MAY 25, 2008

 

MARTIN   LUTHER  continued:

 

  Somewhere between 1511-1505, Luther concludes that justification is by faith without works, taken from his studies of Romans 1:17.  Yet he continued his

practice of Catholicism.

 

1. Johann Tetzel and the Indulgences-  Tetzel was a Dominican priest sent to Germany to sell indulgences in order to raise money to finish St.Peter’s in Rome

under Pope Leo 10^th.   Allegedly, Tetzel used something like :  Into purgatory

the soul doeth spring when in to the coffer the gold does ring.

2. Luther was greatly provoked by the crass and commercial offering of forgiveness through indulgences (as opposed to his discovery of forgiveness through faith in Christ).  On Oct.31, 1517, Luther nails his 95 Thesis on the door of the church in Wittenberg as expressive of his opposition to many things in Catholicism.

3.  The public response was for the Dominicans (order of preachers) to rally

in support of Tetzel; which in turn, moved Luther to more serious study and

stronger statements against the superstitions of Romanism. 

4.  Luther was ordered to appear in Rome under charges of heresy and give answer for his remarks.  He obtained a hearing on German soil in Oct. of 1518

before the Dominican Cardinal Miltitz.  With his status unresolved, Luther appealed to the Pope on Nov.28.  An agreement was made for neither Luther

nor his opponents to write or publish any more during a cooling off period.

 

The Leipzig Debates:

1. The controversy that was stirred moved to the universities where Johann Eck

challenging Luther’s friend, Carlstadt to a debate.  Eck was a gifted debater

and brilliant, but also arrogant.

2.  Luther approached the subject of papal authority and disclaimed the primacy

of Peter—Eck replied by presenting letters from bishops of the first century stating the primacy of Peter.

3. Luther challenged the letters were false;  later they were proven to be part

of the Isodorian Decretals, false documents used to support papal power.

4.  Eck managed to maneuver Luther into appearing sympathetic with Wycliffe

and Huss.  Both sides claimed to have won the debate, but clearly Luther had

done a formidable job and won the respect of teachers & students.

 

Post-Leipzig (1520)

1. Luther writes “Address to the German Nobility”- call for priesthood of all

believers and a need for reform of the church;  “Babylonian Captivity of the Church”- attack on transubstantiation and sacrificial nature of the Mass;

“Freedom of the Christian Man”- appeal to true Christian living.

Page 2

 

Papal Bull of Excommunication

 

1. Leo 10^th issued an order of excommunication and that Luther’s books be burned- June 15, 1520.

2.  Luther responded by burning the bull in public on Dec.10, 1520 in Wittenberg.

3. Emperor Charles 5^th called a “Diet” or council at Worms, Germany on January

28, 1521.  Representing the pope was Caracciolo and Aleander.  Luther was

promised a safe conduct to come.

4. At worms (April 17 & 18, 1521) Eck asked Luther two questions:

  1) Did he acknowledge the books present to be his?

  2) Would he retract statements made in the books?

5. Luther said “yes” and asked for time to review the books—the next day

he masterfully defended his position from scripture and challenged his critics

to convince him where he was wrong according to scripture.

6. After a sharp exchange, Luther said, “Here I stand, I can not do otherwise. God help me.”   That evening he was encouraged by his friends.

7. Luther was allowed to leave as ordered by the emperor, but was now considered a heretic.

8.  On May 4^th, Luther was seized by friends of Frederick of Saxony and held

in safe keeping incognito in the castle at Wartburg for 11 months.  He used that time to translate the New Testament into German, using Erasmus’ second edition

as basis.