Luther's World

LUTHER’S WORLD

The History of a Man and a Movement

First Half of a Quick-and-Dirty Lutheranism Primer

Why Study Luther?

Most prolific extant author. More biographies than anyone save Christ. Protestant Reformation created the modern world. In a sense created “Roman Catholic” Church. Luther was a pastor before anything else. His teachings arose from real needs and crises. An incarnational faith takes heed of time, place, and culture.

The Early Church

The world’s first global religion, from Spain to Turkey, India to Egypt. Five Patriarchates of the imperial Church: Jerusalem, Alexandria, Antioch, Constantinople, Rome.

The Roman Church

Latin West, Greek East. Expelled from synagogues. 300 years of persecution. Spread through slaves, women, the poor—the dregs of Roman society. Major change with Constantine: from persecution to primacy.

Fall of the Empire

AD 476. Byzantium remains. Gemanic kingdoms model themselves on Rome. Franks rise in fifth century. Only the spiritual authority of Rome can unite the disparate tribes. Peregrines recatechize Europe.

Franks and Muslims

Three of five patriarchates fall to Islamic armies. Battle of Tours 732 saves the West. Charles Martel. Donation of Pepin. Charlemagne gains imperial crown at Christmas 800. Conquers Saxons, Lombards, Avars. Alcuin of York. Carolingian Renaissance.

Emperor and Pope

In the East, the Emperor is the highest spiritual authority. In the West, the Pope crowned the emperor. Who had spiritual and temporal authority? France was the first nation-state. Spain’s Reconquista. Germany and Italy a mishmash. Holy Roman Empire.

Young Luther

Born in Eiselben, 10 Nov 1481. Wealthy mother, father invested in copper mining. Martin was to be a lawyer, but a storm changed that. Augustinian monk.

Luther the Monk

God as judgmental father. Staupitz pushed him into academia, pointed him to Paul. Ordained a priest in 1507. Taught theology at Wittenburg. Doctorate by 1512.

Plenary Indulgence

St Peter’s Basilica! “When a coin in the coffer rings, a soul from Purgatory springs.” Luther is horrified, both pastorally and theologically. Salvation is the gift of God.

Reformation Begins

Allhallows’ Eve 1517. 95 Theses for disputation. Pope should use his own money, not that of poor Germans. In the footsteps of Franciscans and Dominicans, even Cathars. Moveable-type printing-press allowed his ideas to spread like wildfire.

Rome Responds

Pope Leo X goes easy, because he wants Elector Frederick the Wise as next Emperor. Cardinal Cajetan shuts down debate at Augsburg Diet. Two great theologians talking past each other! Luther denies infallible papal supremacy. Branded a Hussite in 1521.

Diet of Worms

Charles V elected: greatest power between Charlemagne in 800 and Napoleon in 1800. Luther promised safe passage, but that’s how they killed Hus. “Here I stand! I can do no other. God help me.” Single greatest moment in Western history? Luther now an outlaw, but he convinced the Scandinavians. He is “kidnapped” and carried off.

Exile at Wartburg

Luther, under Frederick’s protection, lives as “Junker Jorge.” Wrote furiously. Opportunity to become German George Washington—but refused a national church. Extremists resort to violence. Luther had to face Pope, Emperor, and Protestant fanatics.

Kiss Me, Kate

Luther denounces mandatory clerical celibacy. Marries a nun—rather, she marries him. Monasteries are good, but not a superior Christian life. Luther focuses on the family. Mother and father are “bishop and bishopess” of the home.

1524: The Peasants’ War

1526: New Masses in Latin and German

1528: The Small Catechism

1529: The Large Catechism

1545: Council of Trent opens

Death and Legacy

Dies in Eisleben, 18 February 1546, aged 62. “We are beggars; this is true.” Buried beneath pulpit of Castle Church in Wittenberg. 1555 Peace of Augsburg. “Cuius regio, eius religio.” Freedom of conscience and religion, separation of church and state.

Charles V left the imperial throne to his brother and the Spanish throne to his son. The former would face 30 Years War, the latter Good Queen Bess. 80 million Lutherans as of 2025, 110 million Anglicans, and anywhere from 0.6-1.1 billion Protestants total.

1999: Joint Declaration on Doctrine of Justification, affirmed by 75% of world Christians.