Martin Luther
Definition
Martin Luther was a German theologian who initiated the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. He challenged the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, particularly on issues like indulgences and papal authority.
Analogy
Think of Martin Luther as a rebellious teenager questioning his parents' rules. Just as this teenager might challenge established norms to seek truth or fairness, so did Luther question and challenge the established doctrines of the Catholic Church.
Related terms
Indulgences: These were payments made to the Catholic Church for reducing punishment for sins. It's like getting out of detention early by paying off your teacher.
Protestant Reformation: This was a major movement in Christianity where religious leaders like Martin Luther sought to reform practices they saw as corrupt within the Catholic Church. Imagine it as a group of employees staging a walkout because they're unhappy with company policies.
Lutheranism: This is a branch of Protestant Christianity that follows Martin Luther's teachings. Consider it as one team in an array of sports teams, each playing by slightly different rules but all under the umbrella term 'sports'.
"Martin Luther" appears in:
Subjects (2)
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Practice Questions (20+)
Which concept was central to Martin Luther's teachings and became a key belief of Protestantism?
Which of the following best describes Martin Luther's critique of the Catholic Church?
What was the primary reason for Martin Luther's criticism of the Catholic Church?
How might Europe's religious landscape be different had Martin Luther opted to reform within Catholic Church instead of leading a separate Protestant movement?
Which document was written by Martin Luther, marking the beginning of the Protestant Reformation?
What significant effect did Martin Luther’s “95 Theses” have over time given its point of view and purpose?
What ramifications could occur for European Christianity if Martin Luther hadn’t come across Erasmus’ Greek New Testament?
How did Martin Luther utilize print technology for his Reformation campaign?
How did the printing press impact the spread of Martin Luther's ideas in 16th century Europe?
How did Martin Luther's use of printing in the Reformation period reflect his understanding of its audience?
What limitation might be inherent in using Martin Luther's "95 Theses" as primary source material?
Who was primarily targeted by Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses during the Protestant Reformation?
How did Martin Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses contribute to political changes during the Reformation?
How did Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses affect the long-term religious landscape of Europe?
What is the major religious movement initiated by Martin Luther in the 16th century known as?
Who excommunicated Martin Luther from the Catholic Church following his refusal to recant his writings?
In which year did Martin Luther nail his Ninety-Five Theses to the church door in Wittenberg?
Who declared Martin Luther an outlaw following his refusal to recant his writings?
What change did Martin Luther promote regarding religious text during the Protestant Reformation?
How did Martin Luther's idea of 'priesthood of all believers' differ from that held by traditional Catholics?
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