Discussion Board
Martin Luther is one of the most famous personalities of the Reformation. Though the well-known “95 Theses” were placed on the church doors in Wittenberg as a means of a dialogue with the clergy, they had a significant influence on the history of the church as well as on development of the individual identity. In Disputation of Doctor Martin Luther on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences, Luther criticizes one of the common attributes of the church of the 15th and 16th centuries – the indulgences, or the documents, sold by clergymen, which allowed buying the penance. He writes that “the penalty [of sin], therefore, continues so long as hatred of self continues” (Luther 2). Therefore, the forgiveness can be given by God, and those who buy indulgences make a mistake. The author also points out that “the greater part of the people are deceived by that indiscriminate and highsounding promise of release” (3). Thus, Luther talks about the violations of the natural right of the poor, who should be able to achieve heaven or purgatory as well as the rich. This critique was considered to be a threat for the power of the Catholic Church, as most of the clergy lived the lives full of luxury and excesses. In the Theses Luther criticizes not only the indulgences but also the discrimination. In those times people did not have access to Scriptures as they were written in Latin, and Church was the only mediator between them and their faith. Furthermore, in A treatise on Good Works, Luther argues against the Church understanding of the institution of faith: “Without doubt faith does not come from your works or merit, but alone from Jesus Christ, and is freely promised and given” (11). This means that the salvation can be achieved by faith and not with the help of deeds. The Protestant Reformation was built around these works, because they allowed more freedom for people and the opportunities for development, which were hindered by the Church dogmas. The period of Reformation itself influenced the identity of an individual as it broadened the mind of people leaving place for different views on the Church and thus modified the Medieval worldview.
Classmate 1
Indeed, Luther used Biblical evidence in order to prove that faith is more important for the Christians than deeds. With this thesis he expressed his respect to those worked physically hard for their earnings. His works refer to the dignity such people should feel for their lives with the faith in their hearts. Moreover, I agree that quotes from the Bible and their interpretation by Luther served a strong support in his dialogue with clergy. The response also points out at the notion of free will, mentioned by Luther. This indicates possibility of the changes in the individual identity, which was previously suppressed by the collectivism of the Church.
Classmate 2
Yes, it is true that the Luther’s disagreement was based on the issue of indulgences and the support of the central role of the Bible in the creation of faith. The idea of “faith alone” expressed by Martin Luther as well as his strong critique to the possibility of buying penances are considered to be the catalyzers of the Protestant Information. The author also points out on the Luther’s identity to highlight the role of one particular person in the history. I agree that he truly believed in his way of interpreting the Christian faith.
