An Analysis of the Life and Work of Martin Luther:

An Analysis of the An Analysis of the Life and Work of Life and Work of Martin Luther:Martin Luther:

The Reformer of an entire The Reformer of an entire CountryCountry

byby

Shawn R. PerryShawn R. PerryElementary German I - Professor Elementary German I - Professor

PanaccionePanaccione

Heiliges Römisches Heiliges Römisches Reich deutscher Reich deutscher

NationNation

Holy Roman Empire of the German Holy Roman Empire of the German NationNation

The lands of the Holy Roman Empire of the German The lands of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nations emerged from the Eastern borders of France to Nations emerged from the Eastern borders of France to the Western borders of Poland and the Ottoman Empire, the Western borders of Poland and the Ottoman Empire,

a Muslim region consisting of south-eastern Europe, a Muslim region consisting of south-eastern Europe, Turkey, part of the Middle East, and North Africa.Turkey, part of the Middle East, and North Africa.

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• • Johann Johann Guteberg Guteberg perfects upon perfects upon the printing the printing press in press in Mainz.Mainz.

• • Martin Martin Luther was Luther was born at born at EiselebenEiseleben in in Saxony on Saxony on November 10, November 10, 1483 on St. 1483 on St. Martin’s Eve.Martin’s Eve.

• • Luther was Luther was caught in a caught in a severe severe thunderstorm thunderstorm and in hopes of and in hopes of not being not being struck by struck by lightning, he lightning, he threw himself threw himself to the ground to the ground and vowed to and vowed to St. Anne to St. Anne to become a monk become a monk if he survived.if he survived.

• • Luther was Luther was sent to the sent to the University of University of Wittenberg Wittenberg in 1508 to in 1508 to study and study and lecture in lecture in arts.arts.

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Martin Luther was born Martin Luther was born at at EiselebenEiseleben in Saxony in Saxony on November 10, 1483 on November 10, 1483 on St. Martin’s Eve. on St. Martin’s Eve. Martin Luther was born Martin Luther was born into an age of Christian into an age of Christian fear was considered fear was considered “complicated, lively “complicated, lively and compassionate, and compassionate, however, stubborn, however, stubborn, fearful of the wrath of fearful of the wrath of God, given to the God, given to the tormenting tormenting introspection and self-introspection and self-inflicted punishment, inflicted punishment, all in the pursuit of all in the pursuit of spiritual salvation”. spiritual salvation”.

Martin Luther Martin Luther attended the attended the University of Erfurt University of Erfurt in 1501 where he in 1501 where he received a Bachelor received a Bachelor of Arts degree in of Arts degree in 1502 and a Master of 1502 and a Master of Arts degree in 1505. Arts degree in 1505. After receiving his After receiving his Master of Arts, under Master of Arts, under the influence of his the influence of his father, he enrolled in father, he enrolled in the study of law. the study of law.

Luther was said to question his own Luther was said to question his own mortality after the death of a close friend mortality after the death of a close friend and after a trip from his parent’s home back and after a trip from his parent’s home back to the University of Erfurt, where he was to the University of Erfurt, where he was caught in a terrible thunderstorm. After a caught in a terrible thunderstorm. After a close encounter with a bolt of lightning, close encounter with a bolt of lightning, Luther flung himself to the ground in terror, Luther flung himself to the ground in terror, and prayed to St. Anne that if he was and prayed to St. Anne that if he was sparred and allowed to live, he would sparred and allowed to live, he would dedicate his life to God. Luther left the dedicate his life to God. Luther left the University of Erfurt to enter as a monk University of Erfurt to enter as a monk under the St. Augustinian order at the Black under the St. Augustinian order at the Black Monestary in Erfurt to find inner peace with Monestary in Erfurt to find inner peace with his instilled fear of an angry God. his instilled fear of an angry God.

