Sabbatical with Pastor Curtis: Luther in Nuremberg?

There is a direct or indirect connection with Luther and most of the Protestant and Lutheran Churches in Thuringia and Bavaria, even in Nurmberg and surrounding communities. The printing of books and pamphlets played an important role in the spreading of the reformed theology. Luther and the other reformers used the media and technology of the day to their advantage. Book printing was big in Nuremberg. The writings of the reformers Luther and Melanchthon, quickly reached the hands of the public. Nuremberg was considered a center for humanism and art. The Catholic community was transformed into a Protestent city church system based on the Wittenberg model. The effect the Reformation had on Nuremberg also spread to the surrounding towns and principalities.

Some historians have reported that Luther actually stayed in Nuremberg in 1518 and had won over a number of supporters who had been reading and hearing his teaching about the Bible being the sole norm of faith and life. So, even though Luther did not really spend much time here, only traveling through now and then, the writings of his theology and teachings were embraced.

One of the largest Lutheran churches in Nuremberg is also the oldest as well. The Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche or St. Lorenz Church in Nuremberg was built as a Gothic Basilica in 1250 and enlarged in 1439 to 1477 with the addition of a hall choir area. The church officially became Lutheran in 1525 after embracing Luther's teachings concerning justification and good works. They boast of the largest organ installation in a Protestant or Lutheran Church in all of Germany. The upkeep of the church is close to $800,000 US dollars per year. Enjoy the images of the church below.

We also visited the Imperial Castle in Nueremberg. The history of this castle is way too much information to include in this blog. Still, we felt in only right to include a couple of shots of the castle as well.