1. Challenge to understand text
2. Challenge to understand the setting of the text
3. Challenge to apply them to our current setting

The first two will be covered each morning, as we will be considered students of Martin Luther. In the afternoon, we will have an opportunity to discuss how these apply to our current settings.  

But today the focus was on an introduction to the Middle Ages and Martin Luther before the Reformation. I will give a brief overview and will save the details for classes when I return!  

In the Middle Ages, the average life expectancy was 30 years. Life was miserable – plagues, famine and death at every turn. So eternal life was the hope and desire of the people, that some day they would be done with this misery, and live forever in paradise. In order to achieve this goal, one needed to be baptized, and forgiven of one’s sinful nature – we are all sinners. But mortal sin – the things we do or leave undone – brought one back down to the level of sin and separation from God. So penance, asking for God’s forgiveness, would bring one back to a level of hope. One would strive to reach the level of righteousness in the eyes of God, but could never achieve it. So when one would die, a time in purgatory to pay off those mortal sins would be required.  

Penance was a major focus of the people in these days. This what much of Luther’s writings focused on – forgiveness and being made right with God.  

In 1505, Luther joined the Augustinian Hermites, became a student of Theology and a teacher of Philosophy. It was not that he was interested in Philosophy, but older students were often required to teach younger students. As a Friar (or Monk), Luther worshipped six times a day, hearing the psalms and scriptures read so that he came to know them inside out.  Luther’s training as a monk instilled in him the focus on the scripture asking the question, “what does this mean for me?” This was instrumental in his teaching approaches.  As someone said, you can take the monk out of the monastery, but you you cannot take the monastery out of the monk. And in Luther’s coat pocket when he died, a piece of paper was found that read, “We are all beggars.”  

Of course, our sessions went into greater detail. But this gives you a small taste.  

In the afternoon, we went to the 1517 Panorama display.  This incredible 360 degree display is a painting/photograph that depicts a day in Wittenberg 500 years ago. Martin Lither appears 14 times in the display. The detail is incredible. No picture does this justice, but I am bringing home a poster. Here are a couple images from the display.

This evening some of us shared about our church settings.