Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation

The Reformation

To understand the precipitous that spread Martin Luther’s ideas, it is important to see what some of the surrounding circumstances were, prior to 1517, and the kind of role the Catholic Church played in Medieval society. “To be sure, October 31, 1517 would be the first hint the Western world would be turned upside down.” [1]

While tremendous pressures were placed upon the parishioners of the Catholic Church, surrounding the 1400’s and particularly the 1500’s—power, domination and rules pervaded the expectations of the clergy, papacy and people. No longer did it feel secure or benign to be in the church as a place of peace, comfort, or safety. The Protestant Reformation, while critically assessing its strengths and weaknesses had issues with authority.

Right before the fall of the Roman Empire, Catholicism filled a large vacuum—for at least a millennium. It was a period of institutional domination throughout the continent of Europe. While the authority of the Catholic Church was at times jeopardized—rituals and teachings became deeply embedded in the spiritual followers of Europe. The combination of the pressure and overextension of authority and bureaucratic politics began to wear on its congregants.

There was great corruption within the infrastructure of the Catholic Church and its constituents. One such issue was addressed by Luther in one of his ninety-five theses. Luther targeted the doctrine of indulgences--which taught that a believer’s journey and path to Salvation wasn’t contingent upon worldly works and actions. “As Luther lectured on the Bible, his concept of righteousness demanded that no man could achieve it without God granting the grace to do so.” [2]

Martin Luther’s original intention was to try to change the Catholic Church from the inside. The 95 theses that were posted and translated that day in 1517 sparked a blaze as large as a forest fire that completely consumed the entirety of Europe. the church as a place of peace, comfort, or safety. The Protestant Reformation, while critically assessing its strengths and weaknesses had issues with authority.

A Dominican Friar by the name of Johann Tetzel, who was also a papal in charge of indulgences went to Germany to raise money for St. Peter’s Basilica in 1516. This event is in part what triggered Martin Luther to post his 95 theses to protest indulgences which were abuses by the Catholic Church. Not only did Luther post a copy of his theses on the door at the church in Wittenberg, they were quickly translated from German to Latin. His theses were subsequently sent all the way across Europe; sparking the Protestant Reformation.

Martin Luther’s original intention was to try to change the Catholic Church from the inside. The 95 theses that were posted and translated that day in 1517 sparked a blaze as large as a forest fire that completely consumed the entirety of Europe.

Part of the problem with the church was that it had taken upon itself too much authority in the lives of the Roman Catholics. Luther gave voice to the issue of authority and the ability for one to determine their own interpretation of scripture along with rituals and worship. Luther gave voice to the idea that it was by “faith alone” and scripture that one could find a healthy relationship with God in a personal and intimate fashion.

Luther emphasized that it was important to have a personal relationship with God and this relationship should be nurtured by faith; with no greater authority other than scripture in the Bible. No longer would the practice of rituals, or dogma bring about a safe spiritual

haven or assurance of an afterlife. Each person would be found responsible for their own spiritual well-being—to be worked out in their unique personal relationship with God through faith and scriptural inspiration.

A combination of the economy, social and cultural factors began to contribute to Martin Luther’s ideas that began to spread and take root in European society like wild fire. There were also considerations in the Catholic Church that lended to the desire to overthrow the supreme papal authority of the church. With the invention of the printing press and many Protestant proselytizer volunteers; pamphlets and leaflets could carry these messages throughout Europe.

Authority of the Catholic Church

Christians had been under the rule and authority of the Catholic Church for about 1,000 years. They followed the observance of the sacraments and regularly confessed their sins to a priest. They even prayed to saints and made financial donations when they were told; participating in what was referred to as “Indulgences.” These indulgences were decided by the clergy and would determine the individuals' penance for a place in heaven. The thought was that good “works” would pave the way to heaven.

The pope’s word over the Catholic Church was sovereign as the spiritual leader. His doctrinal viewpoints were considered final. Although parts of Europe were populated by small German cities, known as the Holy Roman empire, the power of Kings was increasing in most of Western Europe. The Pope attempted to enforce his authority over them, but the Germans were independent and resisted.

