Was luther a humanist?

Question

Was luther a humanist?

Answer 1

Assuming you mean Martin Luther, yes. I believe his core belief was that every human has direct access to God.

Answer 2

If your question is was Martin Luther a humanist according to the Renaissance definition of secular humanism then you could argue either way.  However, it's far more likely that he was a Christian Humanist, if a humanist at all.  It really would have depended on his beliefs regarding aspects the Renaissance.  You could conceivably argue that by opposing the sale of indulgences (which financed much of the Italian Renaissance in Rome) that he rejected baseline humanist beliefs.  However, for someone that had the forethought to present the church with arguments he was probably a Christian Humanist.  Regardless, of all of that he was not interested in starting a new religion...basic religious history explains to us that the posting of questions about God, the church, etc. on the church doors were commonly accepted practice.  More secular people could read and thus, more secular thinking occurred after he posted his 95 Theses.

Answer 3

Luther was always a devout Catholic.  That was the reason for his dissatisfaction with the things which were going on.

Answer 4

No.  Luther believed that man is completely incapable of reaching out to God of his own accord, and that our only sure hope of salvation is to receive God's grace sacramentally.  Also, Luther rejected all doctrines that would give men a "direct line" to God, such as immediate grace or prevenient grace.