Luther's Three Pillars To The Doctrine Of God

Luther the Reformer: The Story of the Man and His Career by James M. Kittelson is a biography of the famous German monk turned theologian and reformer, Martin Luther. This is one of the most influential men in history, and as a matter of fact, “In most big libraries, books by and about Martin Luther occupy more shelf room than those concerned with any other human being except Jesus of Nazareth” (Kittelson 9). This fame of Luther’s isn’t only postmortem, “This extraordinary interest in an extraordinary man reaches back almost half a millennium. Even in his own time Luther was a ‘media personality’ the first of such in three thousand years of human history” (Kittelson 9). Luther was a subject of great controversy in his own time, as well as in our, and it has only driven his name and message into the spotlight. No matter or what one aligns himself with, “People still find themselves taking sides on the question of Luther” (Kittelson 9). It is for this reason that James M. Kittelson wrote this survey. He tells us that “The primary purpose of this book is to tell the story of Martin Luther to readers who are not specialists in the field of Luther studies” (Kittelson 10). This book is a general overview of all aspects of Luther, not just a precise dissection of one aspect, which allows for “as faithful a picture as possible of the whole man” (Kittelson 11).

First, Bainton’s lack of numbered footnotes makes it difficult to follow his supported arguments. However, this is attributed to the publishers. Since, according to Harbison, the publishers “committed the unpardonable sin of forcing the reader to count lines on a page in order to attach the references to the text.” Next, while Bainton capably articulates Luther’s struggle with being forgiven by God in chapter three, he fails to clarify “that the true doctrine of confession as taught by the Catholic Church in Luther's time and in our own, is that even though the penitent should forget some sins these sins are, none the less, forgiven.” However, to point out that Luther had misunderstood this part of doctrine does not change Luther’s revelation of justification by faith. Finally, Clancy, a writer for The Catholic Historical Review, points out minor error in Bainton’s translation and information. First, he contends that there is “no substantial foundation for translating Salve Regina as "Save O Queen.” Additionally, Clancy notes that Bainton is unfamiliar with the Roman Catholic prayer book by stating that while Bainton was “obligated to say matins, terce, none, vespers, and compline.” He should have added lauds, prime, and sext.” Lastly, Clancy points out that “St. Augustine was not the founder of Luther's order.” However, none of these minor errors negate Bainton’s

“Faith alone is the saving and efficacious use of the Word of God, according to Rom. 10{:9}” (16).

Martin Luther's "The Freedom of a Christian" discusses an in-depth look into the Christian faith, God's work in each individual. Refusing to believe in the established doctrine, Luther wrote this reforming treatise in response to Pope Leo's criticisms and to further explain the theological and ideological core of his thinking. Nevertheless, Luther centered his ideas around the concept that the joys and freedoms of a Christian were that in faith; humans, as sinners, should not look at ourselves, but instead at God's goodness. He goes on to elaborate that through the justification by faith, humans grasp the meaning of a whole Christian life. Throughout "The Freedom of a Christian", Luther expands on the threefold power of faith: faith frees

Prior to his new understanding of God’s righteousness Luther hated God because he did not know the love of God, he only knew the judging angry God. Luther did not understand how an angry God could be righteous. Consequently, Luther had been taught that, “God is righteous and punishes the unrighteous sinner”. As a result, he believed there was no way for sinners to be justified by God. Luther felt crushed by the Mosaic Law and threatened with God’s righteousness and wrath by the gospel. However, through his studies and meditations Luther came to understand the true meaning of the phrase “righteousness of God”. He described his new understanding to be “the righteousness of God is that by which the righteous lives by a gift of God, namely by faith.” In other words, the righteousness of God is a gift from God to those who live by faith. Accordingly, Luther felt born again. He found a new relationship with God and the Scriptures. In the light of his new views, Luther was conflicted by the Roman Catholic Church teachings on penance and righteousness. As a result, Luther developed his own doctrine of justification based on

Martin Luther wrestled over justification his whole life, it tore him apart and tore him away from the church. He set out to challenge the belief of the church at the time. He came to the opinion, from his study of the gospel and the early church, that justification comes from God’s gift of grace, that only must be accepted through faith.

Luther downplays the importance of "works" in the justification of man and instead emphasizes the place of faith and the grace that goes with it: "For the word of God cannot be received and honoured by any works,

These two conflicting statements can stand because in the sight of God apart from the spirit in one’s own powers nothing will be achieved. Luther is trying to convey in this section that apart from the spirit your works alone will not justify you. The spirit is opposed to the works of the law and apart from the spirit people are condemned. Luther not only uses Paul’s writings to build upon his case but by looking at the book of the law (Deuteronomy) and some of Christ sayings in John; Luther is attempting to show that his argument of works outside of the spirit is meaningless. He wishes for the readers to understand that apart from the spirit of God everything that a person does is condemned no matter the works of the law that are carried out.

-The church was saying that you needed to be saved and you needed Catholic priest to be directly involved in your path to salvation. Luther put emphasis on an individual’s personal relationship with God through Jesus.

Martin Luther was arguably one of the most important figures in the entire history of Christianity. If the creation of the Lutheran Church was not enough of an accomplishment, he can also be credited with orchestrating the division of the Catholic and Protestant churches. Even as a young Augustinian Monk Martin Luther was convinced the Catholic Church had lost its way. He obsessed over his purity and relationship with God, and strongly believed the Catholic Church had lost its way over the selling of “Indulgences”. Essentially, how the Church misinterpreted and taught the concepts of sin relative to temporal and eternal punishment. He was destined to confront the Catholic Church which he did and ultimately led to the separation events that are still highly relevant to this day. This was the primary driver for the first phase of his rebellion. The second was his German translation of the New Testament, which he used to both teach anyone to read and learn the holy book.

When you hear the word “faith,” what comes to your mind? Do you think of religion, purpose, or your belief in something?

Bainton’s Here I Stand is a chronologically arranged biography of Martin Luther’s life which seeks to show his philosophy and ideas for the reform of the Catholic Church without seeking to perform psychoanalysis of the Reformer.

Written in his theses was the debate and criticism of the Roman Catholic Church and the Pope. Luther concentrated upon the selling of indulgences, which are extra-sacrament remission of the temporal punishment due in God’s justice, to sin that has been forgiven, which remission is granted by the Church in the exercise of the power of the keys (Knight 1993, 2009) the indulgences replaced the severe penances of the early church. The theses also included the debate of doctrine policies about purgatory, judgment, devotion to Mary the Mother of Jesus, the intercession of and devotion to the saints and the authority of the Pope there are others that were not mention in this paper.

“Unless I am convinced by proofs from scriptures or by plain and clear reasons and arguments, I can and will not retract anything I have written, for it is neither safe nor wise to do anything against conscience. Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen.” Martin Luther stated these words in 1521 when he was asked whether he still believed what his works taught. The Protestant Reformation was a movement during the 16th century, which aimed to reform some beliefs and practices of the Roman Catholic Church. The reformation was led by a German monk named Martin Luther and was further modified by John Calvin, a French theologian and Henry VIII, the king of England. The ideas bought forward by these individuals started the Protestant Reformation, which triggered wars, prosecutions and the Counter-Reformation.

with his 95 Theses. A strict father who most likely did not accept “no” as an