Martin Luther's Revolutionary Reformation

October 27, 2009
Martin Luther’s Revolutionary Reformation

Sixteenth century Europe was plagued with ecclesiastical corruption and church clergy who viewed themselves as world leaders rather than ordained members of the priesthood and ministers to their respective flocks. This brief period of history was plagued with in-fighting between the papacy, regional princes, and between the German empire and France. The Holy Catholic Church was seemingly oblivious, more likely ignored, the conditions that led up to the spawn of the reformation. It took years for the situation to be primed for reformation and the oppression of the Church by selling indulgences and seats in church leadership such as the positions of Bishop and priesthood. With these positions up for sale and the corruption of those in the positions, leaders who were highly educated and in positions of authority were needed in order make even the slightest reform in church doctrine and in the many corrupt church-states that existed throughout the west at the time. Martin Luther was one such catalyst. Through Luther’s discontent with the works based righteousness taught by the church and based on his own personal journey in faith and knowledge of God attained through his studies in seminary he finally came to a point in his life where the natural ebb and flow of life had to be interrupted by the greater pull of conscience and struggle for liberty and truth.

Martin Luther struggled with depression, disagreed with many aspects of the Roman Catholic Church and especially with even the idea of the papacy and the sale of indulgences as a fund raiser for church and to omit the sins of the buyer led him to the point that he fatefully posted his grievances that would unwittingly shake the very foundations of the modern world in terms of theology, ecclesiology and in government. Even with Martin Luther’s struggles, he led a reformation revolution and this was brought about by his past and present life experiences such as depression, his excellent education and his undeterred perseverance in the face of excommunication and persecution by Charles V.

Luther was a great man who was plagued by depression and what one psychiatrist diagnosed as psychotic and who’s “…psychosis runs through his whole life like a red thread (Lohse 26).” Luther grew up in a very traditional home that adhered to church doctrine and where discipline was strictly enforced and “beatings” were regular and par for the course. His upbringing and parentage played a major role in the development of his worldview and demeanor when dealing with the various regional and papal aristocrats. As a result he strictly adhered to the scriptures and sought to decipher their true meaning by educating himself and by having a conviction that all people should be able to read the Holy Scriptures in their own tongue and not be forced to hear a biased doctrine as interpreted by the priests of the church who strictly forbade the translation of the scriptures into the modern vulgate.
Luther was a strong-willed and devout Christian. His beliefs spawned a widespread reformation and caused controversy, condemnation and conflict across the European continent.

The controversies of the sixteenth century dealt with a wide variety of questions. For example, a controversy might begin by dealing with certain abuses in the church. This would soon lead to an attack on the authority of the pope and the church. …only a few questions were finally at issue. These central questions were the authority and understanding of the Holy Scriptures. It was the understanding of Scripture that was at stake between Luther and Rome...(Lohse 40-41)
Even with the hardships that Luther had to endure as a result of his stand against the Church and papacy, he stood strong against what he believes were the corruptions of the church. In 1517 Luther posted his 95 theses on the door of the castle at Wittenberg. This was a bold statement that eventually led to his excommunication but bluntly and effectively put his disgust with indulgences out there for the world to see. His inspiration was clear and his beliefs made vocal in ways that undoubtedly speak volumes of his education and mastery of oratorical and biblical knowledge.

Eric Gritsch wrote:
Luther attacked the abuse of indulgence sales in sermons, in counseling sessions, and, finally, in the Ninety-Five Theses, which rang out the revolutionary theme of the Reformation: "When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, 'Repent,' He willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance."
It is clear to see that Luther was very passionate about his beliefs and exposing the malfeasance of the church all the way to the pontiff. Theological and doctrinal passion ruled Luther and every move that he made in his life after that history turning event of the posting of the 95 thesis. Again Gritsch wrote:
The Ninety-Five Theses were the straw that broke the Catholic camel's back. When Luther was asked later why he had done what he did, he answered, "I never wanted to do it, but was forced into it when I had to become a Doctor of Holy Scripture against my will." Though condemned by church and state, Luther survived the attempts to burn him as a heretic.
Even as determined as he was to get his message out, he was known as a gentleman and was not easily riled as he was very intelligent and quick to come back with biblically based answers.

Amey wrote:
His knowledge and understanding of the Holy Scriptures is unparalleled. He has the Word of God at his fingers’ ends. Besides this he possesses a great store of arguments and ideas…In conversation he is pleasing and affable. There is nothing harsh or austere about him; he can accommodate himself to everyone (26).

Luther was therefore seen as theologian and gentleman even in the face of oppression or persecution. Charles V declared Luther a heretic and even at that, Luther, who went into hiding, fought back not with armies of thousands but rather with his intelligence and the spoken and written word based upon his thorough knowledge of scripture.

Luther was indeed the source of many conflicts. He did spawn one of the greatest reformations of religion and government of all times. However, it was not out of malice that he did these things but rather concern for his fellow man and their own spiritual well being. Luther wanted the world to know what he believed and as a result, he translated the entire Bible into German in an effort “so that all may know for themselves…(Amey 12).” He was so humble in regards to the reformation church that:
Luther did not set himself up as a new pope. He left it to each prince in his own land to make sure the Church was properly run. He was willing to see it break up into many parts as long as each man could follow his own conscience guided by the Bible (Amey 12).

Martin Luther truly did lead a reformation revolution that was promulgated by his life experiences, his excellent education and his undeterred perseverance in the face of oppression and persecution. This revolutionary leader not only changed the face of Christendom permanently, he changed the world and the role that government plays in religious freedom and tolerance. He did live over five centuries ago, however he still has lessons all should cling to in this age of uncertainty. His belief that government should not be run by the state and that the state should not run religion are facets of thought that in this modern age we still struggle with. Whether in the United States, Iran, or anywhere else, men and women should be able to seek God in their own way or not to at all; not being forced either way so as to have true liberty in religion, thought and life.



Sources Cited

Amey, Peter. Luther, Erasmus and Loyola. St. Paul, MN: Greenhaven, 1980.
Gritsch, Eric W. Luther Posts the 95 Theses. Christian History 1990 Vol. 9 Issue 4:35. Academic Search Complete. EBSCOHost. University of West Georgia, Carrollton, GA. 26 Apr 2008.
Lohse, Bernard. Martin Luther: An Introduction to His Life and Work. Philadelphia : Fortress Press, 1986.