As a young monk As a young monk Luther was obsessed Luther was obsessed with atoning for his with atoning for his sins and went through sins and went through vast lengths to punish vast lengths to punish himself. This ranged himself. This ranged from extreme self from extreme self denial and physical denial and physical and mental tests to and mental tests to self flagellation. One self flagellation. One such punishment such punishment consisted of lying in consisted of lying in the snow, through the the snow, through the night at the height of night at the height of winter until he would winter until he would have to be carried have to be carried back inside.back inside.

Brother Martin Luther Brother Martin Luther was ordained a priest was ordained a priest and celebrated his first and celebrated his first mass in 1507, made his mass in 1507, made his vows in 1508, and vows in 1508, and selected for further selected for further theological studies at the theological studies at the University of Erfurt. His University of Erfurt. His diligence and passion for diligence and passion for his works, earned him his works, earned him the opportunity to be the opportunity to be sent to the University of sent to the University of Wittenberg in 1508 to Wittenberg in 1508 to join the Theology join the Theology Department to study and Department to study and lecture in arts. lecture in arts.

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• • Luther Luther journeys to journeys to Rome in the Rome in the company of a company of a fellow fellow Augustinian on Augustinian on business for the business for the order.order.

• • Luther Luther takes the takes the degree of degree of Doctor of Doctor of Theology Theology October 19, October 19, 1512.1512.

• • Luther Luther begins his begins his first lectures first lectures on Psalms at on Psalms at Wittenberg.Wittenberg.

• • Death of Death of Pope Julius II. Pope Julius II. Accession of Accession of Pope Leo X.Pope Leo X.

• • Lectures on Lectures on RomansRomans

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• • Lectures on the Lectures on the GalatiansGalatians

• • Luther Luther challenged challenged the subject the subject of of indulgences indulgences in the form in the form of the 95 of the 95 Theses for Theses for debate, on debate, on October 31, October 31, 15171517

• • Luther Luther presents his presents his appeal appeal before before Cardinal Cardinal Cajetan at Cajetan at the Imperial the Imperial Diet in Diet in Augsburg. Augsburg. Cardinal Cardinal Cajetan Cajetan requests requests that Luther that Luther renounce renounce his theses.his theses.

• • Luther Luther debates with debates with Johann Eck, a Johann Eck, a Roman Roman theologian, in theologian, in Leipzig Leipzig challenging the challenging the sale of sale of indulgences indulgences and questions and questions papacy papacy infallibility. infallibility.

• • Death of Death of Emperor Emperor Maximillian.Maximillian.

• • Election of Election of Charles V. to Charles V. to the Empire.the Empire.

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In 1510 Luther was In 1510 Luther was sent to Rome by sent to Rome by his vicar general, his vicar general, John von Staupiz, John von Staupiz, on business for the on business for the Augustinian order Augustinian order with a senior friar. with a senior friar. After a difficult After a difficult 800 mile journey, 800 mile journey, the two monks the two monks reached the Roman reached the Roman home of Pope home of Pope Julius II and early Julius II and early Christianity. Christianity.

During his pilgrimage, Luther became offended by the During his pilgrimage, Luther became offended by the manipulations of the papacy under Julius II and the manipulations of the papacy under Julius II and the Roman Popes before him. Luther later said that he Roman Popes before him. Luther later said that he would not have missed the trip, “for then I might have would not have missed the trip, “for then I might have been afraid of being unjust to the Pope.” been afraid of being unjust to the Pope.”

