Martin Luther: Religious Reformationist
By: Lauren Ritchie
Martin Luther was a man who wanted to serve God with all he had, baptized a Catholic at birth set him on a journey that made him consider all the possibilities and even question what he was taught as a child. Both parents being devoted Catholics had high expectations for him. When he went off to school He learned what he was taught and even went beyond the class room once he was able to understand the Fundamentals, the Doctrine of the Church anything else a person can learn as a Catholic, in his quest he became a Catholic Priest, now keep in mind he studied for many years, we can鈥檛 even ponder in our minds what he had to learn in order to be prepared to teach and counsel and even hear one鈥檚 confession. We think of a lot of things when it comes to the word PRIEST. However when Martin Luther kept being educated, he decided he was going to write literature that could change way people think, he wanted it to be a good thing even if it did get top honors he was happy he could betray the ways of the Catholic Church, A piece of literature that comes to mind is the 95 Theses. In this he wrote this hoping everyone and anyone would read it and cite with him, once it got to the Pope in his time, there was much objection to his writing, and when Martin retaliated the Pope would not hear of it. He told Martin Luther that the rules of the church were as they stand and if Martin could not abide by them that he would be in serious trouble.
Wouldn鈥檛 you know Martin kept pursuing the thoughts of how he felt about the Catholic Church, especially everything he was taught he did not seem to agree with it all. He felt that certain rules should not have to apply when not necessary. In this effort he disregarded what the Pope had said to him, and him kept spreading the material he had written, hoping those he knew even those with same vocation as himself or higher could convince the Pope to make some changes. However in his time as a Priest he did whatever it took even push the envelop and it cost him dearly, the Pope got word, and he was immediately excommunicated for not following orders, and he would go on trial for his writings and his theology on the subject had, those who knew Martin Luther, tried to petition on his behalf but his 95 Theses and other writings we subjected to much scrutiny. On trial before his peers Martin Luther tried in everyway possible to show his writings were beneficial, but it turns out they were disregarded and Martin was banned. He had been asked to do lectures before this ban occurred, because he knew much of what he was writing and what he had study before and after the Priesthood. He wanted to be influential but it was not enough to convince the Pope.
Martin Luther decided if he could not portray what was right and wrong as the far as the Doctrine of the Church goes, then he would start a reformation where most of the rules and regulations of the church did not apply. He wanted be able to worship, so kept writing and giving lectures not just based on his intelligence but on his feeling. He portrayed anything that might help others understand, especially to keep going to church if they even had to follow him. During the reformation he wrote Biblical Literature based on the Ten Commandments and other Prayers of the Catholic faith which he was no longer apart of. He used this and other materials to create and form the Lutheran Church ( hence the word Lutheran -an = Luther)
He made changes to the liturgy, even the Mass, (kept these a bit similar to the Catholic Church) and how others confess. He thought that we as humans despite our mistakes and sins we commit do not require confession before a priest, that one could pray to God to forgive them. Martin Luther showed those who were faithful they did not have to compromise much. It might be said he wanted to make the religious community simpler, was not about simplicity, It was about understanding Gods Word and continuing to do his WILL. Martin did not want to change people鈥檚 minds but he also had to alter himself and his teaching. The first reason for the Reformation was to get back at the Catholic Church for not agreeing with him, but later on it was more apparent of the changes that should have been made, and he knew it was up to him if he wanted to make changes. I don鈥檛 personally think Martin Luther wanted to show anyone up, but his problems only got bigger when he did not get his way in the Catholic Church.
At one point in his life he became a monk, committing himself to prayer and fasting, but it did not turn out so well, and it was putting pressure on him to become someone he knew he could not be. He was sent away from the Monastery to pursue a career. Martin did not want to do it but he knew it would kill him if did not get his mind into better things. Martin had to have been sure that God would only give him what he could handle. I believe Martin wanted the importance of his
How do you Catholics and Other Religious People Feel About This Article, What Do you Think?
First, a lot of run-on sentences and poor construction. Incorrect uses of capitalization and punctuation Also, your thoughts don't run in a coherant manner, nor in any sort of logical order. If you are going to discuss Luther's life, at least put it in chronological order. It will be much easier to follow and make much more sense. You have some good thoughts, but they good lost in the mess.
Born a Catholic
Sent to Law school
Trapped in a storm
Became a monk, then a priest.
Asked to teach at the seminaries
Saw issues within the church
Tried to get them changed
Was willing to recant if the church could prove him wrong using scripture
Excommunicated
Did NOT start a new denomination in order to get back at the Pope. (That is a load of nonsense, not sure where you got that!) Started it as a response to his excommunication and originally was known as Evangelical Catholicism. Did not want it to be Lutheran.
How do you Catholics and Other Religious People Feel About This Article, What Do you Think?
Thew above answer is correct, but I would like to further correct a couple of misconceptions you have:
Martin Luther did NOT abolish confession before a pastor/priest. Even today, the Lutheran liturgy contains a general confession of sins with absolution by the presiding pastor. Private confession is also available for those who desire it. Lutheran teaching on this subject is in many ways similar to Catholic teaching.
Luther, and the other Lutheran Reformers, had NO intention of starting a new Church or denomination. Rather, they considered themselves to be faithful Catholics, and wished only to rid the Catholic Church of abuses, scandals, and superstitious teachings which had arisen during the Dark Ages. They also wanted to make sure that the Church reflected the teachings of the Bible. Lutherans and Catholics tried for decades to 'iron out' their differences, but were ultimately unsuccessful, as much from secular political reasons as differences in theology.
