During the Protestant Reformation, religious
reformers called protestants broke from the Catholic
Church & started new Christian denominations
B.
Luther Challenges the Church
Martin Luther
Martin Luther – Father of the Reformation (1483-1546)
Born into a poor German family
Got a good education (law)
1505 - life-changing event: he was caught in a violent storm, prayed for safe passage,
vowed to become a monk
1507 - Became a monk
1512 – Began teaching scripture at the University of Wittenberg in German state of Saxony
He felt unworthy, unjustified (saved)
His students asked tough, probing questions that he had difficulty answering
(esp. about indulgences)
To try to find inner-peace, Luther tried fasting, confession, prayer, etc.;
still felt a void
Then he stumbled over a passage in the Bible (St. Paul's letter to the Romans)
Romans, 1:17 - "the just shall live by faith", he felt reborn
Luther was certainly not a rebel!
1517 - took a stand against Johann Tetzel
Pope Leo X wanted to complete the rebuilding of St. Peter's Basilica
Tetzel was raising money to rebuild St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome
By selling indulgences – buying pardons for sins
Gave the impression that people could buy their way into heaven
Martin Luther
Protests Corruption
Wittenberg, Saxony
1517
Indulgences
Forgiveness of
punishment due to
past sins given for:
Prayers
Actions of Repentance
Pilgrimage
Donation to Church
Indulgences – purchasing pardons
C.
The Response to Luther
The Pope’s Threat
Luther was surprised by how rapidly his
ideas spread
1520 – Pope Leo X excommunicated Luther
The Emperor’s Opposition
Holy Roman Emperor
– Charles V – age 20
– was opposed to Luther
Edict of Worms – 1521
- Charles declared Luther an outlaw and heretic
Prince of Saxony – Frederick the Wise protected Luther
Lutherans – became a separate religious group no longer part of
the Catholic Church
Luther translated the Bible into German
Priests began to dress in ordinary clothes and call
themselves ministers
Services were in German instead of Latin
Some ministers married
Exsurge Domine - papal bull
June 15, 1520
Pope Leo X in response to Martin Luther
Did not directly condemn all of Luther's doctrines
Specifically demanded that Luther retract
41 of his 95 theses within sixty days.
This time expired on December 10, 1520,
which was the day on which Luther burned
his copy of this bull.
Because Luther refused to comply,
the pope issued the
bull Decet Romanum Pontificem in 1521, excommunicating him.
"How well we know what a
profitable superstition this
fable of Christ has been for
us"
"Since God has given us
the papacy, let us enjoy it."
Pope Leo X – second son of Lorenzo de Medici
The 95 Thesis
October 31, 1517 – posted his theses on the door of the Church in Wittenberg
Three main ideas
1.
Salvation by Faith alone
Salvation a "gift" from God, can't be earned by "good works"
The Church taught that faith and “good works” were needed for salvation
2.
All Church teachings should be clearly based on the words of the Bible
Bible - not the Church - the sole source of religious truth - final authority on religious matters
The Bible is the only religious document, not as the Catholic Church translates it!
The Pope is not infallible. Bible is the final authority on religious matters
Luther translated the Bible into German vernacular - people could participate and understand
The pope and church traditions were false authorities
Church should be subordinate to civil authority (princes loved this)
3.
All people with faith were equal
Therefore people did not need priests to interpret the Bible for them
The church is a "priesthood of all believers" (not a select hierarchy)
Priests are not "supernatural" (but "guides" with no specific power), and can marry (Luther story)
4.
Preaching instead of ritual - thought
Services should be simple: prayer, hymns, teaching
5.
Viewed all useful occupations as vocations - callings – not limited to clergy
People could serve God by serving their neighbor
6.
Man does not have "free will" – challenges claim that they do - Erasmus
7.
Only true sacraments are those found in the Bible, baptism and communion
(Catholic Church had seven: those, plus confirmation, penance, unction, or anointing with oil, marriage,
holy orders)
Someone took this theses and printed it
Distributed all over the Holy Roman Empire
Reformation – a movement for religious reform
Led to the founding of churches that did not accept the pope’s authority
Burning the Papal Bull
1521 – Pope Leo X excommunicated Luther
The Emperor’s Opposition
Charles V
Holy Roman Emperor
-Habsburg Dynasty
(r. 1519 – 1556)(1500-1558)
King of Spain
• New HRE, Charles V, is young (19),
politically insecure and attempting to govern
a huge realm during the critical years of
Luther’s protest
• Charles V faced outside attacks from France
and the Turks
Opposed to Luther
Sided with Pope Leo X
Philip II (r. 1556 – 1598)
of Spanish - Implemented
the Spanish Inquisition
• Circumstances favor Luther
Edict of Worms – 1521
Charles declared Luther an outlaw and heretic
Prince of Saxony
Frederick the Wise protected Luther
Edict of Worms –
Charles V declared Luther
an Outlaw and a Heretic.
■No one could feed or
house Martin Luther within
the Holy Roman Empire.
■Prince Frederick the
Wise of Saxony hid
Luther in his castle for a
year.
■1522 – Luther returns to
Wittenberg and saw his
teachings in practice Lutheranism
The Peasants’ Revolt
Peasants began to demand the type of freedom that Luther
talked about
They wanted to abolish serfdom
1524 – they rebelled attacking monasteries
Luther called on princes to show no mercy
100,000 massacred
Many peasants then rejected Luther
Germany at War
Many German Princes supported Luther
Some liked his ideas
Some wanted an excuse to take Church lands
Some wanted independence from Charles V – power
Protestant League organized to defend their faith
Holy Roman Emperor Charles V went to war against Protestants
Catholic League willing to do anything to defend their
beliefs
Three decades of warfare resulted
Peace of Augsburg – 1555 – fighting ended
Princes agreed - religion of each German state would be
decided by its ruler
Protestant North
Catholic South
Would the new religion be accepted elsewhere in Europe?
Supporters of Luther
German Princes
Some liked his ideas
Some wanted Church lands
Some wanted independence
from Charles V – power
VS.
Holy Roman Emperor
Charles V – Catholics
Peace of Augsburg – 1555
Each German prince would decide
Catholic or Protestant
People given a period to move
Protestant North
Catholic South
Liturgical
A form of corporate worship in which the priest or
minister leads the congregation in readings and
prayers from a prescribed text called a liturgy.
