aspects he decided to do something about it. he attached to wittenberg castle 95 theses or propositions on indulgences.
- Analyzes how luther studied the history of papacy, denied ity of the pope in 1519, and was condemned by the catholic church.
- Concludes that martin luther was a devoted catholic who didn't intend to break up the church he only wanted reform. his theses made protestants believe that salvation is decision of god not people and that religious authority rests in the bible alone
Related
- comparative
- explanatory
- argumentative
- analytical
- Roman Catholic Church Reformation: Martin Luthercomparative essayOn the 31st of October 1517 was the beginning of the reformation when Martin Luther Posted up his Ninety-Five Theses on the door of the Roman Catholic Church and published in Wittenberg, Germany. The Reformation Became the Basis for the founding of Protestantism, one of the three major branches of Christianity. Luther had far-reaching political, economic and social effects. But the main question is why Martin Luther was able to successfully challenge the church of its religious and political authority? After evaluating the main reasons why Luther had success challenging the church, it is to all appearances that the circumstances were in his favour and available to him during that time. To confirm this hypothesis, the three circumstances will be examined in order for it to be correct.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that martin luther's ninety-five theses became the basis for the founding of protestantism, one of the three major branches of christianity.
- Explains martin luther's decision to nail the ninety-five theses on the church door because the churches were lying to the good people who wanted to follow gods word.
- Explains that martin luther was a priest and professor in theology who started the protestant reformation. the printing press was one of the most important reasons why he was not executed for trying to defy the church.
- Describes how the council banned luther's writings and declared him a "convicted heretic". the duke of saxony planned the kidnapping of martin luther to trick the church into believing that he was actually abducted.
- Explains that nationalism is the patriotic feeling, principles, or efforts. political factors were important for each movement as it was a period of international political relations linked with the church's time-related power.
- Concludes that martin luther was able to successfully challenge the church after many others had failed because the circumstances were in his favour and available to him.
700 wordsRead More - Martin Luther And The Reformation Of The Reformation In Europeexplanatory essayReformation in Europe In the early 16th century, the church was the most powerful institution in Europe, even stronger than government; however, in 1517, Martin Luther, a professor in Northern Germany, posted criticisms of the church on a chapel door which would cause profound reformation of the religious system in Europe. When the dissent spread out to the world, the Catholic religion was shattered and many people of high social rank, such as king and princes, either defended or opposed Luther’s argument. Also, most people left the Catholic Church and became Protestants. What made everything turn to chaos after Luther published his thesis and what happened after this?
In this essay, the author
- Explains how martin luther's criticisms of the church shattered the catholic religion in europe. many people of high social rank, such as kings and princes, either defended or opposed his argument.
- Describes luther as a german professor of theology who changed european history profoundly. he was disappointed with the church by seeing unfaithful priests.
- Explains that luther was discontent with the catholic church when pope leo x started selling indulgences, a piece of paper which promised forgiveness of the sin. luther wrote 95 theses in latin and posted them on the chapel door.
- Explains that martin luther and other reformers like john calvin and the anabaptists wanted to create new churches to be independent from the catholic church for several reasons.
- Analyzes how john calvin, a frenchman, published the institutes of the christian religion, the most popular formulation of protestant theology. calvin rejected popery completely and argued that each church needed its own ministers.
- Explains how king henry viii suppressed pope clement vii in order to get political power. he also encouraged people to list grievances against the english clergy.
- Explains that the reformation was continuously grown by reformers such as calvin and luther, but there was also a movement called the counter-reformation within the catholic church, which opposed it.
- Explains how protestantism spread across europe after the reformation, and how counter-reformers changed the system dramatically.
- Opines that martin luther and reformers changed not only religion but also politics, society, and economy in europe.
1065 wordsRead More - Martin Luther And The Catholic Churchargumentative essayMartin Luther was a man who was alive between the late 1400’s and the mid 1500’s. He was a man who was very concerned for the welfare and progression of the Catholic Church in Europe at the time. He thought that the way things were run were not according to the Bible, and so he decided to make his opinion public. Because of this, he got a lot of bad backlash from the leaders of the Catholic Church and people in authority. Looking at the situation today, it can be firmly said and justified that Martin Luther was a hero for his work in bettering the Catholic Church.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that martin luther was a man who was concerned for the welfare and progression of the catholic church in europe at the time.
- Compares the catholic church of the 21st century to the modern-day church. before martin luther took a stand against what he knew to be wrong, the church was divided into sections.
- Explains that every department head had their own problems, as did the church as a whole. the church became money and power hungry, taking more money from its people and convincing them to buy pardons to save their souls.
- Analyzes how martin luther became skeptical of the church values and ways when he was introduced to the idea of being justified by faith alone. although excommunicated, his views were widely accepted.
- Explains that luther was a hero, and to any christian, that's all good. acts 16:31 says "believe in the lord and you will be saved-you and your household."
- Explains that martin luther was a hero to the old catholic church, despite their blindness to their faults, but he still made an impact on some parts of the world.
