Analysis Of Luther The Reformer By Kittelson

Luther the Reformer: The Story of the Man and His Career by James M. Kittelson is a biography of the famous German monk turned theologian and reformer, Martin Luther. This is one of the most influential men in history, and as a matter of fact, “In most big libraries, books by and about Martin Luther occupy more shelf room than those concerned with any other human being except Jesus of Nazareth” (Kittelson 9). This fame of Luther’s isn’t only postmortem, “This extraordinary interest in an extraordinary man reaches back almost half a millennium. Even in his own time Luther was a ‘media personality’ the first of such in three thousand years of human history” (Kittelson 9). Luther was a subject of great controversy in his own time, as well as in our, and it has only driven his name and message into the spotlight. No matter or what one aligns himself with, “People still find themselves taking sides on the question of Luther” (Kittelson 9). It is for this reason that James M. Kittelson wrote this survey. He tells us that “The primary purpose of this book is to tell the story of Martin Luther to readers who are not specialists in the field of Luther studies” (Kittelson 10). This book is a general overview of all aspects of Luther, not just a precise dissection of one aspect, which allows for “as faithful a picture as possible of the whole man” (Kittelson 11).

Martin Luther was a large figure in the protestant reformation, a monk a priest, composer and also a German professor of theology that inspired Martin Sr. Martin Luther was a man of god who believed that the bible was the only source of religious authority and you can only gain salvation from believing in Jesus and God. As such he challenged the preaching and teachings of the Catholic church. Martin

(Wikipedia.com) Luther made the 95 theses which directly criticized the Roman Catholic Church because of its teachings.(Yesnet.com) Martin Luther believed and shared that central source for ideas on religious ideas and salvation was the bible(History.com) Martin Luther changed the world by being a religious leader, making the 95 theses, being a monk, and being a German geologist. Martin Luther was known as a religious leader and was the most famous celebrity at his time period as he made his own branch of christianity called Lutheranism. Lutheranism was a religion based on two main beliefs, one was that the bible is the central source of religious

Martin Luther is considered to be one of the greatest theologians of all time. He was the leader of the Protestant Reformation, seen as a great intellectual and reformer in the eyes of many modern day Christians. The common consensus is that Martin Luther, disgusted at the corruption of the Catholic Church, wanted to change everything for the better by bringing religion closer to the people, rather than just using priests to dictate everything. This is one perspective of Luther, but there is another side to the man that is much more accurate and unsettling that explains the effects that the offsprings of Lutheranism have had on the post-renaissance world. Luther was intolerant, sexist, racist, and very anti-Semitic. Luther’s first error is found in his wholesale acceptance of

Martin Luther was a monk in the early 1500s, some of his most historical impacts consisted of the writing of his 95 theses, his excommunication from the Catholic Church, and when he founded the Lutheran Church. What most people do not know is that Martin’s father wanted him to become a lawyer and took Martin’s joining into the church as an act of rebellion (Biography.com). Martin Luther was only 34 when he made his first big contribution to history, which was writing his 95 Theses. The reason Luther wrote this document in 1517 was because he did not agree with the Catholic Church selling indulgences. Indulgences are a payment people would make to the Church instead of serving their penance, and their sins would be forgiven.

While facing a life threatening situation, Luther vowed to become a monk if he was to survive, and he went through with his promise (“About Martin…”). After entering the monastery and studying theology, however, Luther began realizing the problems and corruption he saw in the Church. More specifically, he began to realize these ideas when he began his first lectures on the Psalms in 1513 (Whitford). Through his lecturing and disparity to find the truth, Luther came to the realization that it would not be the Church that guarantees his eternal life, but instead his own faith (“About Martin…”). As the staff at history.com, a well-known academic website, states, already during this time there were some theologians and scholars that had begun questioning the practices of the Catholic Church and its morality.

