From the most influential man in modern history, the works of Martin Luther are shared in small portions for daily study over 40 days.From the most influential man in modern history, the works of Martin Luther are shared in small portions for daily study over 40 days.
Drawing from Martin Luther's vast works including his Small and Large Catechisms, editor Gracia Grindal eloquently shares contemplative and rich writings about the Christian life directly from Martin Luther, allowing readers to deeper understand the Apostles' Creed, the Ten Commandments, and the Lord's Prayer. In writing devotional materials, Martin Luther realized his writings had to be simple and easy to understand by even the youngest child. This 40-day devotional for spiritual growth offers a short introduction to Luther's life, daily entries of his writings, questions for meditation, journal writing exercises, and daily prayers. A profound resource for personal meditation or small group discussion, 40-Day Journey with Martin Luther40-Day Journey with Martin Luther is ideal for Bible study any time -- especially during Advent and Lent.
Martin Luther changed the course of Western civilization by initiating the Protestant Reformation. As a priest and theology professor, he confronted indulgence salesmen with his 95 Theses in 1517. Luther strongly disputed their claim that freedom from God's punishment of sin could be purchased with money. His refusal to retract all of his writings at the demand of Pope Leo X in 1520 and the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V at the Diet of Worms meeting in 1521 resulted in his excommunication by the pope and condemnation as an outlaw by the emperor.
Luther taught that salvation is a free gift of God and received only by grace through faith in Jesus as redeemer from sin, not from good works. His theology challenged the authority of the pope of the Roman Catholic Church by teaching that the Bible is the only source of divinely revealed knowledge and opposed sacerdotalism by considering all baptized Christians to be a holy priesthood.
His translation of the Bible into the language of the people (instead of Latin) made it more accessible, causing a tremendous impact on the church and on German culture. It fostered the development of a standard version of the German language, added several principles to the art of translation, and influenced the translation into English of the King James Bible. His hymns inspired the development of singing in churches. His marriage to Katharina von Bora set a model for the practice of clerical marriage, allowing Protestant priests to marry.
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