Martin Luther
Also called: Luther · Topic: Renaissance, Reformation and the Scientific Revolution · NCERT: Class 10, Ch 5 "Print Culture and the Modern World"; Class 11, Ch 3 "Changing Traditions"; Class 11, Ch 5 "Changing Cultural Traditions"
Meaning
Martin Luther (1483–1546) was a young German monk who began the Protestant Reformation. The Reformation was the 16th-century movement that split Western Christianity away from the Pope. In 1517 Luther attacked the sale of indulgences, which were Church pardons for sins sold for money. He taught that no priest is needed to reach God and that faith alone guides a person to the right life and to heaven. Print carried his ideas quickly across Europe, and he translated the Bible into German.
Example
In 1525 German peasants rose in revolt. They were inspired by radical reformers called Anabaptists, who wanted an end to all social oppression, including taxes. Luther opposed them and called on the German rulers to crush the uprising, which the rulers did that same year.
Don't confuse with
- Anabaptists: Luther wanted to reform religion but not to overturn society. The Anabaptists linked salvation with ending all social oppression.
Related concepts
- Christian humanism
- Thomas More
- Erasmus
- Indulgences
- Donation of Constantine
- Ninety-Five Theses
- Protestant Reformation
- John Calvin
- English Reformation
- Anglican Church