Martin Luther, a teacher, preacher, priest and theologian, was, in my opinion, one of the most outstanding people in European history. He produced a great impact on the further development of Christian religion and European philosophy as well. He also contributed to the critical regard at a traditional holy Catholic Church which was considered to be an infallible representative of the almighty God. So, what did he do then? Actually, being a priest, to a certain extent by occasion, since in 1505 when a lightening stroke near to him and he promised to St. Anne to become a monk, as he stayed alive, I think that was one of the reasons why he was on the one hand so devout and on the other hand very critical in relation to the Roman Catholic Church. Martin Luther got a doctorate and began to teach theology but he didn't accept the papal policy and theology. He was shocked by the corruption within the Catholic Church and widely criticized the efficacy of indulgences particularly in his "95 Theses". As a result he was condemned and excommunicated but still he continued to develop his theological ideas. He denounced the authority of the Catholic Church and estimated that the only religious authority was the Bible and individual reason. His view on theology, bible and Christian religion in general was quite different from that of the Catholic Church. He found a new sense of the righteousness of God which he understood not as active righteousness, that is adjudged by God on the basis of humans works, but as passive righteousness that is received from God who makes sinners just. In short, he believed that salvation is a gift of God`s grace, received by faith in God`s promise to forgive sins for the sake of Christ`s death. Such views influenced his translation of the Bible and his criticism of Hebrew, James, Jude and Revelation. Thus, his life and work helped to develop new, alternative ideas concerning Christian theology and in further prospective his views served as the basis for Protestant movements in Europe and made people more critical to the Roman Catholic Church. It also contributed to the German Peasant Rebellion which, however, wasn`t supported by M. Luther. So, Martin Luther is a prominent figure whose role and ideas had to be thoroughly analyzed.

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