Running Head: IMPACT OF LUTHER

Impact of Martin Luther on Modern Church

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Impact of Martin Luther on Modern Church

Introduction
Martin Luther (10 November 1483 in Eisleben, Germany - 18 February 1546 in Eisleben)
was a German monk, reformer and theologian. He became pastor of the Augustinian eremitternes order, which gave him a thorough Catholic education that led to that he was a
professor at the University of Wittenberg. In age of 30 he developed their own theological views
on church authority, the sacraments and the man and his relationship to God. He distanced
himself from the church's discharge. It ushered in the Reformation and the Evangelical
Lutheran churches. The Reformation began 31st October 1517, with his theses against
indulgences practice.1 It was not really a seminal theological bride, but they led a few years later
to an irrevocable break.
Background
In 1521 Luther was outlawed and sought refuge with the benevolent and powerful
prince at the castle Wartburg. Drawing raseren of churches led him to return to Wittenberg. His
movement joints setbacks in connection with the German peasant war and know that it was torn
by conflicting theological positions especially in the view of the Holy Spirit and the sacraments2.
Luther's translation of the Bible was of great importance for the German language.
His hymns with our God is so firm a castle inspired flourishing of Christian church singing,
which now no longer be sung in Latin , but in the mother tongue.3 His marriage to the
former nun Katharina von Bora gave priest marriage legitimacy within several Christian

Rittgers, R. K. (2013). The Early Reformation in Germany: Between Secular Impact and Radical
Vision. German History, ght083.
Hill, K. (2015). Baptism, Brotherhood, and Belief in Reformation Germany: Anabaptism and Lutheranism,
1525-1585. Oxford University Press.
Sproat Jr, J. C. (2013). The impact of culture, organists, and theology on the professional success of
Herman Schlicker. THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA.

IMPACT OF LUTHER

traditions. Luther's Reformation blew the ecclesiastical unity in Western Europe and North
Europe and was also large and lasting political and cultural change impacts.

Impact of Luther on Modern Church

The Catholic Church abused its power by exploiting the uneducated laity in a variety of
different ways. Luther had his tower experience in 1516, while he was studying the Bible he
came to a realization that the Catholics have misinterpreted it and they are not following the
word of God.4 One year later, Luther published his ideas on how the Catholic Church could
reform and make it into a more complete religion; these were the Ninety-five Theses. This was
the start of Luthers challenge to the Catholic Church. The most significant reason why Luther
was able to challenge the Catholic Church so successfully in 1517-25 is because of the role of
Luther, as he was the figurehead of Lutheranism and was very key to the challenge to the
Catholic Church. Another significant reason why Luther was able to challenge the Catholic
Church so successfully in 1517-25 is because of the response of Church and the Holy Roman
Empire. Furthermore, the support of Luther made it easier for Luther to challenge the Catholic
Church and so was an important reason.5
The role of Luther is the most important reason why Luther was able to challenge the
Catholic Church so successfully in the years 1517-25. The Ninety-five Theses in 1517, the 1520
pamphlets and printing press were very significant factors in making the word of Luther more
public to the uneducated laity about how the Catholic Church is exploiting them. The printing
press helped Luther challenge the Catholic Church easily because Luthers Ninety-five Theses
would get copied and so more people would be able to read it and so they can understand
4

Fleischer, D. (2012). The Devil in the Rectory. Ghosts, Spirits and Faith in Lutheranism Obsession in the
Early Modern Times.
Kreis, S. (2013). The Impact of Luther and the Radical Reformation.

