Martin Luther's name is an influential one in history, and I wanted to learn more about this historical figure and understand his views about the world. However, I also had concerns about studying him further, as I was worried it might lead to bias in my understanding of religious aspects. This bias could potentially affect my perspective on people with religious views. Deciding how to approach the study of Luther's life and works became a mental dilemma I needed to resolve.
During the class break in October 2023, I came across a documentary in my YouTube feed, coincidentally about Martin Luther. The documentary's appealing thumbnail and its substantial runtime of over an hour piqued my curiosity. I decided to watch it, and below, I'll share my reflections and insights gained from this documentary.
Seeds of discontent
The initial part of the documentary explores the Christian religious landscape before Martin Luther's rise to prominence. According to the documentary, there were already individuals in Europe who harbored dissatisfaction with the Roman Church's religious system. They expressed their grievances regarding the poorly managed state of the medieval Roman Church. This mismanagement was primarily due to the Church's entanglement in political affairs, as it became a tool for those seeking power within their societies. The documentary prominently features the term "False Promise," indicating the Church's shift towards manipulation for self-serving interests. This underscores the Church's strong political influence during the medieval era and the Age of Exploration. The Church held sway over people's decision-making and values in Europe, and its beliefs were unquestioningly accepted.
The documentary also introduces the Haywain Triptych painting, offering an interpretation of European societies from a religious perspective. I perceived it as a religious interpretation, recognizing that a non-Christian perspective might yield a different interpretation. Nevertheless, the painting vividly illustrates the structured religious life in Europe, evoking thoughts about its potential impact on social mobility. Contemplating this painting raises further questions.
Political and Economic Church (A Worldly Church)
The documentary portrays a Church where people are susceptible to corrupt practices. Given the Church's influence, it often becomes a tool for those pursuing self-interest. The documentary also explores the selling of indulgences, a means of securing remission for forgiven sins' temporal punishment. This practice serves as an economic tool for the Church to amass worldly resources. The documentary quotes, "People think they can buy their way to heaven" when discussing the transactional nature of buying and selling indulgences.
Considering the political and economic aspects presented, we see that medieval European Christians were often more concerned with the hierarchical aspects of the Christian religion rather than the spiritual dimension. This hierarchy led to competition for religious positions, seen as valuable resources in worldly life.
Additionally, I reflected on how rituals became a tool for the Church to effectively manage people's desire to connect with God. These rituals served as a means for individuals to ceremonially demonstrate their closeness to God, often done to gain recognition from others. Consequently, these ritual activities appeared to be more about satisfying one's worldly existence.
The documentary offers a deeper understanding of various political and economic dimensions. I'll conclude my reflection on these aspects for now, reserving some mental energy for delving into the life and ideas of Martin Luther.
The Young Martin Luther
I'm not an expert on Martin Luther's life, as I've emphasized. I'm interested in him as a historical figure, but I also have concerns that he might influence my philosophical views. With this disclosure in mind, let me continue my reflections and learnings about the young Martin Luther, as discussed in the documentary.
Young Martin Luther was deeply immersed in religious influence and intellectual pursuits. Religion permeated his actions, a reflection of the Church's profound influence reinforced by family norms. A life centered on religious ideas naturally led to a propensity for questioning. It's unclear whether this inclination towards questioning was a cultural trait in Germany, but it undeniably led to a pursuit of learning and reflection.
As a young man, Martin Luther became an Augustinian monk and gained recognition in their sphere due to his intellectual prowess. His growing exposure provided an avenue to explore the religious life he had embraced. The more he delved into the world of the Roman Church, the more questions and reflections he accumulated.
One of his significant exposures occurred during a visit to Rome, where he witnessed people fervently attaching themselves to religious relics. His observations in Rome stirred a pool of questions and perhaps hypotheses. When questions arise, they demand answers, and when answers remain elusive, they need investigation.
Martin Luther's reflective capabilities also led him to question the concept of indulgences. He believed that an indulgence represented "False Hope and a Lie," as highlighted in the documentary. Martin Luther questioned the Roman Church's religious practices that appeared to deviate from the teachings of the holy scripture. Questions were raised, and the need for answers and discussions became apparent.
