Changes

Luther translated Romans 3:28 by adding an extra German word for "alone" (alleine or alleyn) after the phrase: "justified by faith":  "So halten wir nun dafür, daß der Mensch gerecht werde ohne des Gesetzes Werke, alleyn durch den Glauben."  Luther believed that man is justified by faith alone, and that salvation comes only from faith.  The Catholic Church (and [[Eastern Orthodox Church]]) taught that man is justified by faith, good works and confession to the Church authorities.

Luther translated Romans 3:28 by adding an extra German word for "alone" (alleine or alleyn) after the phrase: "justified by faith":  "So halten wir nun dafür, daß der Mensch gerecht werde ohne des Gesetzes Werke, alleyn durch den Glauben."  Luther believed that man is justified by faith alone, and that salvation comes only from faith.  The Catholic Church (and [[Eastern Orthodox Church]]) taught that man is justified by faith, good works and confession to the Church authorities.

A remarkable invention awaited Luther's German translation of the [[Bible]]:  in 1447 the German [[Johannes Gutenberg]] had already invented the movable-type [[Printing Press|printing press]].  This enabled Luther's translation to be printed for the public in September 1522.  The Christian world would never be the same again.  (The [[Gutenberg Bible]], which put the [[Latin Vulgate]] in book format, had been printed in 1455 and it is the oldest existing book in the West.)

A remarkable invention awaited Luther's German translation of the [[Bible]]:  in 1447 the German [[Johannes Gutenberg]] had already invented the movable-type [[Printing Press|printing press]].  This enabled Luther's translation to be printed for the public in September 1522.  The Christian world would never be the same again.  (The [[Gutenberg Bible]], which put the [[Latin Vulgate]] in book format, had been printed in 1455 and it is the oldest existing book in the West.)

Martin Luther continued to write, and taught at a German university for his financial support.  Luther's writings in defense of his religious views were often harsh and passionate.  After first reaching out to the Jews, when they did not embrace his Christianity, in 1543 he published a tract entitled ''On the Jews and Their Lies'' which called for the burning of [[synagogue]]s and Jewish schools, the destruction of their prayer books, their homes razed and their money and property confiscated.<ref>[http://www.humanitas-international.org/showcase/chronography/documents/luther-jews.htm Text of Luther's ''On the Jews and Their Lies]</ref><ref>[http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/anti-semitism/Luther_on_Jews.html The Jewish Virtual Library]</ref>

Martin Luther continued to write, and taught at a German university for his financial support.  Luther's writings in defense of his religious views were often harsh and passionate.  After first reaching out to the Jews, when they did not embrace his Christianity, in 1543 he published a tract entitled ''On the Jews and Their Lies'' which called for the burning of [[synagogue]]s and Jewish schools, the destruction of their prayer books, their homes razed and their money and property confiscated.<ref>[http://www.humanitas-international.org/showcase/chronography/documents/luther-jews.htm Text of Luther's ''On the Jews and Their Lies]</ref><ref>[http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/anti-semitism/Luther_on_Jews.html The Jewish Virtual Library]</ref>

Historians debate the impact Luther's writings may have had on German thought leading into the Nazi Holocaust of World War II.  Luther harshly criticized many peoples in addition to Jews; a pamphlet of his in 1545, the year before he died, was entitled "Against the Roman Papacy an Institution of the Devil,".  It is also recorded that at a round table discussion he said he believed in burning witches.  Some of Luther’s writings seem quite vulgar by today's standards, but much of it was also in response to vulgar accusations against his religious views.

Historians debate the impact Luther's writings may have had on German thought leading into the Nazi Holocaust of World War II.  Luther harshly criticized many peoples in addition to Jews; a pamphlet of his in 1545, the year before he died, was entitled "Against the Roman Papacy an Institution of the Devil,".  It is also recorded that at a round table discussion he said he believed in burning witches.  Some of Luther’s writings seem quite vulgar by today's standards, but much of it was also in response to vulgar accusations against his religious views.

 

== Impact ==

== Impact ==