NAME:
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Background Info: Source Analysis
The Diet of Worms seems like a strange thing, but a Diet can be a council and Worms is just the name of a town in
Germany. So this just means that Martin Luther made this statement at the Diet/Council of Worms.
Martin Luther was summoned there to answer for his “crime” of criticizing the Catholic church. Before this, the
Pope excommunicated Martin Luther. An emperor, Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire, gave him one more
chance to recant (renounce/go back on/disavow) his beliefs. Here is what he said…
3.
What is the point of him saying that the
Catholic church’s councils “have often
erred [made mistakes] and contradicted
themselves”?
4.
Why does he feel he cannot recant? (Hint:
Pay attention to the part about
conscience.)
5.
In your own words, write a one-sentence
summary of his statement. (OK to use
personal pronouns)
“Unless I am convinced by the
testimony of the Scriptures [Bible] or
by clear reason (for I do not trust either
in the pope or in councils alone, since it
is well known that they have often erred
and contradicted themselves), I am
bound by the Scriptures I have quoted
and my conscience is captive to the
Word of God. I cannot and will not
recant anything, since it is neither safe
nor right to go against conscience. May
God help me. Amen.”
1.
2.
What is Martin Luther trying to say
when he says, “I do not trust either in
the pope or councils alone”?
If he is “bound by the Scriptures” (only
accountable to the Bible itself), what
does this say about what he needs in
order to be truly religious?