The Thomistic Institute Was Luther Right? Indulgences, Purgatory, Saints and All That | Prof. Michael Root
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Apr 4, 2019 
Prof. Michael Root discusses Martin Luther's critiques of church abuses, indulgences, and theological debates. Contrasts Lutheranism with Catholicism on grace, salvation, and ecclesiastical authority. Explores differences in Old Testament scriptures between Protestant and traditional churches.
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Theologian's Conversion From Lutheranism To Catholicism
- Michael Root shares his personal journey from Lutheran theologian to Catholic convert after decades in Lutheran academia.
- He cites ecumenical dialogues and reflection on grace as decisive in his conversion to Catholicism.
Luther Made Grace Totally Passive
- Luther correctly stressed human dependence on grace but insisted on excluding any human cooperation in justification.
- Root explains Luther saw assurance threatened if salvation depended on human cooperation, prompting his doctrine of radical passivity.
Grace Empowers Free Human Merit
- Catholic theology holds grace both as gift and as interior activity that empowers true human freedom.
- Root highlights Augustine and Aquinas: grace perfects nature so saints' actions can be genuinely meritorious without denying grace's primacy.