500 years on from Martin Luther

Posted on 09. Nov, 2017, in Christian Values, Church Teachings, CommunityComments Off on 500 years on from Martin Luther

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Luther Cover

This year is five hundred years on since the beginning of the Reformation. It was October 31st 1517 when Martin Luther first nailed his ninety-five Theses to the door of Wittenburg Church.  Fintan Lyons OSB recently wrote a book entitled, “Martin Luther – The Challenges Then and Now”. He talks about how Martin Luther was primarily worried about the abuse of indulgences – money requested by the Church to pay for salvation.

Martin Luther’s ninety-five Theses counter this with two central beliefs – that the Bible is the central religious authority and that humans may reach salvation only by their faith and not by their deeds. His writings sparked a profound revolution in the Church and lead to the formation of Protestant Churches.

Miriam Gormally discusses with Fintan Lyons OSB whether this was Martin Luther intentions. She also asked him whether some of the districts that took on his teachings were more pragmatic, simply wanting to avoid paying taxes and money to the Church.