After his pilgrimage in Rome, Luther returned to the After his pilgrimage in Rome, Luther returned to the monastery in Erfurt and resumed his lectures at the monastery in Erfurt and resumed his lectures at the University of Wittenberg in 1511. Upon Luther’s University of Wittenberg in 1511. Upon Luther’s return, John von Staupiz approached Brother Martin return, John von Staupiz approached Brother Martin and requested that he consider becoming a doctor and requested that he consider becoming a doctor and a preacher in theological studies. Although and a preacher in theological studies. Although Luther provided many reasons why he should not, he Luther provided many reasons why he should not, he later returned to the University of Wittenberg, this later returned to the University of Wittenberg, this time to prepare for the doctorate and to lecture the time to prepare for the doctorate and to lecture the Bible. It was at Wittenberg that Luther read the Bible. It was at Wittenberg that Luther read the inspiring works of St. Augustine, the Scripture, the inspiring works of St. Augustine, the Scripture, the early church and humanism in preparation for his early church and humanism in preparation for his degree. In October of 1512, Luther received the degree. In October of 1512, Luther received the degree of Doctor of Theology. degree of Doctor of Theology. Slowly, terms like Slowly, terms like penancepenance and and righteousnessrighteousness took on new meaning. took on new meaning. Luther believed and taught that salvation is a gift of Luther believed and taught that salvation is a gift of God's grace, received by faith and trust in God's God's grace, received by faith and trust in God's promise to forgive sins for the sake of Christ's death promise to forgive sins for the sake of Christ's death on the cross. This, he believed was God's work from on the cross. This, he believed was God's work from beginning to end.beginning to end.

It was while lecturing at the Elector Frederick’s It was while lecturing at the Elector Frederick’s Castle Church in Wittenberg he began to take Castle Church in Wittenberg he began to take issue with the secular pursuits of the papacy. The issue with the secular pursuits of the papacy. The sale of St. Peter’s indulgences, the payment of sale of St. Peter’s indulgences, the payment of money replacing the deed of penance, or the money replacing the deed of penance, or the forgiveness of God contingent upon confession, forgiveness of God contingent upon confession, as issued originally by Pope Julius II and later as issued originally by Pope Julius II and later reissued Pope Leo X for the construction of a new reissued Pope Leo X for the construction of a new basilica over the tomb of St. Peter in the Vatican, basilica over the tomb of St. Peter in the Vatican, became a subject of concern for Luther when became a subject of concern for Luther when Johann Tetzel, a Dominican friar, established his Johann Tetzel, a Dominican friar, established his showman performance on the outskirts of the showman performance on the outskirts of the Wittenberg border. Tetzel promised the purchase Wittenberg border. Tetzel promised the purchase of this indulgence would assure a direct passage of this indulgence would assure a direct passage to heaven not only for the purchaser, but for the to heaven not only for the purchaser, but for the purchasers departed relatives who were suffering purchasers departed relatives who were suffering in purgatory. Luther believed that salvation of in purgatory. Luther believed that salvation of man was not found in the Church or in the sale of man was not found in the Church or in the sale of indulgences. He felt that if man were to repent indulgences. He felt that if man were to repent his sin through faith, he could be forgiven. his sin through faith, he could be forgiven.

“ “Out of love for the truth and the desire Out of love for the truth and the desire to bring it to light, the following to bring it to light, the following propositions will be discussed at propositions will be discussed at Wittenberg, under the presidency of the Wittenberg, under the presidency of the Reverend Father Martin Luther, Master Reverend Father Martin Luther, Master of Arts and of Sacred Theology, and of Arts and of Sacred Theology, and Lecturer in Ordinary on the same at that Lecturer in Ordinary on the same at that place. Wherefore he requests thathose place. Wherefore he requests thathose who are unable to be present and debate who are unable to be present and debate orally with us, may do so by letterorally with us, may do so by letter

In the Name our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen” In the Name our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen”

Luther challenged Luther challenged the subject of the subject of indulgences in indulgences in proposal for proposal for discussion in his discussion in his Disputation of Doctor Disputation of Doctor Martin Luther on the Martin Luther on the Power and Efficacy Power and Efficacy of Indulgencesof Indulgences, , known as the 95 known as the 95 Theses, which he Theses, which he posted to the door posted to the door of Frederick the of Frederick the Wise of Saxony’s Wise of Saxony’s Castle Church on Castle Church on October 31, 1517. October 31, 1517.

