Or did something go completely awry?
2007-10-22 12:00:18 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Depends on exactly what you mean.
Luther certainly did intend for reform to take place. What he *didn't* intend was for heretics by the dozen to start coming out of the woodwork, denying both the sacraments and the very legitimacy of the historic Catholic faith. When that can of worms was opened, the Church was backed into a corner and responded with a heavy hand, with Luther being caught in the middle and unjustly excommunicated with the rest of them.
I think some of the regrettable bitterness we see later in Luther's life can be attributed to this.
2007-10-23 02:16:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous Lutheran 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think his first intention was to make the Catholic Church stronger and better and get rid of the corruption and usury. Once the Church explained their viewpoints and they did not coincide with Luther who believed he was right decided the breach was too bad to repair and then I believe what began the Reformation.
2007-10-22 19:50:14 · answer #2 · answered by Dave aka Spider Monkey 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe his original intentions were to reform the Catholic church, not cause a split. After the diet of worms the die was cast and a split was inevitable.
2007-10-22 19:05:46 · answer #3 · answered by Mr. E 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. He meant only to correct the abuses he saw in the Church. IMO, he would be horrified that his 95 Theses has resulted in 20,000 + denominations.
2007-10-22 19:07:58 · answer #4 · answered by SpiritRoaming 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
YES!!!
2007-10-22 19:02:37 · answer #5 · answered by shawnnice89 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