The Vow Summary and Analysis

In 1505, when Martin Luther is struck by a bolt of lightning and knocked to the ground, he calls out to St. Anne and decides to become a monk. It takes him two weeks to arrange his affairs and choose a monastery. He chooses a strict reformed congregation of Augustianians. How ironic that the same man will later renounce monasticism and repudiate the cult of saints. At this time in Germany, nationalism has been breaking political unities. Luther helps bring religion to the forefront, even in politics. Luther inspires controversy. Some hail him a prophet while others look down on him as a destroyer of Christendom.

Luther attributes strict discipline as what drives him to the monastery. Luther is from a loving family and he is deeply devoted to his father. He is greatly disturbed over his parents' disapproval of...