R eform – it was Luther’s desire to purify or reform the Roman Catholic Church, not to split it.
E very believer a priest – this was one of the main teachings of the Reformation – that all had access to God through Christ alone.
F aith alone – ‘Sola Fide’ Inspired by passages like Romans 3:28, Luther claimed that salvation was only by faith- not works, sacrament, etc.
O ctober 31, 1517 – formal start of the Reformation (1517-1648)
R omans 1:18 – ‘a righteousness that is by faith from first to last. . . the just shall live by faith.’ One of the passages that deeply impacted Luther
M artin Luther – (1483-1546) – a German priest, professor, hymn writer (promoter of congregational singing), married to Katharina Von Bora (6 children)
A uthority of God’s Word- another key tenet of the Reformation
‘I cannot submit my faith either to the Pope or to the Councils, because it is clear as day that they have frequently erred and contradicted each other.
Unless, therefore, I am convinced by the testimony of Scripture. . . I cannot and will not retract. . . Here I stand, I can do no other. So help me God, Amen.’
T ranslating Bible into common languages – Martin Luther translated the Bible into German to give access to all people; coincided with Gutenberg Press invention.
(also translations were done in Dutch [1526], French [1528], Spanish [1569], Czech [1579-93]
I ndulgences – one of the main things Luther taught against (addressed in 95 Theses) – that you could somehow buy your way into heaven.
“As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs.”
O ther reformers – Calvin, Zwingli (Reformed), Menno Simmons (Anabaptist/later Mennonites) Knox (Presbyterian), Wycliffe, Hus (Anglican), etc.
N inety-five Theses – debated and criticized the Pope and the RC Church, but concentrated on the selling of indulgences and other church doctrine and practice.