IMPACT OF LUTHER

Luthers ideas and what his ideologies were.6 The Ninety-five Theses firstly introduced the laity
into Luthers ideas such as indulgences were wrong and the Pope has too much power that he
should not have. Furthermore, the pamphlets updated the views of Luthers philosophies such as
the fact that transubstantiation is not true and the body of Christ does not actually become
sacrificed. This therefore made Luther able to challenge the Catholic Church so successfully in
the years 1517-25 because the printing press gave Luther publicity and made his views known to
Germany and some parts of Europe and so when people would read the Ninety-five Theses or the
1520 Pamphlets they may want to join the Lutheran movement thus giving Luther more support
to challenge the Catholic Church. Luther also used woodcuts to challenge the Catholic Church
significantly. Woodcuts were cartoons carved into wood, before being printed onto paper in large
numbers by a printing press. Only ten percent of German population could read, making visual
imagery more important than the written word because more people can understand it. This
therefore made Luthers challenge to the Catholic Church successful because ninety percent of
the laity could not read so the woodcuts were a way in which they can understand Luthers
message for themselves and not need a bishop or priest to tell them their distorted interpretation
of the Bible. The woodcuts reached a wider audience because it was easy to understand the views
Luther was trying to describe as the meaning of the woodcuts were hard to be misinterpreted in
most cases. This therefore would make his challenge more successful because he is reaching out
to more people and describing to them about the exploitation that is occurring within the Church.
Moreover, catechisms were used and this helped Luther significantly in challenging the Catholic
Church. Catechisms were a summary of Christian beliefs in the form of short questions and
answers.7 Lutheranism was evangelic, so it focused on the Bible and sermons rather than
6

Iverson, R. J. A. (2013). The Lutheran Understanding Of Chosen: The Election Controversy In Midwestern
Lutheranism And Its Lasting Ramifications.
Kreis, S. (2013). The Impact of Luther and the Radical Reformation.

IMPACT OF LUTHER

ceremonies. Luther talked to people on their intellectual level to simply explain the more
confusing points in the Bible that can be misinterpreted. There were large catechisms for adults
and small catechisms for children and it became common for a Father to test his household on
the Catechisms every week, usually on a Sunday. Catechisms made Luthers challenge to the
Catholic Church more successful because it allowed the laity to further their understanding of the
Bible and so Luther gained more support as his ideas were all based upon his understanding of
the Bible, which the laity had been taught. Furthermore catechisms became very popular in
German household, this spread Luthers teachings across Germany. Luther was able to challenge
the Catholic Church so successfully because of these points because these points made Luthers
ideas more widespread and so this caused many people to hear about Lutheranism and join the
movement against the Catholic Church.8
The response of the Church and Holy Roman Empire controversially helped Luthers
challenge against the Catholic Church. Luther debating with Johann Eck about the points from
the Ninety-five Theses helped Luthers challenge greatly. Eck was recognized as being the most
skilful debater in Germany. The debate was judged by panel of neutral academics that were to
judge the debate and decide on a winner at the end. Eck won the debate in technical terms, as the
panel believed that Johann points were more valid and more effective than Luthers. Luther and
Eck debated on numerous topics that are included in the Ninety-five Theses such as indulgences,
purgatory and several of the sacraments and the two agreed that these had no basis in the Bible.
9

The Pope then issued Luther with the Papa Bull which was in response to his controversial

views on the Papacy where the Pope threatened Luther with excommunication if he did not

Hill, K. (2015). Baptism, Brotherhood, and Belief in Reformation Germany: Anabaptism and Lutheranism,
1525-1585. Oxford University Press.

Wiesner, M. E. (2014). Gender, Church and State in Early Modern Germany: Essays by Merry E. Wiesner.
Routledge.