One of the ideas is that that there is no authority and the people should be able to interpret things on their own,“He held that individuals might read the Bible and freely make their own interpretations according to their own conscience,” ( Palmer, Colton, Kramer p. 81). This idea was so revolutionary to the people because they were used to the authorities, the church, enforce the rules and interpret the Bible for them. This got many people on Luther’s side and they started to help him try to reform the church. Another idea Luther brought was Lutheranism. Luther broke off the Catholic Church when he kept asking them to make a change and they still did not do it. Many people broke off the Catholic Church and joined Lutheranism. The general population loved Luther’s ideas and they wanted to follow him. One more idea that Luther influenced was Calvinism because if Luther was not brave enough to speak up about what he felt was right; Calvin would not have done the

I think Luther here is speaking against a historical faith in that one can come to abtain knowledge about God and God’s law through the use of reason or through observable things. “We know what has come to pass and what was done” (LW 11:428). The risk of this, for Luther, is that faith can then be reduced down to just an intellectual activity where we can aquire information on the past events of Jesus’s life here on earth. For Luther this alone cannot save because it is yet the gospel. It only because the gospel when it grasps us(sinners) through The Word with the promise that Christ lived, died, and rose for the entire cosmos and yes this even includes a wretched sinner like me. Promise meaning things to come.

This study of Martin Luther is brought about through the many books written about him. As a whole most of the books all give much the same account of his life. I found that the Catholic encyclopedia gives remarkable insight to the work that he pursued. Some things, of course are left out of their account of his life. We have made two trips to Witenburg just to study his life, and at least a dozen trips to Rome in which we found that there was mixed reports of what went on when he visited the eternal city.

Martin Luther grew up in a home with very strict parents. As a result, Luther’s childhood was plagued with anxiety at home and at school. Because his father planned for him to become a lawyer, shortly after receiving a Master of Arts degree from Erfurt University he returned to the university to study law. Consequently, after a life threatening experience in a storm, Luther left the university and joined a monastery. In 1505, Luther became an Augustinian monk and subsequently became a priest in 1507. According to John Dillenberger, “Luther was extremely sensitive to the problem of how to become worthy to receive the grace of God rather than the damning consequences of His righteousness”.

Martin Luther was a brave person. He was brave enough to stand up for what he believed in and take a stand. He started a new belief system because he didn’t like the old one. Martin went against the Pope, and made it clear that he didn’t like how the Pope was running everything. He was responsible for a movement called the Reformation. He was the name behind the ninety-five theses.

Their actions do not outweigh their reasoning and beliefs. Their belief that, “ He lives only for others not for himself,” ( Luther 1) shows that, a ruler for instance, should refrain from acting justly in order to secure power. Instead they should act for the sole reason of helping the people they rule over. The whole excerpt is shaped around a persons belief in God. Instead of acting in order to be justified people should work for the betterment of others. “ I greatly fear that at this day few or no...functions are Christian ones,” ( Luther 4 ). Luther believed that Christian belief should be incorporated into all parts of a persons life.

Martin Luther's contribution to the Church could easily be dismissed because he is well known as anti-Semitic. In truth, he was, as most people are, more complicated than this. Luther is a wonderful example of the Grace of God using imperfect people. Luther is history's best proponent of justification by grace, yet some of his views did not always reflect God's love. God has not changed, He still chooses the average person to advance His kingdom. And why shouldn't He, we are all He's got!

I think the Roman Catholic teaching struck a much deeper chord in Luther. We all long for the affirmation of our fathers. We also have a deep need for acceptance by our Heavenly Father.

Martin Luther (November 10, 1483 - February 18, 1546) was a Christian theologian, Augustinian monk, professor, pastor, and church reformer whose teachings inspired the Lutheran Reformation and deeply influenced the doctrines of Protestant and other Christian traditions. Luther began the Protestant Reformation with the publication of his Ninety-Five Theses on October 31, 1517. In this publication, he attacked the Church's sale of indulgences. He advocated a theology that rested on God's gracious activity in Jesus Christ, rather than in human works. Nearly all Protestants trace their history back to Luther in one way or another. Luther's relationship to philosophy is complex and should not be judged only by his famous