Martin Luther: Reluctant Revolutionary

Martin Luther

The video, Martin Luther: Reluctant Revolutionary gives the audience a look into the life of Martin Luther. He was a very influential figure in history. As a monk, Martin Luther saw problems within the Catholic Church and a need for reformation. Rather than just waiting for change to happen, Luther spoke out against the church. He stood up for what he believed in.

Luther's Ninety Five Theses

His Ninety-Five Theses first outlined his issues with the church in 1517. This was followed by more writings, which quickly circulated Europe with the help of the printing press. Of course the Pope was outraged with Luther and excommunicated him. When Luther was then called to appear before the Diet of Worms in 1521, he bravely refused to recant any of his writings because they were all true. Under the protection of Prince Frederick the Wise of Saxony, Luther was able to spark the Reformation.

Luther appears before the Diet of Worms

As quoted from the video, Martin Luther stated, “I decide to believe freely and to be a slave to the authority of no one, whether counsel, university, or pope. And I was bound not only to assert the truth but to defend it with my blood and death.” This is truly a remarkable statement for this time period. His strong belief in freedom was exemplary. He stood up to the authority of the church and the state and became a leader. Luther was a new kind of free thinker. He wanted to liberate mans’ relation with God, liberate the vision of salvation, free the people from oppression, and put an emphasis on the individual. His radical principles of religious freedom faced opposition, but also received support. The people of Germany found hope in his words and views. Traveling across the country to the Diet of Worms, Luther found he had gained more popularity than he had imagined. It was moving to see the support of the German people. A hope had been awakened in them, and now they were calling for reform too. Before long his ideals began to spread across the world.   

Martin Luther was successful as a cultural, religious, and political revolutionary. Although, I don’t think he meant to cause such a revolution initially. He just wanted to see change in the church and spoke out about it. Once the people were on board with his beliefs, a revolution was born. He gave people hope and a new thirst for freedom. For his efforts, Luther will forever go down in history as a great emancipator of humanity. I truly have a great respect for this man, as I too strongly believe in personal freedoms. In a time where he knew his beliefs could easily get him killed, Luther shared his vision of freedom. He stood up for his beliefs and changed the course of history. 

pictured here are Luther and others important to the Reformation

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