IMPACT OF LUTHER

recant his views. Luther then burned the Papa Bull publicly and then produced a pamphlet whose
title was Against the Bull of the Anti-Christ where he claimed that the Pope was the devil,
following this the Pope excommunicates Luther. This therefore made Luthers challenge to the
Catholic Church more successful because the debate would give Luther publicity and so more
people would hear about Luther and his ideas and the laity may realize that the Catholic Church
is exploiting them. Furthermore, the debate with Eck unintentionally encouraged him to develop
his ideas and he became more radical such as his views on the Papacy. As Luther claimed that
the Pope had no special abilities and he was an ordinary person. The Pope excommunicating
Luther would give Luther a lot of publicity because everybody would be informed that Luther
was excommunicated as they were advised to ignore them so this will make people curious and
so they will ask people around who Luther was. If the laity hears about him and agrees with his
ideas, Luthers movement would be bigger and so he will be able to challenge the Catholic
Church more successfully.10
Moreover, the support of Luther was a significant reason why Luther was able to
challenge the Catholic Church so successfully in 1517-25. Frederick of Saxony was a significant
figurehead in the Lutheran movement and was one of the most important reasons why Luther
was able to challenge the Catholic Church so successfully in the years 1517-25. It was Frederick
the Wise who persuaded Charles V that Luther should be allowed to defend himself at the Diet of
the Worms. When the Emperor outlawed Luther in the Edict of Worms, Frederick kidnapped
Luther for his own protection and hid him away at Wartburg Castle. Frederick then negotiated
with the Emperor to ensure that the Edict of Worms did not have to be enforced within Saxony.11
This therefore made Luthers challenge to the Catholic Church more successful because
10

11

Loughlin, J. (2014). The theological and secular dimensions of the modern state. Routledge Handbook of
European Politics, 52.
Bainton, R. H. (2013). Here I stand: A life of Martin Luther. Abingdon Press.

IMPACT OF LUTHER

Frederick the Wise protected Luther by kidnapping him so he would not be arrested at the Diet of
Worms. Furthermore, Melanchanon was a significant figurehead in the Lutheran movement and
was also one of the reasons why Luther was able to challenge the Catholic Church so
successfully in the years 1517-25. Melanchanon aided Luther when he was in captivity by
always being at his service when Luther needed him. Also Melanchanon organized many of
Luthers expeditions which were all successful. This therefore made Luthers challenge to the
Catholic Church more successful because Melanchanon helped a lot when Luther was in
captivity and when he was hiding. This is significant because Melanchanon carried on
progressing the Lutheran movement even when Luther was not doing any of the work.12
The most significant reason why Luther was able to challenge the Catholic Church so
successfully in 1517-25 is because of the role of Luther, as he was the figurehead of Lutheranism
and was very key to the challenge to the Catholic Church. Another significant reason why Luther
was able to challenge the Catholic Church so successfully in 1517-25 is because of the response
of Church and the Holy Roman Empire. Furthermore, the support of Luther made it easier for
Luther to challenge the Catholic Church and so was an important reason.
Writings of Luther
The number of books attributed to Martin Luther is quite high. However, some scholars
believe Luther many such works were at least outlined by some of his friends,
like Melanchthon. Luther's fame gave them a greater potential audience than had obtained to be
published under the names of their real authors.13

12

Wiesner, M. E. (2014). Gender, Church and State in Early Modern Germany: Essays by Merry E. Wiesner.
Routledge.

13

Sproat Jr, J. C. (2013). The impact of culture, organists, and theology on the professional success of
Herman Schlicker. THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA.

IMPACT OF LUTHER

The most complete collection of voluminous writings of Luther is Weimar

Ausgabe (Weimar Edition), which consists of 101 folio volumes, although only a fraction of
these writings have been translated.14
Some of his books explain how settled epistles with its canonicity, hermeneutics, exegesis
and exposition, and show how the books of the Bible are integrated together. Prominent among
them the writings on the Epistle to the Galatians, in which compares himself to the Apostle
Paul in his defense of the Gospel (e.g., comment on Luther and the Epistle to the Galatians).15
Luther also wrote about the civil and ecclesiastical administration and the Christian
home.
Luther's literary style was controversial, in part because when he was passionate about a
subject came to insult his opponents. Like other reformers were very intolerant of other faiths
and opposing points of view to his and this may have exacerbated the Protestant Reformation in
Germany.16

Lutheranism
Note that Luther did not personally found the Lutheran church as an institution, nor
planned that his teachings derive a new Christian denomination. By contrast, he said, in his own
words, his desire that did not happen when he stated:
I pray to leave my name alone. No well call themselves' Lutheran 'but Christians. Who
is Luther? My doctrine is not mine. I have not been crucified for anyone. How could therefore
benefit me to me, a miserable bag of dust and ashes, give my name to the children of Christ?