817 wordsRead More - Martin Luther's Religious Beliefs Essayanalytical essayMartin Luther was a former Priest/Monk and that saw some corruption in the Roman Catholic Church. Luther tried to bring his concerns to the Church in his writing of the “Ninety-five Theses on the Power of Indulgences.” When these question that Luther proposed to the Archbishop of Mainz went unsatisfactorily unanswered in 1517, Luther started defaming the Roman Church and pushed for the utter destruction of the Roman Church. What started out as an internal reform of Church’s discipline, turned into a war against the Roman Church for their total destruction. This was the intent of Luther’s sermon of 1521.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes martin luther's angry and bias sermon of 1521. he was a former priest/monk who saw some corruption in the roman catholic church.
- Explains that martin was a priest/monk in good standing with the roman church and had concerns on the discipline of the church.
- Analyzes how luther's anger and bias enraged him so much that nothing that the roman church did was good and needed to be destroyed.
- Concludes that luther was so blinded by rage because the church would not listen to his concerns that he attacked all the rituals of the roman church.
473 wordsRead More - Analysis Of Martin Luther And The Reformationexplanatory essayMartin Luther begins the Reformation by posting 95 theses Martin Luther is viewed as of Western history’s most significant figures in his fight for equality and civil rights. Initially, Luther, born in Germany spent his early years in relative anonymity where he was a monk and also a scholar. However, it is his contribution and scholarly work in 1517 that Luther is mostly renowned for. He wrote a document that was attacking the then Catholic Church’s corrupt practice. This practice was in the form of selling different indulgences to absolve sins that the church believed was a common attribute in the society (Ziegler and Bentley 55).
In this essay, the author
- Explains that martin luther began the reformation by posting 95 theses. his writings changed the course and perception of religion and cultural history in the west.
- Analyzes how luther wrote the disputation on the power and efficacy of indulgences, a list of questions and propositions for debate based on two issues that luther thought should be addressed by the catholic church.
- Explains that the 95 theses were written in a humble and academic tone and their main characteristics were questioning as opposed to accusing.
- Explains that the reform movement initiated by work on the 95 theses had grown beyond his influence and control as he had been excommunicated by the catholic church.
- Explains that martin luther's teachings were and still are regarded as exceptional in that he had foreseen the future and there was need to question the then catholic church.
- Explains that luther's audiences were originally intended for the catholic church and its affiliated members. the writings of luther inspired the other believers and led to some believers to switch sides to the protestants.
- Explains that martin luther is considered to be one of the most influential figures in western history. his writings were responsible for fractionalizing and questioning the catholic church.
- Explains that luther didn't have any intention of making his ideologies political but critical of the catholic church. his contributions to theological history were often based on the belief that the bible was the sole source of religious authority.
1172 wordsRead More - The Life and Influence of Martin Lutherexplanatory essayThe Life and Influence of Martin Luther Thesis: Martin Luther was by far one of the most influential people in Church history. His doctrine on faith and works was instrumental in the success of the reformation and has since become a cornerstone of the church we know today. Martin Luther was born on November 10th 1483. His father, Hans Luther, had made something out of himself and came to own a copper mine. Desiring to see his own son go even further he pushed him in school.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that martin luther was one of the most influential people in church history. his doctrine on faith and works was instrumental in the reformation.
- Narrates how martin luther was born on november 10th 1483. his father, hans luther, had made something out of himself and came to own a copper mine.
- Explains that martin luther's witnessing of the sale of indulgences changed him. the bible was not translated into the common tongue at this time.
- Explains that martin luther's most dramatic and bold act may have been nailing 95 theses onto the church doors in wittenberg.
- Explains luther's belief that scripture was the sole source of absolute truth and will of god. he attacked the doctrine of papal infallibility as the utter reversal of consensus.
- Explains that works are not just made real by faith, but they are evidence of someone who has a true faith. the catholic church showed hard opposition to the claims made by martin luther.
- Opines that martin luther was a hero of the faith calling out those who led the church with corrupt hearts.
1350 wordsRead More - The Reformationexplanatory essayDuring the 16th Century there was a religious revolution in Christianity throughout Europe. Martin Luther, a German monk, revolted against the Church because of what he saw as hypocrisy of the Catholic clergy and authority against Biblical beliefs. This was counter acted by the Catholic Church in an internal, peaceful and reform minded Catholic Reformation and by a conflicting and fighting Counter- Reformation to stop the spread of his teachings. Martin Luther believed the Clergy’s blatant disregard of duties and rules and the selling of indulgences justified his revolt while the Catholic Church disagreed both internally reforming the Church though rules and regulations and by counteracting and fighting though enforcement to stop it.
In this essay, the author
- Describes how martin luther, a german monk, revolted against the church because of hypocrisy of the catholic clergy and authority against biblical beliefs.
- Explains that martin luther revolted against the catholic church because of hypocrisy of ities and clergy with their disregard of duties and rules which was against biblical beliefs.
