A Summary of the History of Christianity (by Hans Küng)
(with annotations and revisions done by Julius-Kei Kato)
We will refer to sub-divisions of this article by the section numbers within square brackets (e.g. [1]).
Resources:
Original Link to this Summary (in the public domain / accessed 2020-09-20): https://www.global-ethic-now.de/gen-eng/0b_weltethos-und-religionen/0b-01-02-christentum/0b-01-0201-jesus.php
Paradigm Shifts in Christianity (a one-page visual diagram) https://www.global-ethic-now.de/gen-eng/0b_weltethos-und-religionen/0b-pdf/paradigm-shifts-christianity.pdf
[12]
Martin Luther - Life
1483 Birth in
Eisleben.
1505 Entry into the Augustinian monastery in Erfurt.
1512 Professor in Wittenberg.
1517 Publication of the “Ninety-five Theses” against indulgences.
1520 Papal bull threatening excommunication if he does not
retract. Luther publicly burns the papal bull.
1521 Luther is excommunicated. He stands up to his writings
at the Diet of Worms, he and his followers are put under the ban (Edict of
Worms). Luther is hidden till 1522
in Wartburg Castle, where he begins his translation of the Bible.
1525 The Peasants’ War. Luther got married and broke with Erasmus
of Rotterdam.
1529 Marburg
Colloquy with Huldrych Zwingli and Martin Bucer.
1541 Jean Calvin established a theocratic republic in Geneva.
1546 Luther dies in Eisleben
[13]
Luther’s Program
Luther’s program: Return to the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Bible
In place of innumerable ecclesiastic traditions, laws and authorities,
the Holy Scriptures alone serve as the criterion of being Christian –
translation of the Bible into the language of the people so that everyone could
understand it
Christ
In place of innumerable saints and official mediators, Jesus
Christ alone serves as the Mediator of humans before God
Grace
In place of ecclesiastically imposed pious deeds to merit
salvation, believers find justification before God not through their works, but
through grace alone, which cannot be earned, but is received through faith
alone. Grace is unconditional.
Church
In place of the medieval clerical hierarchy, the Church is
the community of believers, a congregation that prays and sings together.