Luther presented copies of the 95 theses’ Luther presented copies of the 95 theses’ to his students and colleagues, who to his students and colleagues, who passed the proposition on to printers. In passed the proposition on to printers. In just a few months’ copies of Luther’s, 95 just a few months’ copies of Luther’s, 95 theses were available throughout Europe. theses were available throughout Europe. Approached by fellow Augustinians who Approached by fellow Augustinians who took alarm, Luther, decided to make took alarm, Luther, decided to make further certainty that everyone knew further certainty that everyone knew exactly what he meant. He submitted a exactly what he meant. He submitted a written tract to his bishop, and simplified written tract to his bishop, and simplified versions of his views in German among versions of his views in German among the people. the people. The controversy that broke The controversy that broke loose with the publication of the loose with the publication of the 95 Theses95 Theses placed even more pressure on the placed even more pressure on the reformer to study the Bible. This study reformer to study the Bible. This study convinced him that the Church had lost convinced him that the Church had lost sight of several central truths. To Luther, sight of several central truths. To Luther, the most important of these was the the most important of these was the doctrine that brought him peace with doctrine that brought him peace with God.God.

It wasn’t until 1518, that Pope Leo X took an It wasn’t until 1518, that Pope Leo X took an interest in much of what he regarded a interest in much of what he regarded a “monkish squabble” and summoned Luther to “monkish squabble” and summoned Luther to Rome. The Elector Frederick of Saxony, loathing Rome. The Elector Frederick of Saxony, loathing the idea of a Saxon being tried and judged by the idea of a Saxon being tried and judged by the Italians, asserted his view to Charles V in the Italians, asserted his view to Charles V in conference with Archbishop Albert. The Pope, in conference with Archbishop Albert. The Pope, in concessions to Frederick agreed to have Luther concessions to Frederick agreed to have Luther meet with Cardinal Cajetan in Augsburg, meet with Cardinal Cajetan in Augsburg, General of the Dominican Order. Luther, willing General of the Dominican Order. Luther, willing to accept that the abuses in the Church existed to accept that the abuses in the Church existed without the Popes knowledge, was “asked by the without the Popes knowledge, was “asked by the Cardinal, to recant his writings or face Cardinal, to recant his writings or face excommunication, trial by Inquisition and likely excommunication, trial by Inquisition and likely death; Luther quoted Scripture supporting that death; Luther quoted Scripture supporting that men were redeemed by faith and not by the men were redeemed by faith and not by the purchase of indulgences. Cardinal Cajetan purchase of indulgences. Cardinal Cajetan asserted that the theory of indulgences was asserted that the theory of indulgences was doctrine, Luther denied it” and the discussion doctrine, Luther denied it” and the discussion was ended.was ended.

• • Luther Luther publishes three publishes three of his most of his most famous tracts famous tracts about religious about religious reform.reform.

• • The papal bull The papal bull Exsurge Domine Exsurge Domine threaten Luther threaten Luther with with excommunicatiexcommunication.on.

• • Luther burns Luther burns Canon Law Canon Law publicly, along publicly, along with a copy of with a copy of the bull.the bull.

• • Pope Leo X issues the bull Pope Leo X issues the bull Decet Romanum Decet Romanum announcing Luther's announcing Luther's excommunication. excommunication.

• • In April, Luther makes his In April, Luther makes his stand before the Diet of stand before the Diet of Worms and is asked to Worms and is asked to recant his writings.recant his writings.

• • Charles V. condemns Charles V. condemns Luther and declares him an Luther and declares him an outlaw.outlaw.

• • In May, Luther is taken In May, Luther is taken covertly to the fortress covertly to the fortress Wartburg.Wartburg.

• • Luther makes a covert Luther makes a covert trip to Wittenberg to trip to Wittenberg to moderate reforms, returns moderate reforms, returns to Wartberg.to Wartberg.

• • At Wartburg, At Wartburg, the New the New Testament is Testament is translated into translated into German, German, published in published in Wittenberg.Wittenberg.

