Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-24-2017
Abstract
"On Oct. 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of Germany’s Wittenberg Castle Church and inadvertently ushered in what came to be known as the Reformation.
In his theses, Luther explicitly attacked the Catholic Church’s lucrative practice of selling papal indulgences that promised individuals they could purchase absolution from their sins and hasten their way into heaven.
This was far more than a simple critique of the indulgence trade. Luther challenged the Church’s overall authority. Over the next century, Luther’s ideas seeded upheavals and transformed the Western world by diminishing the Church’s power and introducing new spiritual possibilities for everyone.
In researching our book, 'The Spiritual Virtuoso,' we found Luther’s personal life and spiritual practice played a key role in shaping his message and drawing enthusiastic support from ordinary people."
Recommended Citation
Goldman, Marion and Steven Pfaff. “Martin Luther’s spiritual practice was key to the success of the Reformation”, The Conversation 10/24/2017. http://theconversation.com/martin-luthers-spiritual-practice-was-key-to-the-success-of-the-reformation-83340
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Comments
This article was originally published in The Conversation in October 2017.