The Elements Of Character Richard Bondi Character Analysis

Richard Bondi, the author of the work “The Elements of Character,” suggests there are four elements of character: what he calls the capacity for intentional action, involvement with the affections and passions, accidents of history, and the capacity of the heart. The two most prominent in Luther’s life would be the capacity for intentional action and accidents of history. These particular elements influence not only the man Luther became but also the leader that he was. One word people might use to describe Luther after researching him is intentional. He was very specific in the words he chose when articulating himself. Bondi describes how “deliberating over and giving reasons for out actions is a crucial element of character since it clams those actions as our own and thus allows

Another example of accidents of history in Luther’s life is the posting of the Ninety-Five Theses. When studying the protestant reformation everyone will at some point encounter Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses, which was posted on his church on the eve of All Saints. This document articulated questions Luther had about the catholic faith, in a way that seemed to him to invite scholars and priests to debate these issues. However, that was not the response. The Ninety-Five Theses were translated into German and became “the talk of all Germany” (Bainton, 83). Quickly Luther went from being a young man unsure about his place in the world due to his father’s resentment to a young man heading a reformation, in this way Luther had the role of leadership thrust upon him. He did not post the theses because he wanted the limelight or because he was attempting to spearhead a movement, rather he was looking for debate among people he looked up to and trusted. Within the next years in his life his leadership and character would be immensely