To what extent was martin Luther responsible for the...

To what extent was Martin Luther responsible for the revolutionary Protestant reformation in Germany? In this essay, I will attempt to assess the extent of Martin Luthers role in the Protestant reformation that took place at the beginning of the sixteenth century in Germany. Luthers name is synonymous with the religious Reformation of the sixteenth century, or the evangelical movement as it is sometimes called, but the actual details of the Reformation itself are somewhat lesser known. Luthers role in the Reformation is well publicised, but his contribution to other areas of religious life is often forgotten. Luther reinvented the German language, making his sermons and later, the bible, accessible to thousands of German citizens,†¦show more content†¦People were angered by the flagrant abuses that persisted within the church. Corruption was also evident when the Catholic Church and its clergy set themselves superhuman standards and failed to live up to them. Although there was much respect for the papacy itself, latent within Luther up to a certain point as well, the preoccupation with money and materialistic objects led to a disconcerting level of distrust among the general population. In particular, the scandalous selling of Indulgences, originally only given to those who, in the Popes eyes, merited the prestigious awards, became commonplace at the end of the first decade in the sixteenth century. Indulgences supposedly guaranteed their purchasers a safe passage to heaven, and a shorter period of repose in purgatory, that limbo place between heaven and hell. As soon as coin in coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs. Luthers ninety-five theses gave a voice to the many people who held reservations about such practises. There was a feeling of indifference prevalent in pre-Reformation Germany, and it could be said that Luther capitalised on this. Peasants, shoemakers, blacksmiths, all awaited with baited breath for Luther to make his next move. However it had never been Luthers intention to lead a revolution, he wished simply that the papacy would recognise that faith played a determining role in achieving eternalShow MoreRelatedAge of Enlightenment and Century5169 Words   |  21 Pagesï » ¿ ADVANCED PLACEMENT ESSAY QUESTIONS RENAISSANCE 1. 77: To what extent and in what ways may the Renaissance be regarded as a turning point in the Western intellectual and cultural tradition? 2. 81: Compare the ways in which two works of art reproduced below express the artistic, philosophical and cultural values of their times. (Pictures of Michelangelo s David and Giacometti s Man Pointing 1947). 3. 82: CompareRead MoreJust Whatever1974 Words   |  8 Pageschild-rearing changed in the period from 1750-1900. B. Describe and analyze how overseas expansion by European states affected global trade and international relations from 1600 to 1715. C. Discuss the political and social consequences of the Protestant Reformation in the first half of the sixteenth century. D. How did new theories in physics and psychology in the period from 1900 to 1939 challenge existing ideas about the individual and society? E. Compare and contrast the French Jacobins’ use of stateRead MoreThe Essential Questions5521 Words   |  23 PagesRENAISSANCE How can the Renaissance be used as a springboard for defining modernity? With the Renaissance, the interest shifted to the earthly realm of nature. In some respects, this was a good thing: nature received a more proper place. From a biblical viewpoint nature is important because it has been created by God, and is not to be despised. The things of the body are not to be despised when compared with the soul. The things of beauty are important. Sexual things are not evil of themselvesRead MoreThe Effect of Crisis on Religion in Europe: Black Death vs. Wwii4285 Words   |  18 PagesCount: 3,133 Abstract This essay is a comparative analysis of the effect that two major crises in Europe had upon religion. Europe was a central hub for both the events of the Black Death, as the place where the devastation of the plague was most accurately documented, and World War II, as it was the main theater during the conflict. Both events are defining moments in history, with the Black Death holding the title of the worst biomedical disaster ever,2 and WorldRead MoreManagement Challenges for the 21st Century.Pdf60639 Words   |  243 Pageschallenges have indeed become â€Å"hot† issues are likely to fall behind, perhaps never to recover. This book is thus a Call for Action. These challenges are not arising out of today. THEY ARE DIFFERENT. In most cases they are at odds and incompatible with what is accepted and successful today. We live in a period of PROFOUND TRANSITION—and the changes are more radical perhaps than even those that ushered in the â€Å"Second Industrial v vi Introduction Revolution† of the middle of the 19th century