Germany Blog #3

Germany Blog #3

Martin Luther: “Reluctant Revolutionary”

Martin Luther is viewed as one of the most influential as well as controversial figures in the Reformation movement.  On October 31^st, 1517, Martin Luther nailed the Ninety-Five Theses to the chapel door to point out critiques.  The Ninety-Five Theses spread like wildfire throughout Germany, followed by the rest of Europe with the aid of the printing press.  After Martin Luther was excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church and was in hiding, he translated the Bible into the German language to allow ordinary individuals the opportunity and ability to read it as well.  He began organizing a new church called Lutheranism and in doing so gained numerous followers as well as the support from a couple German princes.  After Luther’s ideals spread, Protestantism swept across Germany, France, Netherlands, and Belgium. The results of Martin Luther’s actions hurt the Roman Catholic Church by splitting Europe religiously from Catholicism to Protestant. 

Portrait of Martin Luther

By writing the Ninety-Five Theses, Martin Luther was standing up for his beliefs, and when the revolution grew he continued to fight for what he believed in.  Over time, people backed Luther up and also stood up for him and what he created.  While writing the theses he never realized the impact it would have on all of Europe.  I think Martin Luther was extremely intelligent for using the printing press to spread his ideas throughout Europe.  This was a clever way to continue to get his message across to everyone who may never have been able to hear it otherwise.  Without the Ninety-Five Theses having been written and Protestantism not being created, many things in the world would have turned out differently.  Also without the help of Fredrick the Wise, Martin Luther would have most likely died at a much younger age and been unable to continue writing and spreading is beliefs.

Martin Luther nailing the Ninety-Five Theses

 



This was a very important time culturally by providing people with religious options and the freedom to follow their own beliefs.  At this time Catholic was the main form of religion in Europe but thanks to Luther another option was provided, Christianity.  I think he was extraordinarily brave and outspoken to point out flaws and the wrongness of the indulgences to make others further question things they never thought to before.  Martin Luther took a huge risk by speaking out and going against what everyone else believed in at the time.  Luther was also important to German-speaking lands because he translated the bible into German language, making it available to the common individual.  As well as everything else Luther was beyond intelligent and caring.  Although he was just one man, he created a change that impacted the entire world for the rest of time.

Bible translated in German by Martin Luther





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