Influences on Martin Luther's Inner Conflict

Martin Luther's inner conflict was deeply influenced by various factors. He was influenced by the Rhineland mystics and the tradition of radical self-negation. As an Augustinian monk, Luther was impacted by Augustine's ideas of self-depravity and our inability to achieve mystical union with God. He was also influenced by Paul's concepts of inner conflict within God. Luther's fear of God's wrath, along with the radicalized self-negation from Augustine and Paul, led to self-loathing and a self-destructive process. Luther believed that human nature is inherently self-obsessed and self-destructive, reflecting the biblical notion of pride and rebellion against God.