Martin Luther: A Brief History/impact on Western Civiliation

Martin Luther: A Brief History/Impact on Western Civiliation

Martin Luther was a man with a purpose. Born in 1483 in Eisleben, Martin Luther was a German Monk who started one of the greatest religious revolutions in the history of the Western world. Before discussing the impact of his revolution on the modern world, we must first establish some background information about the man and the Roman Catholic Church.

Martin Luther lived a tough childhood where he did not enjoy the customary joys that children have. In fact, on numerous counts, he was beat by his parents until, “the blood flowed.” (Ganns, 1910) On top of his parents, in his earliest school-days, he would be punished at least fifteen times in the mornings. “It was this harshness and severity of the life I led that forced me subsequently to run away to a monastery and become a monk.” (Ganns, 1910) This phase of his life is most likely one the founding reasons why Martin Luther, later in life, was so disgusted with the pain and suffering he saw in the lives of ordinary people. It would be one of his main motivations to change what was wrong.

Entering the Augustinian monastery after completing studies and receiving a bachelor’s and master’s at the University of Erfurt in 1505 (second among seventeen applicants), Luther lived a tranquil, happy life where his heart was at rest and his mind was undisturbed. Little did he know his life was soon to change into one of the greatest lives, ever lived.

The Roman Catholic Church, whose center was located in Rome, manifested all over Europe. It went beyond “geographic, racial, linguistic, and national boundaries.” (Perry, 2008) It was, in a way, like a disease that spread all over Europe, influencing every aspect of life, from society to culture. What Martin Luther slowly discovered on his mission to Rome was that in result of its expansion, the Church’s focus on wealth and power seemed to “take precedence over its commitment to the search of holiness in this world and salvation in the next.” (Perry, 2008)

Martin Luther wanted to change the church. He viewed God as a “wrathful judge who expected sinners to earn their own righteousness.” (Pelikan, 1980) Thus began the Lutheran revolt. It began with a simple public attack on indulgences. Few people at the scene would suspect that Martin would eventually divide Europe between religious boundaries. The start of Lutheranism included believing in your personal faith, instead of following the rules and regulations of the church. Martin taught the people that they were the ones whose actions decided their fate, not the words of the Roman Church, and definitely not indulgences. Martin believed that everyone should be able to read the bible and interpret it their own way. He didn’t believe that the people needed a clergy to translate the bible and be the mediator between them and God. Martin, not only