GMU History 100, Western Civ, Sect 033 (Tulchin)

GMU History 100, Western Civ, Sect 033 (Tulchin)

Martin Luther, and the Inner and Outer self

Martin Luther gives a detailed explanation about the inner and outer man. Luther explains that the outer man and the inner man are two almost separate entities, and that what the outer entity, the body, does has no affect on the soul which is the inner self. When He talks about Christianity, his main point is that the inner self being the soul has a greater impact on where a man ends up in the after life than the body does.

Luther talks about the things that really make a good Christian. He emphasizes that the true actions and morals of a man are found within his soul, his inner self. Although the outer self can physically perform all of the traditions of a “Christian,” for example going to church and reading the Bible, it is the inner self that keeps the person from becoming a hypocrite. According to Luther, without the morals, faith, and Christian foundation planted in the inner soul, all the good deeds performed by body are of no value.

Along with his strong beliefs about the inner soul, Luther criticizes the Catholic Church. Through his 95 thesis, he causes many people to begin to doubt their faith in the church authorities. Rather than strengthening people’s faith, he allowed them to dig deeper in their personal relationship with God and establish a more grounded faith with in their soul.

Luther’s main point was that the most important aspect of being a Christian is the moral value engrained in the soul.