The Life and Work of Martin Luther Essay - 1531 Words

Arguably one of the most recognizable names in Church history, Martin Luther rattled the cages of the legalistic, heretical Roman Catholic authorities, and enabled the masses to encounter God in a more direct way from that point on. The New Westminster Dictionary of Spirituality describes him as, â€Å"â€Å"An Augustinian Eremite friar and theology professor at Wittenberg, who emerged as the principal guide and spokesman of the Protestant Reformation, giving his name to the strongest wing of that movement†¦ predominantly regarded as church leader, reformer and innovator.† Martin Luther’s life and theology have forever changed and shaped the way Christian’s view and value faith and works through his writing and hand in the reformation. On†¦show more content†¦While returning horseback to the university amidst a thunderstorm, lightning struck he ground very near Luther, and he was flung from his horse. In terror, he cried aloud making a promise to St. Anna that he would become a monk if he made it out of the storm alive. True to his word and to his father’s dismay, Martin Luther begrudgingly joined one of the most devout Augustinian monasteries in Erfurt on July 17, 1505 where he fully gave himself to the Christian disciplines of fasting, confession, and making pilgrimage out of his struggle to find peace with God. Concerned with the eternal fate of his own soul, Luther literally, through penance, and figuratively beat himself up. It was not until Luther came under the mentorship of Johan von Staupitz, a superior to Luther in the Augustinian order, which Luther understood that true repentance did not take in the physical, self-harm of the outer body but rather a change of heart. Staupitz encouraged L uther to pursue an academic career and in 1507 was ordained as a priest. In 1508 Luther started teaching theology at the University of Wittenburg where he, himself, attained a number of degrees. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies, a Bachelor’s degree in Sentences by Peter Lombard, and finally on October 19, 1512, he finally earned a Doctor of Theology degree. Under the pressure of academic study, Martin wasShow MoreRelatedThe Life And Work Of Martin Luther1529 Words   |  7 PagesMartin Luther experienced true faith and a true mystical experience for the first time when he got stuck in a thunderstorm. Fearing for his life he begged St. Anne that if she took care of him he would become a monk. Luther’s journey began towards the life of God. The path he took, led him through moments of realization and confusion. Martin Luther questioned the church and re-evaluated baptism; yet, he re-enforced the importance of the Eucharist, kept his faith in God and believed every child ofRead MoreEssay Life and Work of Martin Luther King Jr.2061 Words   |  9 PagesMartin Luther King Jr. was a civil rights activist from the 1950’s to 1968 with a strong religious background. A strong advocator for all minorities, King did all in his power to end barriers of community; poverty, racism and militarism. The principle he focused more on, however, was racism. King defined racism as prejudice, apartheid, ethnic conflict, anti-Semitism, sexism, colonialism, homophobia, ageism, or discrimination against disabled groups and stereotypes. Later turning his efforts toRead MoreMartin Luther And The Catholic1550 Words   |  7 Pagestransformation, but Martin Luther is one of the more significant figures. This paper is about how Martin Luther, a catholic German Monk, played a substantial role in influencing the religion of that time and initiated the Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther affected the Catholic Church, which was the major religion in Europe at the time, with his deep-seated beliefs on indulgences and how you can find your own salvation without aid of the Catholic Church or the Pope. After Martin Luther was tried atRead MoreMartin Luther s Life Changing Life1604 Words   |  7 PagesMartin Luther Kjerstine Martin HIST 101-04F May 1, 2016 Thu-ba-lump. A single horse’s hooves hit against the dirt as he runs down the road. Thu-ba-lump. Thunder claps overhead. Thu-ba-lump. Lightning pierces the ground, startling the horse and throwing the rider from it. On his knees, frightened for his life, he calls out into the storm, â€Å"Help me, St. Anne! I will become a monk! (Christian History Magazine Staff, 2000)† While no one knows exactly what happened on this day, it was quiteRead MoreThe 95 Theses By Martin Luther982 Words   |  4 PagesFor this essay, I chose the 95 Theses by Martin Luther as my primary source. This primary source is a historical document that cause major uproars throughout Europe. The 95 Theses were written by Martin Luther in October of 1517. The 95 Theses were ninety-five statements written by Martin Luther in opposition to the Roman Catholic Church. They challenged the common practices of the Catholic Church, including indulgences and the authority of the pope. The 95 Theses sparked a theological debate thatRead MoreMartin Luther King Jr. What Was The Point Of Segregation711 Words   |  3 Pagesdays of August 1963, Martin Luther king Jr did a march down a Washington D.C street that was very important to the united states to stop most legalized segregation. This was the point of discrimination that Martin Luther King Jr has faced. Background: This is part of the march on washington for jobs and freedom. The march is to help make segregation illegal. Segregation was a law made during jim crow laws times when he thought that blacks didn’t deserve to go to school or work with white men andRead MoreMartin Luther: a Brief History/Impact on Western Civiliation791 Words   |  4 PagesMartin Luther: A Brief History/Impact on Western Civiliation Martin Luther was a man with a purpose. Born in 1483 in Eisleben, Martin Luther was a German Monk who started one of the greatest religious revolutions in the history of the Western world. Before discussing the impact of his revolution on the modern world, we must first establish some background information about the man and the Roman Catholic Church. Martin Luther lived a tough childhood where he did not enjoy the customary joys thatRead MoreMartin Luther And The Christian Church992 Words   |  4 PagesMartin Luther was an Augustinian monk who believed the grace of God alone would justify fall humans. Luther one day translated the Bible into German unknowingly beginning the start of a radical religious revolution. Luther wanted to reform the Christian church of abuses. He wanted to return the church to its roots of Christianity and take away moderation. Luther believed in the reading of scriptures and finding the truth from within them. Robert Kolb believed, â€Å"Luther was filled with the dynamismRead MoreThe Protestant Reformation And The Reformation871 Words   |  4 Pagesbeen teaching. Some famous reformers are John Calvin and Martin Luther. However, Martin Luther-- to some--- is named the most successful and influential reformer of the 16th century. Martin Luther was tremendously effective and influential due to how re sourceful he was, and his teachings spread across Europe swiftly. Martin Luther was born in Eisleben, Saxony which is located in Germany on November 10, 1483 (â€Å"Martin Luther- Biography†). Luther was born into humble living, with his parents were peasantsRead MoreMartin Luther : A Father Of The Protestant Reformation1462 Words   |  6 PagesMartin Luther: A Father of the Protestant Reformation During the 16th century, many people began to question the doctrine and practices of the Catholic Church. The church was selling indulgences (forgiveness) to release people from their debt of sin. The higher positions held in the church were being sold to those who would pay the most money. The clergy’s greed and thirst after money essentially divided the church between the peasants and clergy. One man disagreed with the actions of the Catholic