Liturgical Churches
Non-Liturgical Churches
Catholic
Orthodox
Lutheran
Anglican (Episcopal)
Presbyterian
Methodist
Anabaptist
Congregational
Baptist
Churches of Christ
Adventist
Pentecostal
Issue
Roman Catholics
Protestants - Lutherans
Theology
Free Will
Yes
No → needs grace first
Impact of Man’s Fall
Corruption – Tendency to Sin
Total Depravity – Guilt
Salvation
Faith + Works
Final Authority
Bible + Church Tradition
By Grace alone through Faith
alone
Bible – interpret yourself
If not mentioned then allow
If prohibited then prohibit
Calling
Only Priesthood
All are called
Mediators between man-God
Church Service
Purpose
Sacrament → Obedience
Gives grace
Preaching → Thought
Style
Smells – Bells – all senses
Simple – prayers – hymns
Sacraments
Seven Sacraments
Two Required Sacraments
Baptism / Communion
Lutherans
Priests
Catholics
Priests can’t marry
Priests can marry
Power
State
State obeys Church
Location
Germany
South – France – Spain
Scandinavia
Transubstantiation
Real Presence
Purgatory
North -
Italy – Portugal
Yes
No Yes
No
Prayer to Saints
No
Separation Church-
Yes
Issue
Roman Catholics
Protestants - Lutherans
Leader
Ignatius of Loyola - Jesuits Martin Luther
Key Documents Council of Trent - 1545
95 Thesis - 1517
Augsburg Confession
Free Will
Yes
No
Reformed – Calvinists
John Calvin - 1536
Institutes of the Christian Religion
Westminster Confession
No
Anglican - Henry VIII
Thomas Cranmer - 1549
39 Articles
Book of Common Prayer
Yes/No
Salvation
Faith + Works
Election – Predestination
Faith alone/Grace alone
Final Authority
Bible interpreted → Pope
Scripture + Tradition
Faith alone - Sola Fide
Sola Gracia
Bible – if prohibited
Sola Scriptura
Bible – unless included
Bible - if prohibited
Sola Scriptura
Scripture - Tradition - Reason
Tricycle -
Calling
Only Priesthood
All are called
Royal Priesthood
Elect are called
All are called
Royal Priesthood
Church Service
Purpose
Sacrament → Obedience
Preaching→ Thought
Examination→Revealing
Preaching and Sacrament
Style
Smells – Bells – all senses
Simple – prayers - hymns
Four walls and prayer
Smells - Bells - all the senses
Sacraments
Seven Sacraments
Two Required Sacraments
Others allowed
Two Sacraments only
Two + Five
Priests
Priests can’t marry
Priests can marry
Priests can marry
Priests can marry
Power
State obeys Church
Separation Church-State
City on a Hill/Theocracy
State Obey Church
TULIP
Location
South – France – Spain
Italy - Portugal
Germany - Scandinavia
Governance
Episcopal - Apostolic
Episcopal - Archbishop Succession - Pope Bishop - Priest - Deacon
Archbishop - Bishop - Priest
- Deacon
Switzerland - Holland
Presbyterians – Scotland
Huguenots – France
Puritans – England Puritans America
Presbyterian - Elder led/overseer
Synod - group of elders
Pastor - just another elder
Solo Cristo - rejects role of priest - rejects Apostolic Succession
Soli Deo Gloria - rejects veneration of Mary, Saints, Angels
Sola Ecclesia - the Church alone - rejects individualism
Sola Spiritus - In the Spirit alone
England + colonies
Sun never sets…
Episcopal - Archbishop Bishop - Priest - Deacon
Methodist - Arminianism
Baptist - General + Particular Atonement
- governance is congregational
Art. Title
I
God
II
Original Sin
III
The Son of God
IV
Justification By
Faith
V
The Office of
Preaching
Of The New
Obedience
Of The Church
VI
VII
VIII What The
Church Is
IX
Of Baptism
X
Of the Lord's
Supper
Description
Christians believe in the Triune God and reject other interpretations regarding the nature of
God.
Lutherans believe that the nature of man is sinful, described as being without fear of God,
without trust of God and with concupiscence.
Sin is redeemed through Baptism and the Holy Spirit.
Lutherans believe in the incarnation, that is, the union of the fully human with the fully divine in
the person of Jesus. Jesus Christ alone brings about the reconciliation of humanity with God.
Man cannot be justified before God through our own abilities; we are wholly reliant on Jesus
Christ for reconciliation with God. (This is often described as the one article by which the
"Lutheran church stands or falls".) Sola Fide
Lutherans believe that to ensure that the gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed throughout the
world, Christ has established His office of the holy ministry for the purpose of preaching.
Lutherans believe that good deeds of Christians are the fruits of faith and salvation, not a
price paid for them.
Lutherans believe that there is one holy Christian church, and it is found wherever the gospel
is preached in its truth and purity and the sacraments are administered according to the gospel.
Despite what hypocrisy may exist in the church (and among men), the Word and the
Sacraments are always valid because they are instituted by Christ, no matter what the sins
may be of the one who administers them.
Lutherans believe that Baptism is necessary, and that through Baptism is offered the grace of
God. Children are baptized as an offering to them of God's grace.
Lutherans believe that Christ's body and blood is truly present in, with, and under the bread
and wine of the sacrament and reject those that teach otherwise.
Art.
XI
Title
Of Confession
XII
Of Repentance
XIII
Of the Use of the
Sacraments
XIV
Of Ecclesiastical Order
XV
Description
Lutherans believe that private absolution should remain in the church, though a believer does not
need to enumerate all of his sins as it is impossible for a man to enumerate all of the sins for which he
should be forgiven.
Repentance comes in two parts: in contrition for sins committed according to the Law and through faith
offered through the Gospel. A believer can never be free from sin, nor live outside of the grace of God.
The Sacraments (Baptism and the Eucharist) are physical manifestations of God's Word and His
commitment to us. The Sacraments are never just physical elements, but have God's word and
promises bound to them.
Lutherans allow only those who are "properly called" to publicly preach or administer the Sacraments.
Of Ecclesiastical Usages Lutherans believe that church holidays, calendars and festivals are useful for religious observance, but
that observance and ritual is not necessary for salvation. Human traditions (such as observances,
fasts, distinctions in eating meats) that are taught as a way to "merit" grace work in opposition to the
Gospel.
XVI Of Civil Affairs
Secular governments and vocations are considered to be part of God's natural orders; Christians are
free to serve in government and the military and to engage in the business and vocations of the world.
Laws are to be followed unless they are commandments to sin.
XVII Of Christ's Return to
Lutherans believe that Christ will return to raise the dead and judge the world; the godly will be given
Judgment
everlasting joy, and the ungodly will be "tormented without end".
This article rejects notions of a millennial kingdom before the resurrection of the dead.
XVIII Of Free Will
Lutherans believe that we, to some extent, have free will in the realm of "civil righteousness" (or "things
subject to reason"), but that we do not have free will in "spiritual righteousness". In other words, we
have no free choice when it comes to salvation. Faith is not the work of men, but of the Holy Spirit.
XIX Of the Cause of Sin
Lutherans believe that sin is caused not by God but by "the will of the wicked", turning away from God.
XX Of Good Works
The Lutheran notion of justification by faith does not somehow condemn good works; faith causes them
to do good works as a sign of our justification (or salvation), not a requirement for salvation.
XXI Of the Worship of the
Lutherans keep the saints, not as saviors or intercessors to God, but rather as examples and
Saints
inspirations to our own faith and life.
Article Title
XXII
Of Both Kinds In
The Sacrament
(Eucharist)
XXIII
Abuses Corrected - Description
It is proper to offer communicants the consecrated bread and wine, not just the bread.
Of the Marriage of Lutherans permit their clergy to enter the institution of marriage, for the reasons that the
Priests
early Church bishops were married, that God blesses marriage as an order of creation,
and because marriage and procreation is the natural outlet for human sexual desire.
XXIV Of the Mass
Lutherans retain the practice of the Mass, but only as a public gathering for the purposes of
community worship and the receiving of the Eucharist. Lutherans reject the practice of using
the Mass as a "work" for both salvation and worldly (monetary) gain.
XXV Of Confession
Lutherans uphold the need for confession and absolution, but reject the notion that
Confession should induce guilt or anxiety to the Christian. Absolution is offered for all sin,
not just sins that can be recounted in a confession, as it is impossible for a man to know all
of his transgressions.
