Martin Luther's Impact On Historical Christianity

Five hundred years ago on All Saint’s Eve in 1517 a man so displeased by the state of the church nailed his ninety-five protests to the door of the church in Wittenberg. Overnight, this monk from Germany had vocalized his beliefs in a very public manner that shook leaders and scholars alike. As a teacher, monk, and Reformation founder Luther’s desire was to be an honest and responsible Christian. With such a simplistic action, Martin Luther began a movement that he never intended to transpire. Historically to this point, the early church faced opposition; however, the protests from Luther would incite a multitude into what we know as the Reformation. Furthermore, the life and leadership of Martin Luther divided the church and changed the course of Christianity.
Before we embark on the journey into Luther’s impact upon historical Christianity, first we
He entered the monastery of the Augustinian Hermits and devoted his life to “prayer, fasting, and ascetic practices – going without sleep, enduring bone-chilling cold without a blanket, and flagellating himself.” During this time of study, Luther began to unwrap the word righteous to which he found troubling. From Romans 1:17 “For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.’” Luther began to understand that he could not live as righteous; in fact, no man could live in such a manner. Luther remarked, “I hated that word, ‘the righteousness of God,’ by which I had been taught according to the custom and use of all teachers ... [that] God is righteous and punishes the unrighteous sinner.” Recognizing his “spiritual struggles” the Abbott, Johann Von Staupitz transferred Luther to the monastery at Wittenberg. While at Wittenberg, Luther continued his studies in religion earning and “began his second set of degrees, taking another B.A. in