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In 1520 Luther published In 1520 Luther published three pamphlets: three pamphlets: The The Address to the Christian Address to the Christian Nobility of the German Nobility of the German NationNation, declaring that the , declaring that the Church should be Church should be reformed with assistance reformed with assistance of the State. of the State. The The Babylonian Captivity of the Babylonian Captivity of the ChurchChurch, asserting that , asserting that Rome had corrupted the Rome had corrupted the real meaning of the real meaning of the Gospel had been held from Gospel had been held from the people of the Christian the people of the Christian Roman Empire and calling Roman Empire and calling for reform, and for reform, and On the On the Freedom of a Christian ManFreedom of a Christian Man, , a short pamphlet on a short pamphlet on personal salvation.personal salvation.

Luther received the Luther received the papal bull papal bull Exsurge Exsurge Domine, Domine, which which threatened Luther with threatened Luther with excommunication, for excommunication, for his publishing’s that his publishing’s that summed the corruption summed the corruption of papal power. In of papal power. In response, Luther wrote response, Luther wrote Against the Execrable Bull Against the Execrable Bull of the Antichristof the Antichrist. On . On December 10, 1520, December 10, 1520, Luther an his students Luther an his students at Wittenberg burned at Wittenberg burned the Canon Law, the the Canon Law, the document that recorded document that recorded the laws of the church the laws of the church and the papal bull and the papal bull Exsurge Domine Exsurge Domine before before the city gate.the city gate.

In 1521 Martin In 1521 Martin Luther was Luther was excommunication excommunication by Pope Leo X. The by Pope Leo X. The only steps left, was only steps left, was to call for a secular to call for a secular ban making Luther ban making Luther an outlaw of the an outlaw of the land. Charles V land. Charles V called a diet, the called a diet, the assembly of the assembly of the princes, prelates princes, prelates and representatives and representatives of the free cities to of the free cities to assemble in assemble in Worms. Worms.

Luther was Luther was summoned before summoned before the Imperial Diet of the Imperial Diet of Worms, to appear Worms, to appear before Charles V and before Charles V and the princes to the princes to explain his conduct. explain his conduct. Archbishop Albert Archbishop Albert gives Luther the gives Luther the opportunity to recant opportunity to recant the heresies the heresies contained in 20 of contained in 20 of his publishing’s. his publishing’s. Because of his Because of his strong faith Luther strong faith Luther refused to change refused to change his beliefs and his beliefs and statedstated::

““Da dann Ihre Majestät und Ihr lordships Da dann Ihre Majestät und Ihr lordships eine einfache Erwiderung wünscht, ich eine einfache Erwiderung wünscht, ich ohne Hörner werde und ohne Zähne ohne Hörner werde und ohne Zähne beantworten. Wennbeantworten. Wenn ich nicht durch ich nicht durch Zeugnisse der Schrift und klare Zeugnisse der Schrift und klare Vernunftgründe überzeugt werde; denn Vernunftgründe überzeugt werde; denn weder dem Papst noch den Konzilien allein weder dem Papst noch den Konzilien allein glaube ich, da es feststeht, daß sie öfter glaube ich, da es feststeht, daß sie öfter geirrt und sich selbst widersprochen geirrt und sich selbst widersprochen haben, so bin ich durch die Stellen der haben, so bin ich durch die Stellen der heiligen Schrift, die ich angeführt habe, heiligen Schrift, die ich angeführt habe, überwunden in meinem Gewissen und überwunden in meinem Gewissen und gefangen in dem Worte Gottes. Daher kann gefangen in dem Worte Gottes. Daher kann und will ich nichts widerrufen, weil wider und will ich nichts widerrufen, weil wider das Gewissen etwas zu tun weder sicher das Gewissen etwas zu tun weder sicher noch heilsam ist. Gott helfe mir, Amen!noch heilsam ist. Gott helfe mir, Amen!„„

Dr. Rev. Martin LutherDr. Rev. Martin Luther

““Since then Your Majesty and your Since then Your Majesty and your lordships desire a simple reply, I will lordships desire a simple reply, I will answer without horns and without teeth. answer without horns and without teeth. Unless I am convinced by Scripture and Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason – I do not accept the plain reason – I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other – my they have contradicted each other – my conscience is captive to the Word of God. conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, for I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I cannot do nor safe. Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen.”otherwise. God help me. Amen.”

