Chapter 10: Revolt and Reform Martin Luther’s Call For Reform 1517-1546

Martin Luther Martin Luther (1483-1546) was priest and a monk who lived in Wittenberg, Germany. He was a scholar of the Church and lived a very strict, religious life. He began the Protestant Reformation in 1517 when he nailed a copy of his 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. 95 Theses would come to completely change the course of both Christianity and world history forever.

Luther’s Problem: Indulgences Luther had an issue with the selling and granting of indulgences – which is the forgiveness of the punishment associated with the sin a person commits. Luther disagreed with the idea that an indulgence gave a person true salvation, and he saw the process and practice of the selling of indulgences by the Church as being corrupt and going against what Christ taught.

Luther’s Other Problem: External Practices Luther believed that while faith and trust in God is necessary for salvation, he also believed that faith is given by the grace of God. Thus, he believed that Catholics had become way too over-dependent and over-relied on external practices to guarantee salvation. Examples: pilgrimages, visiting shrines, saying extra-long prayers, indulgences, etc.

Rome as the Enemy As more and more people in Germany began to discuss Luther’s 95 Theses, they began to see Rome as the enemy. While some were concerned with the theological issues at hand, many were concerned with where their money went. “Why should our German money go to build St. Peter’s Basilica for the Pope in Rome?” Also, some people began to question the authority of the Pope in general – did he really have the power to do what did? Wasn’t faith enough for salvation?

The Church’s View On Luther At first, the Pope, Leo X, really wasn’t too concerned with Luther. However, the accusations of heresy started being directed at Luther, which disturbed him. In Luther’s mind, he was just doing what he had been taught and allowed to do, which was to discuss the teachings of the Church. However, the Pope’s advisors, known as the Curia, pressured the Pope to excommunicate Luther, as did the German Emperor.

Luther’s Response Papal Authority: The Pope and his advisors are not the final authority on matters of faith. Only the Bible is. Also, the authority of the Pope does not come from God, but from man. Thus, the Pope is fallible. On Grace: People are saved ONLY through their faith in Jesus. You can’t be saved through good works, only faith. The Bible: It is the supreme authority in the life of a Christian. There was to be nothing else.

The Result? Excommunication Luther was excommunicated in 1520 by Pope Leo X. The Pope was essentially pressured into excommunicating Luther by his advisors, the Curia, and by Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. Luther was given 60 days to renounce his teachings or the excommunication would stay. Luther chose to not change his views and the excommunication became final in January 1521. Even though he was supposed to be put to death by being burned at the stake, Luther was saved by his good friend Duke Frederick, who kept him safe in his castle at Wartburg. While he was there, he translated the Bible from Latin into German. Until his dying day, Luther still considered himself a Catholic.