To acquire wealth and spread power, the Catholic Church became a powerful political and military machine in Western Europe. The papacy took advantage of this power to promote their agenda to expand the church and acquire wealth. Some Catholic kings could protect their people from these mechanisms, but the Germans felt these rulers were weak and ineffective; they also felt the church took complete advantage of them. The Germans complained about these injustices bitterly. They were tired of the taxes, tithes, indulgences and unending church fees they were told they had to pay.

If they didn’t pay these debts, they were threatened with excommunication. They would not be allowed to participate in the sacraments and good works that would ensure their Salvation. They were terrified at this prospect. It seemed the Papacy was more concerned with their own wealth and privilege and not the spiritual needs of the people.

Few people had the courage to speak against the Catholic Church. The threat of excommunication or being burned at the stake was real and terrifying. The courage of one man in 1517 was to forever change the course of European history and the world. This obscure German Monk who was a university professor wrote 95 theses to challenge the authority and doctrine of the Catholic church. This man was Martin Luther. “One of the things the political aspect of the Reformation did was make it necessary for Protestant theology to be expressed in a public way .” [4]

By 1521, Pope Leo wanted to excommunicate Luther. He had already become a hero to so many that it gave him courage and boldness to persevere. Luther appeared before a German noble who was only 20-years old to defend his viewpoints at the “Diet of Worms.” The main concern the emperor had was for Luther to renounce his heresy. All the pamphlets, leaflets and information he’d written prior to this were presented before him.

He powerfully defended his viewpoints and presented a very well-reasoned defense. He was declared a heretic and an outlaw of the Roman empire. Luther was rescued by Frederick Wise who kept him in hiding for a year. This was another opportunity for Luther to focus on publishing and writing more sermons and Protestant hymns. He also translated the New Testament into German so even a lay person could read and understand the Word of God for himself.

Worship and the Reformation

During the sixteenth century and the Protestant Reformation, it was easy to distinguish the difference between Roman Catholic worship and Protestant worship. It was the belief that hymns should be sung without any kind of ceremonial gestures or acts. “An enduring choral tradition became established as a hallmark of the Reformation. One of the key motivations that placed music

at the center of worship was the great affinity Martin Luther had for music.” [5]

Only hymns taken from a scriptural source and sung with little else. The ceremonial pageantry that Catholicism represented was not allowed. Rather, it was important to allow the presence of God to take over and take precedence. Some of the Anglican and Lutheran churches kept the practice of lighting candles during worship services, but the intent was to take the focus away from external symbols to focus on a fixed order of worship with prayer books. John Calvin introduced special prayers for public worship for leaders who were not as accomplished in public ministry. John Calvin desired to have a weekly practice of observing the Lord’s Supper, although he couldn’t convince the Geneva magistrate to allow this. Calvin was eventually able to orchestrate a weekly taking of the communion.

Reformed worship introduced the practice of congregational songs. No longer were congregants just onlookers or bystanders during a church service. They were able to participate in the worship of God altogether as one body in the church. This was a significant shift which instantly replaced the timeless practice of the Catholic Church.

There was somewhat of a divide in some of the reformed churches over this new concept of a congregation participating in worship and prayers together. There were arguments over whether the state had the right to impose what a minister or church leader should do or say during a worship service. Reformed churches eventually became famous for singing only Psalms during the church service. The complete separation of church and state didn’t happen until the eighteenth century in Europe and North America.

Salvation

The Doctrine of Justification was one of the most historically significant developments which came at a time where there was intense theological transition. [6] Martin Luther espoused his message that justification would come by faith alone and not indulgences or good works that could be purchased. In fact, Salvation could not be purchased and was not up for sale. These concepts would take time; in fact, several decades to bring Protestant insights to a place of refinement. [7]

There were three main principles that marked the new reformed Protestant theology; the priesthood of Christ belonged to the individual believer and justification was by faith alone and the sole authority was scripture. The new Protestant theology taught that the Bible has everything in its contents to teach all that is necessary to find, and keep Salvation in Jesus Christ. “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation through faith which is in

Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:16, NIV) Another scripture that the Reformers turned to “Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth.” (John 17:17, NIV)

The importance of the distinction between works and faith came with the Doctrine of Justification. “Biel in Oberman’s work shows that justification must be appropriated with grace to be used in conjunction with the doctrine of predestination.” [8] “The immutability of God guaranteed a set number of elect which would be counted as the express will of God relating to salvation and justification.” [9]

The Reformers believed it was by faith alone that believers are justified before the Lord which also includes Salvation. This has nothing to do with any works; through penance or indulgences and financial payments—it is strictly through faith, belief and acceptance of Jesus Christ into a believer’s life. “Martin Luther’s critical awareness of the sinful ways of our fallen flesh led him to emphasize the sanctification of the resurrected body of Christ and the forgiveness of sins.” [10]

The Reformers also embraced the concept of grace which called the believer back to the basic teaching of scripture. The Apostle Paul shares a significant scripture in Ephesians that ties this together. “For by grace are you saved through faith—and that not of yourselves—it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV)

Strengths and Weaknesses of the Reformation

When considering strengths and weaknesses of the Reformation, one can arrive at the place where they must be weighed together because it involves our strengths and weaknesses together as one body of Christ—and one ecclesia. That said, the strengths we carry individually are also the strengths of the church because we are the church together. Martin Luther had great academic and theological gifts to bring to the Protestant Reformation—coupled with the ability to convey truths through writing. He carried a

boldness and determination to proselytize to whomever would listen. The strength of the Reformation came to blast away the ungodliness and worldliness that had taken over in the Catholic Church. As never before, the enemy of Christians were trying to eat away the fabric of the structure and truth of the church. With the coming of the Reformation—the world spirit and its appetite for power and financial gain began to be torn apart.

The church today has all but forgotten its reformed inheritance and taken it for granted. The strength of the sermons preached during the Reformation should still be the strength of the sermons preached today.

What was considered a weakness prior to the Reformation and during the Reformation was a lack of knowledge. This quickly changed, especially with the invention of the printing press which spread the truth like lightning speed across Europe. The Reformers were encouraged to seek a holy life; and that meant to a certain extent a dissolution of materiality and to forsake worldly or sinful pleasures. To not make the gospel a social gospel but a spiritual one. Homes and schools were created to emphasize the timeless truths of the Bible and should still do so today.

John Calvin who had much in common with Luther in terms of theology, felt there was a pervading arrogance that would take over the nature of Luther’s character from time to time. He was known to exhibit haughty and abusive language and to have insolent fury. He was also criticized for having a careless way of expressing the historical context of the Reformation. However, this could have been viewed differently by the followers of Luther who saw he continuously emphasized how prone to legalism people were. When people attempted to take over and interpret their own understanding of God’s law, a form of legalism caused scripture to be perverted into man’s agenda.

Martin Luther had the ability to preach the truth of the Gospel with an uncompromising stance that eventually warranted the religious freedoms that the Roman Catholics in Europe had been desperate to have. No longer would individuals be in bondage to the creeds, and rules of the Roman Catholic Church and papacy. Although many of these transitions took time, there was a theological revolution that erupted like a volcano that was unstoppable in the history of Europe and to this day our modern world.

References

[4] HTH-511 Grand Canyon University. (2015). Lecture Notes, Topic 4.

[5] Lowe, J. Andreas.Why do Lutherans sing? Lutherans, music, and the Gospel in the first century of the Reformation. Church History, 82 no 1 Mar 2013, p 69-89.

[8] [9] Oberman, Heiko. (2001), The Harvest of Medieval Theology: Gabriel Biel and Late Medieval Nominalism. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.

[10] Rinehart, L. Sola Fide: The Mystery of Salvation by Faith. Journal of Ecumenical Studies, 49 no 4 Fall 2014, p 577-600.

[1] [2] [3] [6] [7] Woodbridge, John, and Frank A. James, III. (2013). Church History, Volume Two: From Pre-Reformation to the Present Day: The Rise and Growth of the Church in Its Cultural, Intellectual, and Political (2nd ed.). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.