XXVI Of the Distinction Human traditions that hold fasting and special observances with dietary restrictions as a
of Meats
means of gaining the favor of God are contrary to the gospel. While fasting and other
practices are useful spiritual practices, they do not justify man nor offer salvation.
XXVII Of Monastic Vows Man cannot achieve purity in community or isolation from the rest of the world, and
perfection cannot be attained by any vow taken or actions of man alone.
XXVIII Of Ecclesiastical The only power given to priests or bishops is the power offered through Scripture to
Power
preach, teach and administer the sacraments. The powers given to the clergy in issues
of government or the military are granted and respected only through civil means; they are
not civil rulers of governments and the military by divine right.
Issue
Leader
Key Documents
Free Will
Baptists
Salvation
Final Authority
Faith alone
Grace alone
Bible
Calling
All
Church Service
Purpose
Preaching
Evangelism - Gospel
Yes
Style
Simple
Sacraments
Two - no grace
Priests
Y
Power
Separation Church/State
Location
England
Rhode Island
5 Beliefs That Set Baptists Apart From Other Protestant Christians
1. Baptism: While some Christian faiths perform Baptism on infants, for Baptists this ritual is only performed after a person professes Jesus Christ as
their personal Lord and Savior. It is an act that symbolizes the cleansing away of their sins. And while some faiths perform baptism by sprinkling water
on the subject, Baptists must be fully immersed in the water. This is usually done by lowering a candidate backwards into the water to imitate the
death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.
2. Local Governance: Baptist churches assert that each local church is self-governing and independent of other churches. Baptists are not under the
administrative control of any other body, such as a national council, or a leader such as a bishop or pope. Each Baptist church usually has a pastor,
deacons, and trustees, but administration, leadership and doctrine are decided democratically by the lay members of each individual church. This is
why there is such a variation of beliefs from one Baptist church to another.
3. Separation of Church and State: Baptists have led the way in the struggle for freedom of religion and separation of church and state in the U.S. and
other countries. Historically, many Baptists were even imprisoned and died for their faith and this belief. Baptists were influential in the formation of
the first civil government based on the separation of church and state in what is now Rhode Island,
4. Lifestyle: If gambling, alcohol and tobacco use are part of your lifestyle, the Baptist faith is probably not for you. Many conservative Baptists oppose
these vices and some even prohibit dancing and watching movies. This is especially prevalent in areas where Southern Baptists form a majority of the
population. Many conservative Baptists oppose gambling, alcohol, tobacco, and some prohibit dancing and movies.
5. Biblical Authority: Baptists believe that the Bible is free of error and is the only source of God's truth. Any view that can't be tied to scripture is
based on human traditions and is not God's teaching. Individuals are responsible for their own understanding of the Bible and can receive salvation
through faith alone.
Method - Baptists and Catholics believe that God is the ultimate source of salvation. They also believe that Jesus died on the cross in order to provide humanity with access
to that salvation. For all that they share in this area, however, Catholics and Baptists do differ somewhat. For example, Baptists believe that Jesus' death came about because
sin must be punished. Jesus' death satisfied God's wrath so that Christians don't have to experience that wrath. Catholics instead teach that Jesus' death was the ultimate act of
self-sacrifice and love, and that it was sin itself that caused Jesus' suffering. For Baptists, God punished Jesus instead of Christians; for Catholics, Jesus offered a sacrifice of
love that was pleasing to God by bearing the consequences of humanity's sins.
Faith and Works - Faith is an integral part of salvation for both Baptists and Catholics, but each group's understanding of faith is different. Baptists believe that
individuals must ask Jesus to forgive their sins and then trust Jesus will do just that in order to be saved. Catholics believe that faith encompasses not only this trust, but an
intellectual assent to the basic doctrines of the Catholic faith. Further, Catholics believe that the good works that follow conversion play a role in saving the believer from sin and
hell, too. Baptists, on the other hand, believe that works are irrelevant to salvation.
Salvation as Process or Instantaneous - For Catholic Christians, salvation is a process. It begins at conversion and continues on through the life of the
believer. It culminates in final salvation, when the believer is raised from the dead and enters heaven. Baptists believe salvation occurs in an instant and that once this takes
place, the believer is saved for all eternity. At the moment of conversion, final salvation is assured.
The Church - The institutional church plays only a marginal role in salvation for Baptists. While someone might be saved in a Baptist church, the church is only the
particular opportunity for salvation. Sacraments, provided by the church, are merely symbols of what's happened for the believer. For Catholics, the church is God's chosen
instrument for salvation. Catholics believe that the church is the primary means by which salvation occurs, and that salvation does not occur outside the ministry of the church.
Catholics believe the sacraments are necessary for salvation.
1. The Magisterium
The term “magisterium” refers to the official teaching body of the Roman Catholic Church. Dr.
Horrell explains,
“Usually, it’s related to… the large house of cardinals and the leading theologians in the movement;
but finally, that all comes under, of course, the pope himself.”
Besides providing a trusted, unified voice to guide Catholics, this body also allows the church to
make official pronouncements on contemporary issues which Scripture might not directly
address.
Although there is no equivalent to the magisterium for Protestants, it’s possible to compare
Catholic and Protestant views of the role of tradition.
2. Tradition
While Protestants don’t view tradition as equal in authority with the Scriptures, the Roman
Catholic Church has a different perspective—one which clearly distinguishes itself from Protestant
churches. As Dr. Horrell notes:
“The issue of Sola Scriptura…versus ‘Scripture plus tradition’ is perhaps the fundamental
difference between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism…(what) you’re talking about it’s a
hermeneutic, a way of doing theology.”
While Protestants only view the Scriptures as authoritative, the Catholic Catechism clearly states
that Church:
“…does not derive her certainty about all revealed truths from the holy Scriptures alone. Both
Scripture and tradition must be accepted and honored with equal sentiments of devotion and
reverence.”
3. Salvation and Grace
Protestants often express the idea that salvation is by faith alone, through grace alone, in Christ
alone. This assertion views justification as specific point upon which God declares that you are
righteous—a point where you enter into the Christian life.
In contrast, the Roman Catholic Church views justification as a process, dependent on the grace
you receive by participating in the Church—which is seen as a repository of saving grace. Dr.
Svigel explains the Catholic perspective:
“Grace is treated almost as if it’s a substance, something that can be dispensed through various
avenues of change and means… You’re saved by grace, but how you receive that grace and what
Issues unresolved between RCC and Lutheran
the divine right of the pope
predestination
the number of sacraments
character indelebilis
the doctrine of the universal priesthood of the faithful
sola scriptura
Catholic – Atonement
Death of Christ created merit that is
shared with sinners through sacraments → grace
Catholic – Grace
Prevenient grace helps one believe
Efficacious grace cooperates with the human will to do good
Catholic - Works
Bring additional merit
Catholic – Salvation
Gained at Baptism – Lost through sin – regained through penance
Work out our salvation → Justification → Sanctification
Lutheran Atonement
Death of Christ was a substitutionary sacrifice
It satisfied God’s justice once for all
Sacraments may strengthen faith - only faith → grace
Lutheran Grace
Common grace enabling good works given to all
Sufficient grace for salvation given to the elect only
Lutheran Works
Result from God’s Grace → not a result of our actions → no merit
Lutheran Salvation
Gift of Grace – unconditional – can’t be lost – once saved always saved
Roman Catholic Church
Lutheran Churches
When
founded/by
whom?