The Invitation
Martin Luther's profound questions regarding Church practices he viewed as anti-Christian led him to post the 95 Theses, an invitation to engage in discussions about these concerns. According to the documentary, Pope Leo X dismissively referred to Martin Luther as "The Rumblings of a Drunken German Monk," indicating the Pope's underestimation of Luther's influence. The Pope's statement raised reflections on beer in Germany and whether the country's beer culture fosters a culture of questioning and discussion.
Returning to the documentary, the widespread dissemination of Martin Luther's 95 Theses via the printing press resonated with those who shared his doubts and reflective nature. Luther's call for discussion resonated with the German public, expanding the conversation beyond an individual to a community of thoughtful believers. In response, the Church made the decision to excommunicate Martin Luther.
Excommunication, a religious punishment, bears psychological and spiritual consequences. Psychologically, it isolates a person and may instill feelings of being different from society. Spiritually, it suggests a lack of guaranteed salvation and can induce a sense of hopelessness. This practice of excommunication reflects the perception of a strict and punitive Roman Christian God, an aspect that Martin Luther reflected on and questioned.
The Ideas
Martin Luther's introspection and questioning led him into a challenging worldly life. It struck me as challenging because he could have avoided difficulties by refraining from questioning his beliefs. However, I also pondered that if he hadn't questioned, Christianity might not have been liberated from its ill practices.
It's conceivable that Martin Luther's ideas were influenced by St. Augustine, given his affiliation as an Augustinian. The religious group he belonged to might have played a pivotal role in shaping his reflections and questions. I use "might" because I don't claim expertise in this realm; it's speculative that the religious group significantly shaped the historical Martin Luther.
One compelling idea presented in the documentary revolves around the holy scripture, the Bible. It's noted that before Martin Luther's rise, scholars from various parts of Europe feared that the Bible would lose its central role in Christian life, becoming overly dependent on the Church's interpretation. This concern spurred the reformation movement in Europe. Scholars and contemplative individuals raised their voices, urging the Church to reform. However, due to self-interested management and a desire to maintain political and economic control, these concerns were often disregarded. During this period, we witnessed a growing attachment of Church members to worldly matters.
The idea of liberating Christians from a manipulative Church became a reality through the emergence of the printing press. This invention allowed for the translation and mass production of the Bible, making the Word of God accessible to every Christian. The availability of translated Bibles empowered Christians and challenged the notion that the Pope held the key to salvation, particularly among early reformed Christians in Europe.
The documentary also conveys Martin Luther's stance on not discriminating against migrant Jews or European Jews. Luther advocated for Christians to emulate Christ's love rather than harboring hatred and pushing Jews away. He believed in inviting Jews to convert through Christian love.
The documentary also explores the significance of worship songs and singing as an expression of faith. Martin Luther favored singing as a form of worship, viewing it as an active means of grasping the Word of God and a testament of faith. Singing engaged worshippers actively during Church gatherings.
Finally, the documentary highlights the impact of Martin Luther's marriage. It portrays marriage as a revelation of character. In Luther's case, marriage led to profound introspection, challenging his perception of God. The dynamics of married life prompted him to think and discover a different dimension of his existence. I view this chapter of Martin Luther's life as a period in which he tried to evaluate himself as God might assess a man. While my interpretation may not be entirely accurate, it underscores that God's nature transcends human judgment and that Luther's self-reflection does not define God.
Documentary Takeaway
The documentary is a masterpiece of composition. The seamless arrangement of ideas, the engaging narrators, and the insights shared by expert speakers, along with all those who contributed, collectively beckon the viewer to explore the Christian Reformation, Protestantism, and various other Christian religious topics.
In closing, as I wrap up my reflections and take away from this documentary, I am deeply grateful to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for the worldly blessings I've encountered. Equally, I express my gratitude for the spiritual enlightenment that has unfolded during the process of penning these reflections. It is my hope that this reflection serves as a valuable instrument for enhancing our understanding and fostering awareness of the evolution of the Christian religion.