Luther and The Diet Of Worms Flashcards
When was the Diet of Worms?
1521
What took place at the Diet of Worms?
Martin Luther was summoned by the holy roman emperor to discuss his attack on the church
What took place at this meeting was key to a movement that tore countries apart
What was Luther’s fundamental criticism of the Pope?
The Pope led people to believe that they could bye their own salvation - Luther believed this was a distortion of scripture and that only god has the power to bring about salvation and decide who is worthy
What led to Luther’s excommunication?
When was this?
Who were these books addressed to? Why?
1521 - Luther published 3 short books criticising the Pope
The books were addressed to the christian nobility in Germany regarding reformation of the church.
- this was an appeal to Charles 5th - being news newly restored and young emperor Luther was optimistic in his belief that Charles was the man whom would finally reform the church
How did Luther formulate his criticism of the Pope?
What three defences did the Pope deploy to ensure supremacy and curb ideas of reformation?
How did Luther formulate his criticism of Pope?
He combined a traditional criticism of the Pope, highlighting how Rome has been subtracting large amounts of money from German lands, with a theological approach in that all previous attempts to reform he church have failed because the Pope has safeguarded himself with three key defensive barricades 1) the church teaches that the Laerty are a lower class of christian
2) only the Pope can interpret the scripture
3) only the Pope can call counsel
This unique and structured attack formed the basis of a political movement against Papal authority and Rome
What notion has survived into modern society as a result of the reformation and Luther’s principles?
“You and I are individuals in front of our God”
Why was Luther’s passage into worms a success?
There was anti papal sentiment growing in momentum throughout Germany so Luther’s attack on the church was be received well
The printing press allowed Luther’s ideas to explode and spread rapidly, reaching larger audiences
Luther began to write in German in order to tap into the growing resentment against papal authority within Germany