Catholics consider Jesus’ disciple
Peter (d. 67 AD) to be the first Pope
Gregory the Great (pope 540-604) was a key
figure in the pope’s office. At that time, the
pope came to be viewed as ruling over the
whole church.
1517 - Martin Luther’s “95 Thesis” challenges
Catholic teaching) usually mark the beginning
of the Protestant Reformation
1530 - The Augsburg Confession is the first
formal Lutheran statement of faith.
# adherents?
1.2 billion
62 million in US
80 million worldwide
6.5 million US
How is
scripture
viewed?
The Scriptures teach without error the
truth needed for our salvation. Scripture
must be interpreted with the Tradition of
the Church. The canon includes
OT - 46 books including (the Apocrypha)
NT - 27 books
Scripture alone is the authoritative witness to
the gospel (some parts more directly than
others). Conservative view Scripture as
inerrant. The Protestant canon of 39 Old
Testament books and 27 New Testament
books is accepted.
Who is God?
The one Creator and Lord of all, existing
eternally as the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy
Spirit).
The one Creator and Lord of all, existing
eternally as the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy
Spirit).
Who is Jesus?
The eternal Son incarnate, fully God and fully
man, conceived and born of the virgin Mary,
died on the Cross for our sins, rose bodily
from the grave, ascended into heaven, and will
come again in glory to judge us all.
The eternal Son incarnate, fully God and fully
man, conceived and born of the virgin Mary,
died on the Cross for our sins, rose bodily from
the grave, ascended into heaven, and will come
again to judge us all.
Roman Catholic Church
Lutheran Churches
How are we saved?
Christ died as a substitutionary
sacrifice for our sins; God by his grace
infuses a supernatural gift of faith in Christ
in those who are baptized, which is
maintained by doing works of love and
receiving Penance and the Eucharist.
We are saved by grace alone when God
imputes to us his gift of righteousness through
faith alone (sola fide) in Christ, who died for
our sins. Good works are the inevitable result
of true faith, but in no way the basis of our
right standing before God.
What happens after
death?
The souls of the faithful go to heaven either
immediately or, if imperfectly purified in
this life, after purgatory. The souls of the
wicked at death are immediately consigned
to eternal punishment in hell.
The souls of believers upon dying go
immediately to be with Christ, and at Christ’s
return, their bodies are raised to immortal,
eternal life. The souls of the wicked begin
suffering immediately in hell.
What is the church?
The church is the Mystical Body of Christ,
established by Christ with the bishop of
Rome (the Pope), who may at times
pronounce dogma (doctrine required of all
members) infallibly, as its earthly head. It
is united (one) in a sacred (holy) worldwide
(catholic) community through the
succession of bishops whose ordination
goes back to the apostles (apostolic);
Christians not in communion with the
Catholic Church are called “separated
brethren.”
The church is the congregation of believers
(though mixed with the lost) in which the
gospel is taught and the sacraments rightly
administered. All believers are “priests” in
that they have direct access to God. All
ministers are pastors; some serve as bishops.
Historically, apostolic succession has been
rejected.
What about
sacraments?
Baptism removes original sin (usually in
infants). In the Eucharist, the substances
(but not the properties) of bread and wine
are changed into Jesus’ body and blood
Baptism is necessary for salvation; in it both
adults and infants are given God’s grace. The
Lord’s Supper remains truly bread and wine
but also becomes truly Jesus’ body and blood
Roman Catholic Church
Lutheran Churches
Other
beliefs/practices
Mary was conceived by her mother
immaculately (free of original sin),
remained a virgin perpetually, and was
assumed bodily into heaven. She is the
Mother of the Church and is considered an
object of devotion and veneration (a show
of honor that stops short of worship).
The church’s liturgy is similar to the Anglican
or Episcopal liturgy. Conservative Lutherans
generally affirm that God chooses who will be
saved before they believe. In 2009 the ELCA
opened ministry to gay and lesbian pastors in
committed relationships.
Major divisions or
trends today
About one-fourth of Catholics are
doctrinally conservative. Many priests and
members tend to accept liberal, pluralist
beliefs contrary to church teaching.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA) is the mainline church. In 1999 the
ELCA approved full communion with the
Episcopal Church. The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod is doctrinally conservative and
is in communion with the ACNA.
Major differences
Between RCC and
Orthodox
Differences that block reconciliation
Papal Infallibility - is the main difference
Purgatory
Immaculate Conception
The filioque clause
Luther laid down some of the basic doctrines of what came to be called Protestantism.
The word Protestant is a simple Latin verb meaning “they protest,” and it was the first word of a
remonstrance issued in 1529.
The core of Luther’s teaching turns around the three “alones” or “onlys.”
Salvation is “by faith alone” (sola fide). Faith is a free, mysterious, and unmerited
(unearned) gift of God. Humanists, such as Erasmus, said that humans could exercise their
will, could choose to believe. Luther believed that man was too corrupted by sin to make this
choice. Therefore, the presence of faith is attributable to God alone and people cannot take
credit for it.
Salvation depends on “grace alone” (sola gratia). The grace of God that makes man just in
the eyes of God is a free gift wholly independent of human actions. Grace was made available
once and for all in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross.
The “Bible alone” (sola scriptura) teaches what many need to know and is the single source
of authority in matters of religion; popes, councils, traditions—all these things were sinful
human inventions.
The key to understanding these issues has to do with human free will. The Catholic position is
that humans have free will. In this free will they can call on God’s aid and in doing so, earn merit
in God’s eyes and then be supplied with God’s grace to able to accomplish whatever they had been
seeking. For Luther and the reformers that come after him, man is too burdened by sin, too
flawed in character to be able to have the capacity to call upon God therefore God’s aid is a free gift
and not one that humans can take credit and not one whose human actions will bring. The nature
of human is at stake and the nature of the relationship between God and man is at stake.
QUESTION: What are the main theological differences between the theology of the Lutheran Church and the
Roman Catholic Church?
ANSWER: At the risk of oversimplification, and keeping in mind that individual Lutheran (and Catholic) theologians would
undoubtedly disagree about the success of recent Lutheran-Roman Catholic dialogues in lessening or even "resolving" historic
doctrinal differences between these two churches, listed below are what the LCMS would regard as some of the major theological
differences between the Lutheran Church and the Roman Catholic Church:
1. The authority of Scripture.
Lutherans believe Scripture alone has authority to determine doctrine; the Roman Catholic Church gives this authority also to the
pope, the church, and certain traditions of the church.
2. The doctrine of justification.
Lutherans believe a person is saved by God's grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. The Roman Catholic Church, while at
times using similar language, still officially holds that faith, in order to save, must be accompanied by (or "infused with") some "work"
or "love" active within a Christian.
3. The authority of the pope.
Unlike the Roman Catholic Church, Lutherans do not believe the office of the papacy as such has any divine authority or that
Christians need to submit to the Pope's authority to be "true" members of the visible church.
4. Differences remain about both the number and the nature of the sacraments.
Roman Catholics speak of seven Sacraments while Lutherans tend to speak of only two (or three). More important than number
is how the Sacraments are understood.
To take a single example, Lutherans believe that in the Sacrament of the Altar (Communion) Christ’s body and blood are truly present
in the bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper, but they do not accept the Roman Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation, which teaches
that the elements are permanently changed from the substances of bread and wine to the substances of body and blood.
