Martin Luther

Biography of Luther
• 1483-1546
• Earned Doctorate of Theology at University of Wittenberg
• Became Augustinian Monk in 1505
• Nailed '95 Theses' to the church door in 1517
• Excommunicated in 1521
• Lutheran Church established in 1530
• Published the Bible in German in 1534

Interpretation of Principal Beliefs

• Grace alone, faith alone, scripture alone
• Justification by grace through faith
• Bible is final authority
• Bible should be available in language of people
• Priesthood of all believers
• Baptism and Holy Communion only sacraments
• Sale of indulgences wrong

Contribution to Christianity
• Bible in the language of the people
• Saved people from being cheated by Catholic greed – indulgences
• Brought reform to the Church
• Used gifts to further belief – wrote sermons, hymns etc.

Impact of Life
• Protestantism
• Individuals can now read scripture without relying on priests
• Gave Christians freedom of public worship
• Political reform to UK, now Anglican not Catholic
• Same to Scandinavian countries who were now Lutheran

Secks Effix

Adultery
• Explicitly forbidden in Ten Commandments
• 1 Corinthians 6:18 says to “flee from sexual immorality”
• Jesus taught that to look upon a woman lustfully is the same as committing adultery
• Catholics teach that it is wrong but that is based on the Natural Law argument rather than on
scripture

Homosexuality
• Bible is clear that homosexuality is wrong (Leviticus 18; 1 Corinthians 6; Romans 1)
• Catholics reject on grounds of Natural Law
• Evangelical Protestants reject on grounds of scripture
• Uniting Church will ordain homosexuals
• Most Christians try to make the distinction between rejecting the practice of homosexuality
but accepting the individual homosexuals
Contraception
• Bible is not specific
• Catholics strongly against it on grounds of Natural Law
• Evangelical Protestants not worried by it because of lack of Scripture
• Conservative Protestants believe it should be more tightly controlled because it can
encourage sexual immorality

Marriage

Describe
• Structure varies between different Christian groups
• Catholics have Introductory Rites; Liturgy of the Word; Liturgy of Marriage; Liturgy of the
Eucharist (optional); Concluding Rites
• Protestant ceremonies follow a similar pattern but without the fancy names
• Include a message related to marriage, the vows, swapping of rings, prayers, and songs of
praise
• Reading from the Bible are common
• Wedding vows are based on Hebrews 13:5 “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake
you.”
• Usually performed in a Church building – more important to Catholic sacraments and stuff
• Marriage is a reflection of Christ's relationship with the Church (Ephesians 5:31-2)

Explain
• Sanctions a sexual relationship – go forth and multiply
• Remedy against sin and temptation to fornicate
• Provides model of help and comfort in times of hardship

Analyse
• Mark 10:6-9 “At the beginning of Creation, God made them male and female. For this
reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and the two will
become one flesh.”
• Symbolic as well as physical unity
• Apostle Paul encourages spouses not to deprive each other of intercourse lest they fall into
temptation
• Should be no need for any one else if there is always a readily available partner
• Representation of Christ's bond to the Church – a figure to lean on in times of hardship
• One flesh so they share all troubles etc.
• Sacrificial love