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Christian Studies Teacher:

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REVIEW AND SETTING THE SCENE — COMPLETE BEFORE YOU START WATCHING MOVIE

1. Match these approximate dates beside the Church history events below.

ca. 5 BC ca. 30 AD 313 AD 1054 AD 1517 AD

Martin Luther posts his ’95 theses’ : _______________

Rome’s persecution of Christians ends and churches start meeting more freely
and publicly; the church in Rome grows in prominence: _______________

The death and resurrection of Jesus: _____________

The birth of Jesus: ________________

The Great Schism between Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Church: _____________

2. In what country did Luther live?

3. What profession did Luther initially begin training for?

LESSON 1 - PART 1 (00:00 → 20:27) — LUTHER’S SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND EARLY MINISTRY
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After surviving a life-threatening storm, Luther committed his life to full-time Christian ministry. At
the beginning of the movie, Luther presides over the ‘Lord’s Supper’ in remembrance of Christ’s
body and blood for the forgiveness of sins. Christ’s body and blood is symbolised by bread and wine,
which according to the Roman Catholic Church literally transforms into Christ’s body and blood
when consumed…

4. What do the opening scenes of the movie reveal about Luther’s faith and his view of God?
(Theological and philosophical understanding)

5. At this time, what encouragement and advice did Luther receive from his spiritual mentor?
(Theological and philosophical understanding)

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The city of Rome was (and still is) the heart of the Roman Catholic Church and the home of the
Pope. On his first visit to Rome, Luther was shocked and angered by the relics, indulgences and
brothels ‘just for clerics’.

6. What are relics and indulgences and what does Luther think is wrong with them?
(Theological and philosophical understanding)
(Application of Christian thought)

Relic

Indulgence

7. Luther studied theology at university and was assigned to minister in Wittenberg church. During
his time in Wittenberg, he encountered poverty, disability and the (incorrect) belief that suicide
meant a person would go to hell – the Bible makes clear that the only ‘unforgivable sin’ is refusing
to trust in Jesus’ death for God’s forgiveness.

Describe the local people’s initial response to Luther. Why do you think they eventually changed
their minds about him. Use the images below to help you describe specific examples.
(Application of Christian thought)

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LESSON 1 - PART 2 (20:27 → 41:52) — LUTHER’S TEACHING & INCREASING CONFLICT WITH ROME

Luther became a professor of theology, lecturing at the University

of Wittenberg while continuing to minister at a church in
Wittenberg.

Luther was angered by the practices of men like John Tetzel who
preached that people's sins would be forgiven if they bought
indulgences.

Luther agreed with Tetzel that the Bible teaches we all sin and deserve God’s judgement. Luther also
agreed that sin angers God, but ultimately he believed that ‘to see God in faith is to look upon his
friendly heart.’

8. What do you think Luther means when he says God has a ‘friendly heart’? According to the
Bible what is the only way we can receive God’s forgiveness and eternal friendship?
(Theological and philosophical understanding)

9. Luther posted his ‘95 Theses’ on the door of All Saints Church in Wittenberg (in the Middle Ages
church doors functioned as community noticeboards). What did Luther set forth as true Christian
teaching? What change in practices did he promote and what were his reasons?
(Theological and philosophical understanding)
(Application of Christian thought)

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LESSON 2 — (41:52 → 1:22:24) — LUTHER’S TRIAL, DISAPPEARANCE & THE PEASANTS’ WAR

Luther’s preaching and publications angered the Pope (Pope Leo X). Luther was forced to appear
before Cardinal Cajetan and he was pressured to ‘recant’ (i.e. to deny) his teaching against
indulgences. Refusing to do so, Luther was then forced to appear before the ‘Diet of Worms’—an
assembly of church officials in a German town named Worms. Under increased pressure, Luther
again refused to recant. He said, “Here I stand, I can do no other.” Luther was therefore
‘excommunicated’ from the Roman Catholic Church (basically kicked out of the Roman Catholic
Church) and his life was now in danger.

10. When Luther refused to recant before Cajetan and then the Emperor, what reasons did he
give? What does this say about what Luther regards as the highest authority?
(Theological and philosophical understanding)
(Application of Christian thought)

LESSON 3 — (1:22:24 → 1:54) — LUTHER’S PERSONAL LIFE & GERMANY’S RELIGIOUS LIFE

After the trail at Worms, Luther was swiftly ‘kidnapped’ and taken into hiding by his ally Prince
Frederick, to protect Luther from being murdered—the Pope had put a bounty on his head (in
contrast to Jesus’ teaching to love one’s enemies!)
11. What important work did Luther do during his time in
hiding, and why was this “the thing Rome fears most"?
(Theological and philosophical understanding)

Luther eventually came out of hiding and returned to Wittenberg. He was shocked to learn that
many German peasants had revolted against the Roman Catholic Church, resulting in tens of
thousands of deaths across Germany. Luther understood the peasants’ anger against the Roman
Catholic Church, but he did not support the peasants’ violent actions…
12. Explain Luther’s attitude towards violence and the
difference between reform and revolt.
(Application of Christian thought)

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13. Martin eventually married a runaway nun. The Roman Catholic Church strongly disapproved,
for at least two reasons. What are these reasons?
(Theological and philosophical understanding)
(Application of Christian thought)

The German Emperor desperately wanted Germany to remain

under the authority (and in the favour) of the Pope and the
Roman Catholic Church. The German princes appeared before
their Emperor, where they demanded they worship ‘in the
Roman manner’ and outlaw the German-translated New
Testament Bible.

14. How do the princes respond to the Emperor’s demands and what the result of their actions?
(Application of Christian thought)

PERSONAL REFLECTION — COMPLETE AFTER YOU FINISH WATCHING THE MOVIE

15. Luther and the Protestant Reformers emphasised a number of key Bible teachings, including
those listed below. Summarise what is meant by each phrase. See also this resource.
(Theological and philosophical understanding)

a) ‘Scripture alone’ =

b) ‘Grace alone’ =

c) ‘Faith alone’ =

d) ‘Christ alone’ =

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16. Do you think that Luther’s teaching about salvation (grace alone, faith alone, Christ alone) is
consistent with the Bible’s teaching? Explain your answer with reference to some of the verses in
the Bible passage below (Romans 3:21-28).
(Theological and philosophical understanding)

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Now we see how God does make us acceptable to him. The Law and the Prophets tell how we become
acceptable, and it isn’t by obeying the Law of Moses. 22 God treats everyone alike. He accepts people only
because they have faith in Jesus Christ. 23 All of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. 24 But God treats
us much better than we deserve, and because of Christ Jesus, he freely accepts us and sets us free from our
sins. 25-26 God sent Christ to be our sacrifice. Christ offered his life’s blood, so that by faith in him we could come
to God. And God did this to show that in the past he was right to be patient and forgive sinners. This also shows
that God is right when he accepts people who have faith in Jesus. 27 What is left for us to brag about? Not a
thing! Is it because we obeyed some law? No! It is because of faith. 28 We see that people are acceptable to God
because they have faith, and not because they obey the Law.

17. Do you think the Bible’s teaching about salvation is important, do you personally believe it,
and how might it impact your life (or not)? Explain your answer to these questions.
(Application of Christian thought)

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