Martin Luther

                                    

Martin Luther

                                    

Born November 10, 1483.

To Parents who were middle-class peasant laborers

Martin Luther

                                    

Education:Parents enrolled him at Mansfeld Latin school at age 4 ½(Normal enrollment age was 6-7)

Masters of Arts Degree from University of Erfurt(ranked second in class)

Martin LutherMonastery:Luther decided to become a monk in 1505, a decision his parents did not agree with.

He belonged to the Augustinian Order of Hermits. (Originally founded in 1287)

Martin Luther

                                    

Continued Learning and Teaching:

Returned to Erfurt to take classes that led him toreceive a Bachelor of Arts in the Bible degree

Began teaching philosophy at the University ofWittenberg

Martin Luther

                                    

The Light in the Tower:

After much studying in Genesis, Psalms, Romans, and Galatians, Luther learns that:

•Man is made righteous through faith and not by works. •Jesus was punished in his place•Luther could only be holy if he had faith in a Holy Jesus.

A lesson that the Catholic church did not promote.

Martin Luther

                                    

Luther vs. Indulgences:

Luther had a series of sermons in which put into question the validity of Indulgences.

Luther preached that “True inner sorrow and repentance for sin is much more important than buyingindulgences.”

Martin Luther

                                    

October 31, 1517 (Holy Evening)

Walked from his room to the North Door of the CastleChurch and announced a debate by hammering the95 Theses on the door.

Martin Luther

                                    

95 Theses main points:

•Defined Luther’s perspective of what true repentance is.•No man is better than another, God grants the benefits of Christ•Religion was a personal matter between God and Man•Gospel of forgiveness in Jesus Christ was all-important•Objected to using indulgence money to build Churches•Service and Mercy are above indulgences•Challenged papal authority over souls in purgatory

Martin Luther

                                    

Excommunication and the Edict of Worms:

Luther was excommunicated by the pope in January 1521

Edict of Worms made Luther an outlaw and his workswere to be burned, while he was to be captured.

Martin Luther

                                    

Death and Burial:

Luther succumbed to death on February 18,1546 and his grave is located directly in front of the pulpit wherehe preached at the Castle Church.

Martin Luther

                                    

Significance:

Martin Luther opened the door to challenge Churchauthority through studying and by the use of reason. The Church had become a corrupt, money making machine and he felt that she was leading believers astray. his challenging brought about Reformation which createdmany of the different denominations of churches that are around today.

Resources:

                                    

Martin Luther picture: http://encarta.msn.com/media_461526848_761562628_-1_1/martin_luther.htmlErfurt picture: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/germany/erfurt-dom-cathedral.htmCastle Church picture: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/germany/wittenberg-schlosskirche-photos/slides/xti_8258p.htm95 Thesis Door: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/germany/wittenberg-schlosskirche-photos/slides/IMG_4711.htmLuther Tomb: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/germany/wittenberg-schlosskirche-photos/slides/IMG_4751c.htm

Information:

Nohl, Frederick Martin Luther, Hero of Faith, St Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House 1962

http://christianity.about.com/od/lutherandenomination/a/martinlutherbio.htm

http://www.educationalwriting.net/resource-center/Thesis/Topics/Summary_of_95_Thesis_Topic.htm

Spielvogel, Jackson J. Western Civilization A Brief History, Belmont CA; Thomson Higher Education 2008.