- Explains that the catholic reformation began with pope paul iii calling the council of trent which led to a spiritual renewal of the church.
- Explains how pope paul iii started the counter reformation with the creation of supreme sacred congregation of the roman universal inquisition, a committee that had the power to arrest, imprison, and execute suspected heretics.
- Explains that martin luther's revolt against the catholic church was caused by corruption and religious problems of the church.
712 wordsRead More - Taking a Look at Lutheranismexplanatory essayMartin Luther, a German monk, known to many as the “Father of Reformation” did not initially or intentionally, start the Lutheran religion. However, his teachings became the cornerstone of what is known today as the Lutheran Religion. Marting Luther was born in Germany in 1483, became a monk, got ordained in 1507 then began to teach at the University of Wittenberg. Even though Martin Luther was ordained in the Catholic Church he became torn as some of the acts of the church he believed to be wrong. So began the reform.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that martin luther had his own agenda in mind when he started the lutheran church. henry the eighth became a supporter of the catholic church to obtain his annulment and greater wealth.
- Describes how luther's 95 theses were a list of proposals to reform the catholic church and rid it of indulgences.
- Explains that the pope cannot remit any guilt, except by declaring and showing that it has been committed by god.
- Explains that god remits guilt to no one unless he humbles him and makes him submissive to the vicar, the priest.
- Explains that the penitential canons are imposed only on the living, and nothing should be impose upon the dying.
- Opines that the holy spirit through the pope is kind to us insofar as he in his decrees always makes exception of the article of death and of necessity.
- Explains how martin luther, a german monk, became the cornerstone of what is known today as the lutheran religion.
- Explains that the lutheran church only has two sacraments, whereas the catholic church has seven.
1047 wordsRead More - Martin Luther Reformationanalytical essayA reformation can be described as the action or process of making changes in the social, political, or economic institution to improve it, according to the Google dictionary. Martin Luther and the “95 Theses” started a chain of events throughout Europe that would be known as the Protestant Reformation. During the 16th century, the authority and power of the Church was challenged. This led to other denominations being created such as, Lutheranism. Martin Luther and the Reformation influenced the religion in the West and the culture.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that a reformation is the action or process of making changes in the social, political, or economic institution to improve it.
- Explains that the reformation began on october 31, 1517, which was the day martin luther nailed the "95 theses" on the church doors of wittenberg castle.
- Explains that martin luther didn't start out as a religious figure, but he went to study law at the university at erfurt, to please his father. after being hit by lightning, luther resigned from the university and entered an augustinian monastery.
- Analyzes how luther's "95 theses" expressed his thoughts on some of the church’s practices, such as the sales of indulgences. he saw this as a corrupt scam.
- Explains the "95 theses"'s controversial idea of a priesthood of believers, which encourages believers to read the bible and take part in church and government affairs.
- Narrates how pope leo x summoned martin luther to the diet of worms, where he stood firmly for his beliefs, which led him to be excommunicated by the pope and considered heretic by charles v, the holy roman emperor.
- Explains that before luther's translation of the bible to german, the only language it was in was latin.
- Analyzes how luther helped spark the protestant reformation with his protests against the church in the "95 theses." the church's role in society and power was questioned.
854 wordsRead More - Martin Luther Influenceanalytical essayMartin Luther a German theologian and religious reformer was the founding figure of the protestant reformation, the break from the Catholic Church, which in many ways marks the beginning of modern Europe. A well-expressed preacher and huge writer, Luther attacked many abuses of the Catholic Church, especially the papacy. The source of his spiritual revelation was not political or institutional but came from his inner fight of conscience. Like other people of his day, Luther was horrified that god would in the end reject him for his sins. He found a word in the bible called “Law” which increased his terror, but he also discovered a word god called “Gospel,” the good news and promise of mercy in Christ, which shed all of his worries. By his words and actions, Luther caused an action that reformulated certain rudimentary Christian belief and the division of Western Church between Roman Catholics and the Protestant traditions. He is one of the most influential person in the history of Christianity.
In this essay, the author
- Explains martin luther, a german theologian and religious reformer, was the founding figure of the protestant reformation, the break from the catholic church, which marks the beginning of modern europe.
- Describes how luther began his education at a latin school in mansfield, where he learned about the ten commandments, the lord’s prayer, and morning and evening prayers.
- Describes how luther began his studies at the university of erfurt and the augustinian monastery at wittenberg. he received his doctorate in the fall of 1512 and became a professor in biblical studies.
- Explains that luther was against this belief and other catholic doctrine as stated in the 97 theses. he nailed a copy of his 95 theses to the wittenberg castle church.
- Analyzes how augustine believed the bible and the writings of the early church philosopher as the definitive religious authority.
- Explains luther's reformation began in october 1517 when luther nailed 95 theses to the church door in contrasts with the practices of selling indulgence. johann tetzel was chosen to be inquisitor for poland and
1114 wordsRead More