Transubstantiation is rejected for several reasons: It is a philosophical explanation for a work of Christ’s almighty Word which we can
only believe, not explain. In seeking to explain a mystery it changes the plain and simple meanings of God’s Word (Scripture refers to
the elements as both bread and wine and body and blood, 1 Cor. 11:26-27).
Transubstantiation leads to the assertion that the body and blood of Christ remain present “even apart from the administration of the
Supper” and so encourages veneration of the elements apart from their sacramental use and detracts from the use Christ commands:
“Take eat … drink … for the forgiveness of your sins.” Lutheran rejection of transubstantiation should not in any way be taken to
mean a denial that Christ’s very body and blood are truly present in the bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper for the forgiveness of
sins.
5. Differences remain about the role of Mary and the saints.
Unlike Catholics, Lutherans do not believe it is proper or scriptural to offer prayers to saints or to view Mary as in any sense a
"mediator" between God and human beings.
While Lutherans believe any doctrinal error has the potential to distort or deny Scripture's teaching regarding salvation, we also
believe that anyone (regardless of denominational affiliation) who truly believes in Jesus Christ as Savior will be saved.
Article
Title
Description - Augsburg Confession - 1530
I
God
Christians believe in the Triune God and reject other interpretations regarding the
nature of God.
II
Original Sin
Lutherans believe that the nature of man is sinful, described as being without fear of God,
without trust of God and with concupiscence. Sin is redeemed through Baptism and the
Holy Spirit.
III
The Son of
God
Lutherans believe in the incarnation, that is, the union of the fully human with the fully
divine in the person of Jesus. Jesus Christ alone brings about the reconciliation of
humanity with God.
IV
Justification Man cannot be justified before God through our own abilities; we are wholly reliant on
By Faith
Jesus Christ for reconciliation with God. (This is often described as the one article by
which the "Lutheran church stands or falls".)
V
The Office of
Preaching
Lutherans believe that to ensure that the gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed throughout
the world, Christ has established His office of the holy ministry.
VI
Of The New
Obedience
Lutherans believe that good deeds of Christians are the fruits of faith and salvation, not a
price paid for them.
VII
Of The Church Lutherans believe that there is one holy Christian church, and it is found wherever the
gospel is preached in its truth and purity and the sacraments are administered according
to the gospel.
VIII
What The
Church Is
Despite what hypocrisy may exist in the church (and among men), the Word and the
Sacraments are always valid because they are instituted by Christ, no matter what the sins
may be of the one who administers them.
IX
Of Baptism
Lutherans believe that Baptism is necessary, and that through Baptism is offered the
grace of God. Children are baptized as an offering to them of God's grace.
X
XI
Of the Lord's
Supper
Lutherans believe that Christ's body and blood is truly present in, with, and under the bread
and wine of the sacrament and reject those that teach otherwise. Consubstantiation
Of Confession Lutherans believe that private absolution should remain in the church, though a believer does
not need to enumerate all of his sins as it is impossible for a man to enumerate all of the sins
for which he should be forgiven.
XII
Of
Repentance comes in two parts: in contrition for sins committed according to the Law and
Repentance
through faith offered through the Gospel. A believer can never be free from sin, nor live outsid
of the grace of God.
XIII
Of the Use of The Sacraments (Baptism and the Eucharist) are physical manifestations of God's Word
the
and His commitment to us. The Sacraments are never just physical elements, but have God's
Sacraments
word and promises bound to them.
XIV
Of
Lutherans allow only those who are "rightly called" to publicly preach or administer the
Ecclesiastical Sacraments.
Order
XV
Of
Lutherans believe that church holidays, calendars and festivals are useful for religious
Ecclesiastical observance, but that observance and ritual is not necessary for salvation. Human traditions
Usages
(such as observances, fasts, distinctions in eating meats) that are taught as a way to "merit"
grace work in opposition to the Gospel.
XVI
Of Civil
Secular governments and vocations are considered to be part of God's natural orders;
Affairs
Christians are free to serve in government and the military and to engage in the business and
vocations of the world. Laws are to be followed unless they are commandments to sin.
XVII Of Christ's
Lutherans believe that Christ will return to raise the dead and judge the world; the godly will
Return to
be given everlasting joy, and the ungodly will be "tormented without end". This article rejects
Judgment
notions of a millennial kingdom before the resurrection of the dead.
XVIII Of Free Will Lutherans believe that we have free will in the realm of "civil righteousness" (or "things subjec
to reason"), but that we do not have free will in "spiritual righteousness". In other words,
we are free to choose and act in every regard except for the choice of salvation. Faith is not the
work of men, but of the Holy Spirit. Faith Alone through Grace Alone.
XIX
Of the Cause Lutherans believe that sin is caused not by God but by "the will of the wicked", turning away
of Sin
from God.
XX
XXI
Of Good
Works
Of the
Worship of
the Saints
Article Title
XXII
Of Both
Kinds In The
Sacrament
(Eucharist)
XXIII Of the
Marriage of
Priests
XXIV Of the Mass
The Lutheran notion of justification by faith does not somehow condemn good works; faith
causes them to do good works as a sign of our justification (or salvation), not a requirement fo
salvation.
Lutherans keep the saints, not as saviors or intercessors to God, but rather as examples and
inspirations to our own faith and life.
Description
It is proper to offer communicants the consecrated bread and wine, not just the bread.
Lutherans permit their clergy to enter the institution of marriage, for the reasons that the
early Church bishops were married, that God blesses marriage as an order of creation, and
because marriage and procreation is the natural outlet for human sexual desire.
Lutherans retain the practice of the Mass, but only as a public gathering for the purposes of
community worship and the receiving of the Eucharist. Lutherans reject the practice of
using the Mass as a "work" for both salvation and worldly (monetary) gain.
XXV
Of Confession Lutherans uphold the need for confession and absolution, but reject the notion that
Confession should induce guilt or anxiety to the Christian. Absolution is offered for all sin,
not just sins that can be recounted in a confession, as it is impossible for a man to know all
of his transgressions.
XXVI Of the
Human traditions that hold fasting and special observances with dietary restrictions as a
Distinction of means of gaining the favor of God are contrary to the gospel. While fasting and other
Meats
practices are useful spiritual practices, they do not justify man nor offer salvation.
XXVII Of Monastic Man cannot achieve purity in community or isolation from the rest of the world, and
Vows
perfection cannot be attained by any vow taken or actions of man alone.
XXVIII Of
The only power given to priests or bishops is the power offered through Scripture to preach,
Ecclesiastical teach and administer the sacraments. The powers given to the clergy in issues of
Power
government or the military are granted and respected only through civil means; they are not
Types of Reformation
Magisterial Reformation
– Church to remain State-Church: magistrate
initiates & supports reform & defends church
– Reform included moral & administrative concerns
but mainly theological & ecclesiological
– Uniformity in doctrine still necessary
– Luther, Zwingli, Calvin, Reformed, England
The Printing Press - 1440
• Luther’s ideas spread
quickly with the help of
the printing press.
• Luther’s supporters
distributed copies of
his speeches and
essays far and wide.
• Millions of people sided
with Luther against the
Roman Catholic
Church.
