Martin Luther and the Reformation
Martin Luther was a revolutionary thinker, humble monk, and brilliant theologian. Luther has come to be known as the man who defied the Catholic religion and rebelled against their ways.
During Luther’s time Catholicism’s way to salvation seemed to be clouded by wealth and power. Their way to salvation was found through ways of good works such as prayer, fasting, pilgrimages, attendance at church, charity and participation in the mass. (Houghton Mifflin Company) They seemed to concentrate more upon these things than faith itself and being free of sin. Eventually the church started to sell indulgences. These indulgences were a guarantee that your ...view middle of the document...
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Luther realized that he may be in danger and he called upon the prince of his district, Frederick. Frederick convinced church officials, including the Pope, that Luther must be dealt with cautiously. But, when the Pope finally took action against Luther in 1520, it was too late. Luther had already been given the time to state his views against the church. He proclaimed the Pope was the Antichrist and that the church was the “most lawless den of robbers, the most shameless of all brothels, the very kingdom of sin, death and Hell.†Luther realized that Christians outside of the church needed protection so he published the Address to the Christian Nobility of the German Nation. In it he appealed to the emperor and the German princes to reform the church and to cast off their allegiance to the pope. Luther made clear that he wanted to present no threat to the power of the German Princes. The Reformation flourished. (Houghton Mifflin Company)
Shortly after, Charles V, who was the Roman Emperor at the time and also a devout Catholic summoned Luther to Worms. He asked Luther to answer to the charge of heresy, Luther declined causing him to go into hiding to escape arrest. During his year in hiding he translated the New Testament into German. His followers who were called Lutherans came to be called Protestants. They were those who protested against the church and the term was known for all the followers of the Reformation. (Houghton Mifflin Company)
The movement found...