Martin Luther: The Great Reformer by Robert Bravo.
On the morning of November 10th, 1483 in the Saxony, Germany, during the reign of Fredrick III, Martin Luther was born. Little did anyone know what an impact this new born son would have on the world? He was a theologian, bible translator, preacher and a writer. But what stands out the most of all, is the fact, that he had a great desire to bring God's word to the masses. Because of this desire he would one day play a vital part in the Church's "Great Reformation".
In 1505 as he was caught in a storm and fearing for his life, Martin Luther made a vow to become a monk if St Anne would see him safely through the storm. Shortly after making this vow, he regretted it, but never the less; 14 days latter he entered the monastery. His father was furious about it, but Luther continued anyway. Later as he was thinking back he said "I never thought of leaving the monetary. I was dead to the world until God's time when Junker Tetzel and Doctor Staupitz incited me against the pope."1 Here in this monastery he chose to become an Augustinian monk, in the Order of the Hermits of St Augustine.
On April 4, 1507 when he was twenty-three years old, he was ordained to priesthood. Not all Monks became priests, but Luther was different, he was a brilliant young man, so his superiors urged him on. As the years go by Luther becomes the priest in the Wittenberg parish.
Although there were many things that led up to the reformation, the one event thing that seems to be the initial breaking point or starting point if you will, happened at Luther's Wittenberg parish in 1517. Martin Luther for a long time struggled over the abuse of "Indulgences" he was sure that the whole indulgence practice had become so corrupt and was so abused that the only hope he had for it was to confront the issue directly.
The indulgences that provoked Luther were from the "sacrament of penance," the sacrament was to allow Christians of the church to be able to receive communion after they had committed grievous sins.