Reactions to Luther
Church’s Response
• 1520, Pope Leo X expelled
Luther from the Church
• 1521, Luther summoned to
appear before Holy Roman
emperor Charles V
German Diet
• Luther appeared before
emperor, German Diet, or
assembly, at city of Worms
• Refused to change opinions
Edict of Worms
Protestant
• Emperor handed down Edict of
Worms
• 1529, Charles V tried to
suppress Lutherans in Germany
• Declared Luther to be outlaw,
condemned his writings
• German princes issued
protestatio, protest, against this
• Luther’s ideas spread
• Term Protestant came from this
The Spread of the Printing Press
✞Gutenberg’s Printing Press made it
possible for Luther to spread his beliefs
✞Posted his 95 Theses on Church doors in
Wittenburg, Germany
✞Gained support from people and criticism
from Church
•The first thing
printed on
Gutenberg’s
press was the
Bible.
•This is a picture
of a page from
one of
Gutenberg’s
Bibles.
The
Holy Roman
Empire
in the 16c
The Emperor’s Opposition
– Holy Roman Emperor Charles V (devout Catholic) called
Luther to the town of Worms in 1521 to stand trial, where
Luther refused to recant his teachings
– Charles issued an imperial order (The Edict of Worms) that
declared Luther a heretic, and that no one was to give him
food or shelter; all Luther’s books were also burned
– However, Prince Frederick the Wise of Saxony disobeys the
emperor’s orders and gives Luther shelter and food (this is
where Luther translates the New Testament into German)
Wartburg Castle
■
Edict of Worms condemned Luther as civil
criminal; 21 days “safe conduct” but predated May 6
■
Kidnapped on the way home
■
■
Surrounded by hooded men
■
Taken to Wartburg Castle
by order of Frederick the
Wise for safety
Knight George
■
He hid for 10 months
Types of Reformation
• Magisterial Reformation
– Church prior to RCC had necessary ingredients
of Christianity
– Alter structure & doctrine of church to condition
prior to papal domination
– Recreate church of first 5 centuries, NOT prior to
Constantinian union of church & state
Types of Reformation
• Magisterial Reformation
– Church to remain State-Church: magistrate
initiates & supports reform & defends church
– Reform included moral & administrative concerns
but mainly theological & ecclesiological
– Uniformity in doctrine still necessary
– Luther, Zwingli, Calvin, Reformed, England
Luther’s Theology
Luther rediscovered
Christ-centered
faith & salvation
vs.
church-centered
approach
Copyright 2002 NOBTS, Lloyd A. Harsch & Rex D. Butler
Luther’s Theology
• Defined the Protestant Evangelical principles
– Sola gratia: Grace alone
– Sola fides: Faith alone
– Sola scriptura: Scripture alone
Grace alone – not works
• God’s grace in Christ alone saves the person, not
works or efforts. The sinner receives the
righteousness of Christ when he or she trusts in
God’s promise in the Gospel. The person is
justified by faith alone not by participation in the
Church and the sacraments.
• The two sacraments (baptism and the Lord‘s
Supper which Christ ordained) visibly proclaim the
Word of God and are activities which
the Holy Spirit uses to strengthen and
make real the person’s relationship
with Christ.
Faith alone – not sacraments
• Justification by faith alone for salvation.
Luther and other evangelical Christians
rejected the Catholic view that humans
actually become righteous or justified by
partaking of the sacraments (and cooperating
with the “grace” in them) so that they can earn
merits and thus meet God’s standard.
Scripture alone – not traditions
• Sola Scriptura. The authority for faith and
practice rests in the Scriptures alone not in
the Church’s traditions.
• Reformers focused on proclamation of God’s
word, the centrality of Christ and personal
belief in his work in history (His life, death and
resurrection)
• Sought to recover the biblical views
of the Apostle Paul and often relied
on Augustine’s framework of
interpretation.
Protestant View of Church
• Priesthood of the believer is the basis
– Not hierarchical where the priest mediated or dispensed
grace on God’s behalf (sacerdotal agency)
– Every believer has a direct relationship with and access
to God through Christ and also has a responsibility to
minister to other Christians in the life of the church
– Holy Spirit enables the individual believers to understand
and interpret God’s word
– Therefore, Protestants involve laymen as well as clergy in
the government and work of the church
– Only their respective functions (call) differ among saints
in the fellowship of sharing the work of Christ in the world
Protestant View of Church
• The Church as the communion of the saints
– The Protestant leaders, like Luther and Calvin, held to
Augustine’s concept that the church of Jesus Christ is made
up of the elect, those who really believe in the Gospel
– Since God’s election and genuine faith are hidden matters in
the person’s heart, this true universal fellowship is invisible
– The visible churches embraced everyone in a territory and
contained both saved and the lost, the wheat and tares, until
the Judgment.
– Magistrates act as emergency bishops appointing
superintendents, calling synods (councils of ministers) to
order church life.
Marks of Evangelical Church
• A truly “evangelical” church, which
focused on the need to believe the
Gospel (euanggelion), existed where:
–Word of God is correctly proclaimed
–Sacraments are properly administered
–Discipline for godly living is practiced
Luther’s View of Sacraments
• Baptism
– Infant baptism was retained to incorporate
children into the church for their instruction in
the Christian faith
– Baptism was essential since the Holy Spirit
came upon the child (or person) at that point to
deal with their sin problem
– The Reformed saw baptism as the external
sign of the Holy Spirit’s work and thus
important but not essential for salvation
Luther’s View of Sacraments
Lord’s Supper
• Consubstantiation, real bodily presence, not
a sacrifice with transubstantiation
• This belief was essential.
• Proclaimed Word and the Supper were
channels of grace because only through
these means would the Holy Spirit bring the
real presence of Christ into the believer’s life
• Lutherans, therefore, continued a more
elaborate liturgy along the Catholic patterns
of worship
Problem Areas for
Luther’s Followers
• Focus on justification to the neglect of
sanctification
• Inward, passive receiving of faith
separated from outward, active obedience
Spread of “Evangelical”
(Lutheran) Churches
• Holy Roman Empire (Germany) Principalities/States
• Scandinavian Kingdoms: Denmark, Sweden
• Baltic region: Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Prussia
• Central and Eastern Europe: Areas with ethnic
German speaking populations (Bohemia, Silesia,
Poland-Lithuania Commonwealth, Hungary) had
Evangelical churches but not as official state
sponsored churches
Protestant Reformation
Types of Reformation
• Magisterial Reformation
– Church prior to RCC had necessary ingredients
of Christianity
– Alter structure & doctrine of church to condition
prior to papal domination
– Recreate church of first 5 centuries, NOT prior to
Constantinian union of church & state
LUTHERAN
CHURCHES
Martin Luther
Menu
Key Term
Protestant Reformation
• Movement originally calling for reform of the
doctrines, preaching, and rites of the Catholic
Church, ignited by the work of Martin Luther,
and which resulted in the secession of many
churches from the Catholic Church.
• All of the church bodies profiled in this
presentation are Protestant except for the
Catholic and Orthodox churches (although
the Anglican Church also regards itself as
Catholic).
LUTHERAN CHURCHES
Founded
• 1530: The Augsburg Confession is the first formal
Lutheran statement of faith.
Key Term
Confession
• A document stating what a particular church
body or other group of Christians believe in
common
• Examples: Augsburg Confession (Lutheran)
Westminster Confession of Faith
(Presbyterian)
LUTHERAN CHURCHES
Adherents
• 80 million worldwide
• 6–7 million USA
LUTHERAN CHURCHES
Scripture
• Scripture alone is the authoritative
witness to the gospel (some parts
more directly or fully than others).
• The standard Protestant canon of
39 Old Testament books and 27
New Testament books is accepted.
• Conservatives view Scripture as
inerrant.
