“The Holy Spirit, who is not acquired through breaking images or any other works, but only through the gospel and faith,” reflected the great Protestant reformer Martin Luther. Luther decided to learn more about God at a monastery when lightning almost struck him. Although the monastery was a great part of his life in helping him learn more about God and His word, the true life changing part of his life was when he was studying the scripture Romans 1:17. This change of beliefs led to issues due to the fact that the beliefs went against the ecclesiastical system that put much emphasis on works and the role of the church in salvation. This change of belief began the Protestant Reformation.
The three excerpts that are being analyzed all give a clear understanding on Luther’s beliefs and his reasons behind them and his reasons always point back to the Word of God. In Luther’s work, “Against the Heavenly Prophets in the Matter of Images and Sacraments (1525)”, he says, “They make faith depend on the letter”. It is obvious that “they” are the followers of Karlstadt and Karlstadt himself. Karlstadt’s beliefs are true to the Word of God, but as Luther made clear, they stay focused only on the Word, the outward …show more content…
Although Luther caused a lot of arguments, all he truly wanted was to spread Gods Word the way he thought it was meant to be interpreted. Though Luthers beliefs had only one main point—“justification by faith”, but because Luther did not think broader he lost the concept of the response to faith or the inward transformation. That is the very reason why the Pietism movement was known as the greatest, and not the Protestant Reformation. Though without Luther and his work, Phillip Spener, the Pietist leader, would not have been able to begin his work in the Pietism
The three excerpts that are being analyzed all give a clear understanding on Luther’s beliefs and his reasons behind them and his reasons always point back to the Word of God. In Luther’s work, “Against the Heavenly Prophets in the Matter of Images and Sacraments (1525)”, he says, “They make faith depend on the letter”. It is obvious that “they” are the followers of Karlstadt and Karlstadt himself. Karlstadt’s beliefs are true to the Word of God, but as Luther made clear, they stay focused only on the Word, the outward …show more content…
Although Luther caused a lot of arguments, all he truly wanted was to spread Gods Word the way he thought it was meant to be interpreted. Though Luthers beliefs had only one main point—“justification by faith”, but because Luther did not think broader he lost the concept of the response to faith or the inward transformation. That is the very reason why the Pietism movement was known as the greatest, and not the Protestant Reformation. Though without Luther and his work, Phillip Spener, the Pietist leader, would not have been able to begin his work in the Pietism