14

15

16

Hill, K. (2015). Baptism, Brotherhood, and Belief in Reformation Germany: Anabaptism and Lutheranism,
1525-1585. Oxford University Press.
Iverson, R. J. A. (2013). The Lutheran Understanding Of Chosen: The Election Controversy In Midwestern
Lutheranism And Its Lasting Ramifications.
Mullett, M. A. (2014). Martin Luther. Routledge.

IMPACT OF LUTHER

Stop, my dear friends, to hold on to these names of parties and distinctions; outside them all, and
let us call ourselves only Christians, as one from whom comes our doctrine ". 17
However, in the historicity of the Protestant Reformation, it was designating the
"Lutheran" appellation and "Lutheranism" to refer to the interpretive doctrine and teachings that
Luther made about Christianity. This term was used equally by the Catholic Church to refer to
supporters of the interpretations that Luther had about Christianity. However, were gradually
consolidating various self-styled Lutheran churches, and thus was formed the Christian
denomination itself.18
Legacy
Martin Luther was the main architect of the Protestant Reformation, which had a much
more prominent role than other reformers. Thanks to the press, his writings were read throughout
Germany and exerted influence on many other reformers and thinkers, giving rise to various
Protestant traditions in Europe and elsewhere.19
Both the Protestant Reformation as the consequent catholic reaction, the CounterReformation, they were an important intellectual development in Europe, for example, by the
scholastic thought of the Jesuits in the case of Catholicism. For his translation of the Bible,
Luther is also considered one of the founders of German literature.
In the Lutheran territories greatly decreased the absolute power of kings.
Catholics and Protestants held each other terrible religious wars. A century after Luther's
protests, a revolt in Bohemia led to the Thirty Years' War, a conflict between Catholics and
Protestants that devastated much of Germany.20
17
18

19

20

Luther, M. (2012). Martin Luther's basic theological writings. Fortress Press.

Cole, R. G. (2013). Martin Luther's Use of Rhetorical Masks for Jews, Princes, Clerics, and other Enemies:
The Problem of Meaning in a Post Modern Age.Journal of Religious History, 37(3), 309-321.
Iverson, R. J. A. (2013). The Lutheran Understanding Of Chosen: The Election Controversy In Midwestern
Lutheranism And Its Lasting Ramifications.
Wiesner, M. E. (2014). Gender, Church and State in Early Modern Germany: Essays by Merry E. Wiesner.
Routledge.

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References

Bainton, R. H. (2013). Here I stand: A life of Martin Luther. Abingdon Press.

Cole, R. G. (2013). Martin Luther's Use of Rhetorical Masks for Jews, Princes, Clerics, and other
Enemies: The Problem of Meaning in a Post Modern Age.Journal of Religious
History, 37(3), 309-321.
Fleischer, D. (2012). The Devil in the Rectory. Ghosts, Spirits and Faith in Lutheranism
Obsession in the Early Modern Times.
Hill, K. (2015). Baptism, Brotherhood, and Belief in Reformation Germany: Anabaptism and
Lutheranism, 1525-1585. Oxford University Press.
Iverson, R. J. A. (2013). The Lutheran Understanding Of Chosen: The Election Controversy In
Midwestern Lutheranism And Its Lasting Ramifications.
Kreis, S. (2013). The Impact of Luther and the Radical Reformation.
Loughlin, J. (2014). The theological and secular dimensions of the modern state. Routledge
Handbook of European Politics, 52.
Luther, M. (2012). Martin Luther's basic theological writings. Fortress Press.
Mullett, M. A. (2014). Martin Luther. Routledge.
Rittgers, R. K. (2013). The Early Reformation in Germany: Between Secular Impact and Radical
Vision. German History, ght083.
Sproat Jr, J. C. (2013). The impact of culture, organists, and theology on the professional success
of Herman Schlicker. THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA.
Wiesner, M. E. (2014). Gender, Church and State in Early Modern Germany: Essays by Merry
E. Wiesner. Routledge.