Key Term
Inerrant
• Meaning, “without error.”
• Used by evangelicals with reference to the
complete trustworthiness of the Bible in all
matters on which it speaks.
LUTHERAN CHURCHES
God
• The one Creator and Lord
of all, existing eternally as
the Trinity (Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit).
LUTHERAN CHURCHES
Jesus
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
The eternal Son incarnate
Fully God and fully man
Conceived and born of the Virgin Mary
Died on the cross for our sins
Rose bodily from the grave
Ascended into heaven
Will come again in glory to judge us all
LUTHERAN CHURCHES
Salvation
• We are saved by grace alone
when God imputes to us his
gift of righteousness through
faith alone (sola fide) in
Christ, who died for our sins.
• Good works are the
inevitable result of true faith,
but in no way the basis of our
right standing before God.
LUTHERAN CHURCHES
After Death
• The souls of believers upon dying go immediately
to be with Christ, and at Christ’s return, their
bodies are raised to immortal, eternal life.
• The souls of the wicked begin suffering
immediately in hell.
LUTHERAN CHURCHES
The Church
• The church is the congregation
of believers (though mixed with
the lost) in which the gospel is
taught and the sacraments
rightly administered.
• All believers are “priests” in that
they have direct access to God.
LUTHERAN CHURCHES
The Church
• All ministers are pastors; some
serve as bishops.
• Historically, apostolic succession
has been rejected.
Key Term
Apostolic Succession
• The doctrine that there is an unbroken line
of succession from the original apostles of
Jesus Christ to bishops of today.
• Only bishops in proper succession may
ordain priests authorized to perform the
sacraments.
LUTHERAN CHURCHES
Sacraments
• Baptism is necessary for
salvation; in it both adults and
infants are given God’s grace.
• The Lord’s Supper remains
truly bread and wine but also
becomes truly Jesus’ body and
blood (consubstantiation).
LUTHERAN CHURCHES
Other Beliefs and Practices
• The church’s liturgy is similar to
the Episcopal.
• Conservative Lutherans
generally affirm that God
chooses who will be saved
before they believe.
LUTHERAN CHURCHES
Other Beliefs and Practices
• In 2009 the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA) opened the ministry to
gay and lesbian pastors in
committed relationships.
LUTHERAN CHURCHES
Divisions and Trends
• The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
is doctrinally conservative.
• In 1999 the ELCA approved full
communion with the Episcopal
Church. The ELCA is the mainline
church.
Lutheran ChurchMissouri Synod
Key Term
Mainline
• A Protestant denomination generally
originating before 1900 (though it may have
undergone recent mergers), from which
theologically conservative congregations
have separated (for example, the United
Methodist Church).
Menu
Luther Starts
the Reformation
LIST FOUR PROBLEMS that existed in the Catholic Church during the time of Martin Luther that he
and others criticized and wished to reform:
Martin Luther
■
Who was Martin Luther?
– 1483-1546
– A monk and a teacher of
scripture at the University of
Wittenberg
– All he wanted to be was a
good Christian, not lead a
religious revolution
– He wrote a document called
the 95 Thesis which launched
a movement against the
Catholic Church
Martin Luther
Luther went against the actions of a friar
Johann Tetzel (who rebuilt St Paul’s
Cathedral with money from indulgences)
INDULGENCES: a pardon that
released a sinner from
performing the penalty that a
priest imposed for sins (buying
their way into heaven!!)
95 THESES: formal statements
attacking these “pardonmerchants”
Martin Luther
■
October 31, 1517 - Luther
posted these statements on
the door of the castle church
in Wittenberg and invited
other scholars to debate him!
■
Luther’s Actions begin the
REFORMATION (movement
for religious reform, leading to
the creation of churches NOT
under the pope’s authority)
Luther’s Teachings
Three Main Ideas
■
People could win salvation only by faith in
God’s gift of forgiveness (the Church taught
that faith and “good works” were needed for
salvation)
■
All Church teachings should be clearly based
on the words of the Bible (both the pope and
Church traditions were false authorities)
■
All people with faith are equal (therefore,
people did not need priests to interpret the
Bible for them)
Luther Starts the Reformation
CAUSES
Luther attacks a monk
named Tetzel for
selling indulgences.
EVENT or SITUATION
In 1517, Luther posts
his 95 Theses on the
church doors at
Wittenberg.
EFFECTS
Luther’s words are printed
and spread all over Germany
and attract many followers.
Above: The church doors
At Luther’s church in
Wittenberg. Other pics,
Wittenberg, 2002.
PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins High School
Reaction to Luther
■
■
1520 – Pope Leo X – excommunicated
Martin Luther from the Catholic Church. (or cut
him off from the Church and salvation)
1521 – Holy Roman Emperor Charles V
summoned Luther to the Diet of Worms to
stand trial for heresy (going against the
church). Luther was asked to denounce his
beliefs, but Martin Luther refused.
Response to Luther
■
The Pope’s Threat
– 1520 - Pope Leo X issued a decree
threatening Luther with excommunication
unless he took back his statements
– Instead, his students at Wittenberg
gathered around a bonfire and cheered as
he threw the pope’s decree into the fire
– Leo excommunicated Luther
Response to Luther
■
Lutherans: a religious group who broke away from the
Catholic Church completely to follow Luther’s ideas and
teachings
■
The Peasant’s Revolt
– 1524 - German peasants, excited by reformers’ talk of Christian
freedom, demanded an end to serfdom
– Bands of angry peasants went about the countryside raiding
monasteries, pillaging, and burning
– Luther horrified - wrote a pamphlet to the princes of Germany
not to show rebels any mercy
– Princes respond, crushing the rebellion by killing around 100,000
people
– Many peasants rejected Luther's religious leadership
Luther Starts the Reformation;
CAUSES
The Pope realizes Luther is
a threat to papal authority.
The H.R.E., is a devout
Catholic, and also feels
threatened by the uproar.
Charles V
Holy Roman
Emperor
EVENT or SITUATION
2. In 1520, Luther
refuses to recant at
Worms and is
excommunicated.
In 1521, he is declared
an outlaw and heretic.
SAXONY
EFFECTS
Luther is sheltered by the
prince of Saxony where he
translates Bible into German.
When he returns to
Wittenberg, his followers
have become a separate
religious group – the
Lutherans.
Frederick,
Prince of Saxony
offered
protection to
Luther
Martin Luther
Pope Leo X
Germany at War
■
Many northern German princes supported Lutheranism
(some for selfish reasons)
– Saw teachings as good excuse to seize Church property and
assert independence from Charles V
■
1529 - German princes who remained loyal to the pope
agreed to join forces against Luther’s ideas
– The princes who supported Luther signed a protest against the
agreement
– These protesting princes came to be known as
PROTESTANTS!!
■ PROTESTANT: would eventually be applied to Christians who
belonged to non-Catholic churches
Germany at War
■
1547 - Charles V defeats the Protestant princes,
but is unable to force them back to the Catholic
Church
– Tired of war, he calls princes (both Catholic and
Protestant) to assemble in the city of Augsburg
■
PEACE OF AUGSBURG: religious settlement in
which each prince would decide the religion of
his state
Luther Starts the Reformation
CAUSES
Excited by Luther’s talk
about “religious freedom,”
peasants revolt hoping for
social / economic freedom
(an end to serfdom).
EVENT or SITUATION
The German
peasants revolt
in 1524.
