Martin Luther – 500th Anniversary of the Reformation

Product Description

Our NEW matchbox Martin Luther – 500th Anniversary of the Reformation is beautifully detailed. This is the perfect gift for every Lutheran, young and old. This momentous year 2017 is the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther (1483-1546) nailing the 95 Theses on the portal of All Saints Church in Wittenburg, Germany on Halloween, the eve of All Saints Day, October 31, 1517!

A Small Gift Which Depicts the Key Events in Martin Luther’s Life as Reformer of the Church

The Martin Luther – 500th Anniversary of the Reformation matchbox gift is made of laser-cut, Finnish evergreen and measures 1.9 x 1.25 inches. It is made in Germany and comes elegantly packaged in its own matchbox. This exquisite, high-quality Reformation Anniversary gift is limited in quantity. Order yours now and give a gift that will be enjoyed year after year.

The Martin Luther – 500th Anniversary of the Reformation gift has four layers:

Layer 1: Martin Luther on the left and the “Luther Rose” on the right

The Luther seal or Luther rose is a widely recognized symbol for Lutheranism. This seal that was designed in 1530 for Martin Luther at the behest of John Frederick of Saxony, while Luther was staying at the Coburg Fortress during the Diet of Augsburg. Lazarus Spengler sent Luther a drawing of this seal. Luther saw it as a compendium or expression of his theology and faith, which he used to authorize his correspondence.

Layer 2:  All Saints’ Church (“Castle Church” or Schlosskirche) in Wittenberg

The main portal of All Saints’ Church (Schlosskirche) was often used by the university staff to post messages and notices.  On October 31, 1517 – the eve of All Saints Day – Martin Luther posted his Ninety-five Theses on the portal doors of All Saints’ Church. This act, meant to promote a disputation on the sale of indulgences, is commonly viewed to be a catalyst for the Protestant Reformation.  Luther sent his objections in a letter to Archbishop Albert of Mainz on the same day.

Martin Luther is buried in this church.  On his tomb, located beneath the pulpit, is inscribed “Here is buried the body of the Doctor of Sacred Theology, Martin Luther, who died in the year of Christ 1546, on February 18th, in his hometown Eisleben, after having lived for 63 years, 2 months, and 10 days.”

Layer 3 – the Cathedral of Worms (der Wormser Dom) and Martin Luther’s Birthplace in Eisleben

On the left is the Cathedral of Worms and on the right Martin Luther’s birthplace in Eisleben, where he was born on November 10, 1483.

The Diet of Worms took place in the Cathedral of Worms. Here in 1521, during which Martin Luther was condemned as a heretic.

What is a “Diet”?  The term “Diet” (also in the nutritional sense) is derived from Medieval Latin dieta, meaning both “parliamentary assembly” and “daily food allowance”, from earlier Latin diaeta transcribing the Classical Greek δίαιτα diaita, meaning “way of living”, and hence also “diet”, “regular (daily) work”.  In German “Diet” is Reichstag (like the Reichstag in Berlin).

Layer 4:  Tower of Augustinian Monastery in Wittenberg

Martin Luther entered the Augustinian Order in Erfurt on July 7, 1505.  He later became a member of the Augustinian community in their monastery in Wittenberg.

When exactly Luther first discovered and formulated the principle of Justification by faith alone (sola gratia) is disputed.  Later Luther described this turning point as an unexpected illumination which he received in his study in the south tower of the Augustinian monastery in Wittenberg.  This is the so-called “Tower Experience” (das Turmerlebnis) which took place sometime between the years 1511 and 1513 (or 1515 and 1518).  Indisputable is the fact that Luther felt radically liberated by this experience.  In his meditation on the bible verse Romans 1:17, Luther had now suddenly discovered what he had sought in vain for a decade:

For in this is revealed the justification which is valid in God’s eyes:  that which comes from faith and leads to faith, as is written:  “The just one will live out of faith.”  („Denn darin wird offenbart die Gerechtigkeit, die vor Gott gilt, welche aus dem Glauben kommt und zum Glauben führt; wie geschrieben steht: Der Gerechte wird aus dem Glauben leben.“), ornaments, nativities, holy families

Additional Information

Weight	0.05 lbs
Dimensions	3.25 × 2.25 × 1 in