Reformation

Question 1

Martin Luther (1485 -1546)

Answer 1

• German Reformation
• Augustinian Friar
• Professor University of Wittenberg, Saxon, Germany

Question 2

Contextual Influences of the German Reformation

Answer 2

The Church in Rome & Pope’s lack of oversight and understanding of the dynamics at play across the empire.

The protection from Elector Frederick the Wise of Saxony - significant especially after being declared a heretic.

Modern thinking emerging - from tradition as authoritative to individual interpretation.

Technological Intersects (printing press)

Question 3

Magisterial Reformation

Answer 3

Reformers that worked with secular authority = the magistrate.

Martin Luther was apart of this form of reformation

Question 4

Frederick the Wise

Answer 4

Elector of of Saxony

Protected and supported Luther.

Question 5

Archbishop Albert of Mainz

Answer 5

Luther sent him a copy of his Ninety-five Theses, with a cover letter urging him to pay attention and put an end to the preaching of Johan Tetzel on indulgences, which he believed were shadowed by his personal opinions disguised as dogma.

This was not an ideal person to inform. Unbeknown to Luther the Archbishop of Mainz was connected into a scheme with Johan Tetzel. It was a political and financial scheme.

Reported Luther to Rome and asked for the process of formal heresy to begin

Question 6

31st October 1517

Answer 6

Posting of Luthers 95 theses on the Schlosskirche.

Common practice of an academic in prompting debate/discussion over an issue.

In this case it was the issue of the practice of Indulgences not being doctrinally defined.

Not intended to be controversial or have the impact it did - just early signs of his later theology to develop.

Marked the start of the Protestant Reformation and the end of the Middle Ages.

Question 7

Archbishop Albert of Mainz & Johan Tetzels Scheme

Question 8

Ninety-five Theses

Answer 8

Moderate in tone, and simply seeking clarification

Concerned with doctrine around indulgences

no mention of a reformed church, or direct questioning the authority of Pope/Church.

indirect challenge in questioning why the Pope who had access to the good merits of the past saints charge for this, why would he not freely give?

Question 9

Papal indulgence issued in 1515

Answer 9

Indulgences in this case were being gathered for the building of a new Basilica of St Peter in Rome and to keep back threat of empires on the east.

Question 10

Johann Tetzel

Answer 10

A german Dominican friar.

Front man for the 1515 papal indulgences.

It was his approach that Luther was taken aback by. Crude approach, not true repentance.

Tetzel first responded with counter theses in 1518, it was at this time that Luthers work was becoming more controversial.

Question 11

Pope Leo X (1517)

Answer 11

Pope Leo X ignored the tension between Tetzel and Luther, which only served to further aggravate Luther.

Pope and churches’ lack of reform in the issue of indulgences was grounds to question the authority and theology of the church.

Trigger point of later theology.

Question 12

1518 Heidelberg Theses

Answer 12

We see this new theology emerge
- likely a reaction to the controversy around his initial 95 theses.

• Cross at the centre - that is where we find God - not through personal effort or striving.
• righteousness/justification through gift of faith.
• reflections on personal spiritual journey in monasticism - never being able to do enough penance to be justified.

Question 13

1519 Debate at Leipzig

Answer 13

A university debate between karlstadt from Wittenberg (defending Luther) and Johann Eck (who critiqued Luthers first 95 Theses).

Luther’s more radical conclusions came to light:
- He had broken with the Roman Catholic church and in its place upheld the bible interpreted by the individual.

Question 14

Johann Eck

Answer 14

Well published theologian.
Very intelligent and knowledgeable
Like Luther had a combative temperament
Concluded Luther’s ideas were heretical

Question 15

1520 Release of the five tracts

Answer 15

Included what would become the pillars of Protestant Theology

1. Pope is not Superior - all believers make up the priesthood of God.
2. Scripture should not be exclusively interpreted by Pope. Every believer has the right to interpret scripture for themselves through the lens of faith.
3. Justification by Faith Alone. This is what motivates us to love our neighbour.

Excitement of the Public - by 1520 he was favoured by the Public. There was widespread excitement and taking up ideas (attributed to printing press). People saw Luther’s ideas as a fresh voice against the financial abuse of Rome.

Question 16

1520 Response of the Pope.

Answer 16

Exsurge Domine
Titled “Arise oh Lord”
depicted Luther as a wild bore in gods vine yard
condemned much of Luthers books - ordering them to be burned and for Luther to submit to the Pope.

Question 17

1521 Excommunicated by Pope Leo X

Answer 17

After 60 days and Luther not Submitting Pope officially released a statement that Luther was excommunicated.

Question 18

1521 Luther appears before the Diet & emperor Charles V

Answer 18

Luther admits the books are his however refused to go against what he has written unless the scripture convicts him.

• was a life risking decision.
• “my conscience is captive to the word of God”

Note shift in authority (development in western civilisation)

• he no longer accepted the authority of the Popes and councils since they contradict one another
• individual standing up against an institution with just his personal integrity and conviction.

Charles V ended up declaring Luther a heretic and “schismist” and refused his subjects from providing for Luther.

After that Luther lived in hiding but went on to continue to have influence. Frederick smuggled him away

Question 19

Traditional Source of Church Authority

Answer 19

Rested with the Pope in the Roman Catholic Church.

Church acted as an earthly mediator of salvation.
- They held both scripture and sacraments.

Question 20

Humanism

Answer 20

Intellectual current under the developments that emphasised the Greek and Latin classics.
Jumping back past the medieval period, ignoring the scholars of this time, in order to understand the original texts in an unfiltered way.

Question 21

Humanism ad fontes

Answer 21

Going back to the source. Finding truth directly, unmediated.

For christians this meant direct access to scripture which had been largely inaccessible in the west as it was just in Latin.

Bypassing the church to create access

Question 22

sola scriptura (latin)

Answer 22

= authority lies in the bible alone.

Question 23

The printing press (technological intersect)

Answer 23

Allowed for rapid transmission of Luther’s ideas - both in Germany and in other countries.

In germany the press was widely dispersed across the empire urban centers.
- This decentralised spread made it harder to control.

Luther’s work was turning point for printing press as it was the first time opinions were printed

Question 24

Fragmentation

Answer 24

Each protestant leader having slightly different “orthodox belief/theology”

Unity of church disrupted.