Martin Luther: His Yin and Yang.
By: Cole Wheeler
Martin Luther: A Saint
What Makes Martin Luther a Saint?
Picture One
This picture demonstrates what Martin Luther's goal was during the Reformation, getting rid of the corruption in the church. Through his works on the theses and gaining followers, he was able to rid of the corruption he saw. This alone makes him a saint. A worldly power abusing the people and the name of what it stands for. Luther was not going to stand for that, and he freed the people from the corruption of the Pope and Church. Restoring the Church to its original state showed how much Martin Luther cared about the Catholic faith.
Picture Two
In this picture, it demonstrates another outcome of Martin Luther's efforts. During the period of time when he wrote his theses, the Catholic faith was the overseeing power. They wanted to make sure that it stayed that way no matter the costs. They created laws so that people couldn't explore other religions or believe in what they believed in. This caused the people to be bound by the Catholic Church. They were not able to explore the religions they wanted to. When Luther sparked the Reformation, this changed. New religions sprung up everywhere, because people were no longer bound by the power of the Catholic Church. They had religious freedom.
Picture Three
This picture represents indulgences that the Catholic Church was selling During Martin Luther's time. Indulgences were a paper you would buy for yourself or a loved one that would forgive sins or, if you were dead, would allow you to leave purgatory and go straight into heaven. In reality, these pieces of paper meant nothing from a holy aspect. They were just ways that the Church could make tons of money. They didn't have any value for the people, but the commoners didn't know that. Luther spread the message about the truth of indulgences. He showed the people that it wasn't so easy to forgive sins, and he showed them how to do it right. He gave the people a new sign of hope for going to heaven, and that is saint-like to me.
Martin Luther: A Sinner
What Makes Martin Luther a Sinner?
Picture One
In this picture, it shows what the Catholic church thought of Luther and the 95 theses. They Thought that he was going against the Church and all that they believed them, and they excommunicated him. It shows that Luther was not as devote to Catholicism as everyone thought as everyone thought. If he had the guts to challenge the Church, it shows how much he disagrees with the faith. He is opposing the Pope, and that alone is a massive sin. If the Pope is supposed to be the voice of God on earth, then Luther opposes God too.
Picture Two
In this picture it shows what Luther caused some people to do to the Catholic faith. His actions against the Church weakened their power on the people. It also caused the religion to look weak and fake after his theses was released. This caused people to think that the religion wasn't real, and turn away from it completely. To some people back then, faith was the only thing that kept them going, without faith, they were nothing. Luther caused the people to walk away from religion, and be mad at God.
Picture Three
In this picture it shows a map of European religion shortly after Luther. Before Luther, almost the entire map was Catholic religion, but as you look at it now, it's all different types of religion. This goes to show you how much of an impact Luther had on the Catholic Church. The amount of power that Luther took away from the Catholic faith was astounding, and that wasn't a good thing. He not only took away power from the Pope, but he took away power from God as well. God is a part of Catholicism, and if you take away Catholicism you take away God too. Taking away God is a major sin, so that makes Luther a sinner.
Citations
"Anti-Corruption-Suggestion-Box". Google Images. 22 Dec. 2015
"Asleep No More". Google Images. 22 Dec. 2015
"Loss, bereavement, grieving, and grief". Google Images. 22 Dec. 2015
"Martin Luther". Google Images. 22 Dec. 2015
"Religious Freedom Under Assault". Google Images. 22 Dec. 2015
"The Reformation". Google Images. 22 Dec. 2015