1. Emphasis on Law and Justice: Luther's training as a lawyer instilled in him a strong sense of law and justice. He saw the law as a framework for order and righteousness, and he applied this principle to his understanding of religion.
2. Internal Struggle with Sin: Luther's study of the law, particularly the Mosaic Law, made him acutely aware of his own sinfulness and his inability to achieve salvation through good works. This experience of "legalism" fueled his deep existential crisis.
3. Quest for Justification: The law became a tool for Luther to understand the problem of sin and the need for salvation. He recognized that human actions, however righteous, could never earn God's favor. This led him to search for a different path to salvation, one that transcended human effort.
4. Discovery of Grace: Luther's discovery of the "Gospel of Grace" through his study of the Bible, particularly the Pauline Epistles, was a turning point. He realized that salvation was not earned through good works but was a gift from God, freely given by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
5. Rejection of Indulgences: Luther's understanding of grace directly contradicted the Catholic Church's practice of selling indulgences, which promised forgiveness of sins in exchange for money. He saw indulgences as a perversion of God's grace and a blatant exploitation of people's desire for salvation.
6. Focus on Scripture: Luther's legal training instilled in him a strong sense of objectivity and logic. He applied these principles to his study of the Bible, believing it to be the sole source of divine authority. He rejected the Church's reliance on tradition and human interpretations, advocating for a direct engagement with the Scriptures.
7. Emphasis on Priesthood of All Believers: Luther's understanding of grace challenged the Catholic Church's hierarchical structure and the exclusive power of priests. He believed that every Christian was a "priest" before God, capable of direct access to the divine through faith.
In summary, Luther's legal training instilled in him a strong sense of justice, a deep understanding of sin and salvation, and a critical approach to religious practices. These experiences, coupled with his discovery of the Gospel of Grace, led him to challenge the authority of the Catholic Church and advocate for a more personal and scriptural approach to faith.