Dr. Rev. Martin LutherDr. Rev. Martin Luther

Charles V, bound by Charles V, bound by faith and politics to faith and politics to Roman interests, Roman interests, issued the Edict of issued the Edict of Worms, declaring Worms, declaring Luther an outlaw, Luther an outlaw, after the imperial after the imperial diet. The elector diet. The elector Frederick covertly Frederick covertly arranged to have arranged to have Luther taken to a Luther taken to a mountain fortress, mountain fortress, the Wartburg, on the Wartburg, on his return to his return to Wittenberg Wittenberg

In 1522, while in hiding In 1522, while in hiding Luther translated the Luther translated the New Testament from New Testament from Erasmus’ Greek into Erasmus’ Greek into the form of vernacular the form of vernacular German used today. German used today. Although Luther had Although Luther had been writing similar been writing similar material in Latin from material in Latin from 1513, this first decade 1513, this first decade of his works in German of his works in German was produced during was produced during the period of transition the period of transition from spat from spat Mittelhochdeutsch into Mittelhochdeutsch into fruh Neuhochdeutsch fruh Neuhochdeutsch as well as from as well as from Catholicism to Catholicism to Protestantism.Protestantism.

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• • Luther Luther continued to continued to write tracts write tracts against against religious religious enthusiasts enthusiasts and against and against the Peasant’s the Peasant’s Rebellion.Rebellion.

• • Entered a Entered a discussion discussion with Reformist with Reformist Erasmus.Erasmus.

• • Married Married Catherine von Catherine von Bora.Bora.

• • Diet of Diet of Augsburg, Augsburg, Charles V Charles V attempts to attempts to unite unite Catholics and Catholics and Lutherans Lutherans against against Ottomans by Ottomans by promoting promoting The The Compromise Compromise written by written by Phillip Phillip Melanchton Melanchton at the at the Marburg Marburg Colloquy. Colloquy. Instead the Instead the Protestants Protestants produce the produce the Augsburg Augsburg Confession. Confession.

• • The The complete complete German German Bible, New Bible, New Testament Testament and Old and Old Testament, is Testament, is publishedpublished

• • South South German German Protestants Protestants visit Luther, visit Luther, established the established the Wittenberg Wittenberg Concord. Concord.

• • Luther draws Luther draws up the up the testament later testament later to be known as to be known as the Articles of the Articles of Schmalkalden.Schmalkalden.

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• • Luther writes Luther writes three terrible three terrible anti-Semitic anti-Semitic tracts. tracts.

• • Luther’s last Luther’s last version of his Bible. version of his Bible. His mostHis mostmalicious tract malicious tract against the papacy: against the papacy: Depictions of the PopeDepictions of the Pope. .

• • Called to settle Called to settle the disputes of two the disputes of two German noblemen. German noblemen. On the return trip On the return trip he fell ill and died he fell ill and died at Eisleben, the at Eisleben, the town he was born, town he was born, on February 18, on February 18, 15461546

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Luther continued to write Luther continued to write tracts against religious tracts against religious enthusiasts and the enthusiasts and the Peasant Rebellion of 1524 - Peasant Rebellion of 1524 - 1525, a peasant revolution 1525, a peasant revolution stemming from his stemming from his misinterpreted attacks misinterpreted attacks against the Church, until against the Church, until he fell ill and died at he fell ill and died at Eisleben, the town he was Eisleben, the town he was born, on February 18, born, on February 18, 1546. Though Luther’s 1546. Though Luther’s works were influenced by works were influenced by his faith and trust in God’s his faith and trust in God’s forgiveness, they began the forgiveness, they began the Reformation of Germany Reformation of Germany and it’s sever from the and it’s sever from the Holy Roman Empire, the Holy Roman Empire, the creation of the Lutheran creation of the Lutheran and Protestant religions, and Protestant religions, and advocated political and advocated political influence.influence.