I absolutely agree, although he was not the first to call for reform, some may argue that the German mystics were early reformers, as well as John Huss, or even Savonrola, and many others who were more often than not used as firewood to keep the Roman Political Palace warm. By the time Luther came along, Wittenberg’s location, the printing press, and political pressure helped him avoid such a fiery ordeal, although that did not stop them from trying... By the time Luther came around the Gospel was of least importance to the Church as much as political power and survival from debt.
Originally posted by EingabenI'd forgotten about Jan Hus. What a war that was.
I absolutely agree, although he was not the first to call for reform
Luther was the Man of the Moment, it appears. I wonder how these Moments are arranged.
To me, historically, reformation-->protestantism-->materialism.
I found Luther to be quite a fascinating figure. Historically it's easy to overstate his importance - if it weren't for him the chances are it would have been somebody else. On the other hand, perhaps if it weren't for him the 'critical mass' of factors that had built up would have dissipated and history would look very different.
I think you're right to trace a certain line betwixt Luther and materialism, though only in an indirect sense: I'm sure the notion would have abhorred him. From a personal, non-Christian perspective, I regard him as one of the undisputable greats of history: he transformed (with help, of course, men seldom change history by themselves) Christianity to a much more palatable religious offering.
I haven't seen the film, but if he's portrayed as uncertain at times that certain fits with what I've studied of the man himself.
Originally posted by kingdanwakingdanwa,
Is there a certain teaching of Luther's that materialism springs out of?
perhaps he is referring to the fact that later Luther was more comfortable with the material (his view of the sacraments, keeping the worship traditions of Catholicism) than his radical reformation counterparts. To paraphrase Lewis: "God likes matter. He created it."
Those Crazy Anabaptists!
Originally posted by VillagerLuther would have been equally disgusted by the idea that he had "transformed" Christianity at all. Re-formation was the key idea for Luther, and others like him at the time.
I think you're right to trace a certain line betwixt Luther and materialism, though only in an indirect sense: I'm sure the notion would have abhorred him. From a personal, non-Christian perspective, I regard him as one of the undisputable greats of history: he transformed [...] Christianity to a much more palatable religious offering.