Role of Martin Luther in the Protestant Reformation

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Role of Martin Luther in the Protestant Reformation

From history, Christian doctrines have never been fixed or stable. They have undergone tremendous changes over time. Upon the establishment of a doctrine or practice, it called for a subsequent doctrine to explain its meaning and elucidate the understated nuances. The Christian doctrine and practice has evolved from medieval Christian theology all through to Western theology, to renaissance and reformation, to counter-reformation, to revivalism, to the Restoration Movement, to the modern Christian theology. Generally, lived experiences have been the basis on which Christian doctrine and practice is being formed and reformed (Marshall, Kevin, and Stanley 78).

Mysticism involves circumstances in which people experience very personal touch with God. Some mystics experienced by early doctrine setters like St. Benedict and Simeon Stylites categorically reject the corruption, authority, and wealth of the Catholic Church. While some early saints were more inclined to mysticism, others took the scholastic route to connect with the creator in overcoming much of disputes in the church. In the present church, people are divided between mysticism and scholasticism. Some believe God can only be experienced on personal basis and thus avoid indulging in literature to know Him. On the contrary, the present scholastics believe studying theology is the only way drive a personal encounter with God. Therefore, today, Christians are divided between mysticism and scholasticism (Cunningham, Conor, and Peter 277).Martin Luther’s mission was not about starting his own religion. However, he was unhappy with the corruption and abuse of indulgences. He believed the forgiveness of sins could not be bought with cash. Luther’s role in the Protestant Reformation was to force the church to allow Christians domination through free thinking. He demanded that the church should follow the people and not the contrary. In his 95 theses, Martin Luther advised that preachers should marry and bear children, and rejected the seven sacraments and such rituals as the rosary, saints, and veneration of Mary (Marshall, Kevin, and Stanley 94).