EFFECTS
When the armies of German
princes (at Luther’s request)
brutally crush this revolt
(killing thousands), previous
supporters now turn against
Luther.
Religious Wars begin between
Catholics and Protestants.
A. Martin Luther (1483-1546)
(1) Background
• Luther’s early life
• Luther’s sense of
unworthiness and his
fear of God
• Luther’s
understanding of
“passive
righteousness”
• Luther’s confrontation
with the Church
• Luther’s marriage to
Katherine von Bora
(2) Luther’s Teachings •
•
•
•
•
•
“Sola Fidei” (Salvation by
Faith Alone)
“Sola Scriptura” (Authority
of the Scriptures Alone)
--Luther’s German
Translation of the New
Testament
The Priesthood of All
Believers
--Peasant Revolt of 1525
All Vocations are pleasing
to God
Predestination
Some latent Catholicism
Overview of the Reformation
⦿
⦿
⦿
⦿
⦿
⦿
Luther’s appearance at Worms sets the stage
for serious challenge to the authority of the
Catholic Church
Challenges arise to papal temporal authority
Reformation shatters Christendom unity
New forms of religious practices begin to
spring up across Europe
Catholic Church has a religious renaissance
Religious war between Protestants and
Catholics arise over differences
102
Martin Luther and the
Reformation of Germany
The Protestant Reformation began with the question: What
must I do to be saved? Martin Luther found an answer not
fitting with the traditional teachings of the medieval church.
Ultimately, the church would split, destroying the religious
unity of western Christendom. A true reformation would be
slower than envisioned because of the social, economic, and
political forces entangled in religion
103
The Early Luther
⦿
⦿
⦿
Martin Luther was born in Germany in 1484
His father wanted him to become a lawyer
Enrolled in the University of Erfurt
● Received a bachelors degree
● Received masters degree in liberal arts
● Began to study law
⦿
Caught in thunderstorm, he promised God
if he would survive, he would become a
monk
104
The Early Luther
⦿
⦿
⦿
Luther then entered the monastic order of
the Augustinian Hermits in Erfurt
Luther focused on his major concern—
salvation
Traditional practices of the church unable
to satisfy him with reference to the
sacrament of penance or confession
● Confessions seemed ineffective to him…had he
remembered all his sin? How could a hopeless
sinner be acceptable to an all-powerful God?
105
The Early Luther
⦿
To help Luther with his difficulties, his
superiors recommended he study theology
● Received his doctorate in 1512
● Became a professor of theology at the university
of Wittenberg, lecturing on the Bible
● Through his study, he found an answer
⦿
To Luther, human beings could not be
saved through good works but through
faith--made possible by the sacrifice of
Jesus on the cross
106
The Early Luther
⦿
⦿
⦿
⦿
The primary doctrine of the Protestant
Reformation was the doctrine of salvation
or justification by grace through faith
Luther found his answer through Bible
study
The Bible, for Luther and the Protestant
Reformation, became the primary source of
truth
Justification and the Bible became the twin
pillars of the Protestant Reformation
107
The Indulgence Controversy
⦿ Luther’s
disagreement with indulgences
forced him to see the theological
implications of justification by faith alone
⦿ Pope Leo X issued a jubilee indulgence
to finance the construction of Saint
Peter’s Basilica
● John Tetzel hawked indulgences in
Germany
● “As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the
soul form purgatory springs”
108
The Indulgence Controversy
⦿
Luther was distressed with selling
indulgences
● Believed them to be assuring their damnation
through purchases of worthless pieces of paper
in his view
● Issued his Ninety-Five Theses
● These were stunning indictment of sale of
indulgences
⦿
⦿
Doubtful Luther wanted to break with the
church over indulgences
He had asked for clarification from the
pope
109
The Indulgence Controversy
⦿ Pope
Leo X didn’t take Luther seriously
⦿ German translation of the theses were
quickly printed and distributed
⦿ Theses received quick German
sympathy with a people dissatisfied with
papal policies and power
110
The Quickening Rebellion
⦿ In
July 1519, Luther debated theologian
Johann Eck In Leipzig
● Luther was forced to move beyond the
indulgence question and to deny the
authority of the popes and councils
● Luther was compelled to see the
consequences of his new theology
⦿ Luther
was convinced he was doing
God’s work and continued on
111
The Quickening Rebellion
⦿
Luther wrote, Address to the Nobility of the
German Nation
● Called on the princes to overthrow the papacy in
Germany and to
● Establish a reform German church
⦿
Luther wrote, Babylonian Captivity of the
Church
● Written in Latin for theologians
● Attacked sacramental system—the means the
pope held hostage the real meaning of the
Gospel
112
The Quickening Rebellion
⦿ Luther
called for the reform of
monasticism and for the clergy to marry
⦿ He wrote, On the Freedom of a Christian
Man
● Treatise on the doctrine of salvation
● Faith alone, not good works, brings salvation
through Jesus
● Good works are done by good men
● “Good works do not make a good man, but a
good man does good works”
113
The Quickening Rebellion
⦿
The Church could not accept Luther’s
dissent of Catholic teachings and they
excommunicated him in January 1521
● Summoned to appear before the Reichstag in
worms
● Expected to recant his doctrines
● Luther refused and made famous reply
○ “…my conscience is captive to the word of God”
○ “…I cannot and will not recant anything”
○ “Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise. God help
me. Amen.”
114
The Quickening Rebellion
⦿ Emperor
Charles was outraged
● “A single friar who goes counter to all
Christianity for a thousand years must be
wrong”
● Luther was made an outlaw within the
empire
● Luther’s works were to be burned and he
was to be delivered to the emperor
115
The Rise of Lutheranism
⦿ Luther
began to organize a reformed
church
⦿ Evangelical sermons on Christ’s return
found favor in Germany
⦿ Public debates and pamphlets also
brought people to his side
⦿ Luther instituted music as a means to
teach the Bible
116
The Spread of Luther’s Ideas
⦿
⦿
Lutheranism spread rapidly throughout
Germany with Nuremberg becoming the
first imperial city to convert around 1525
A series of crises challenged Luther’s
quest
● More radical elements of the movement wanted
to do away with the Mass, relics, and images
altogether
● Others saw Luther’s movement as threatening
the unity of Christendom—older Christians such
as Erasmus broke with Luther
⦿
Younger reformers were supportive
117
The Peasant’s War
⦿ Peasants’
War was Luther’s greatest
challenge
● Peasants didn’t feel the gradual
economic upturn
● Landlords were often abusive
● Social discontent tangled with religious
support
● Peasants looked to Luther for help
● Thomas Muntzer inflamed peasants
against lords
118
The Peasants’ War
⦿ Luther
reacted quickly against the
peasants
● He wrote, Against the Robbing and
Murdering Hordes of Peasants
○ Called on German princes to “smit, slay and
stab” the stupid and stubborn peasantry
○ Luther knew reformation depended on the
supported of the princes and magistrates
○ To Luther, the state and its rulers were
ordained by God—authority was given to keep
the peace so he word of god could be spread
119
The Peasants’ War
⦿ By
May 1525, the German princes had
suppressed the peasant hordes
⦿ Luther found himself more dependent on
state authorities for growth and
maintenance
120
State and Church
⦿
⦿
⦿
Justification by faith alone was starting
point for Protestant doctrines
Luther downplayed good works, forcing the
sacraments to be redefined
Luther kept only two Catholic sacraments:
baptism and the Lord’s Supper
● Baptism signified the rebirth through grace
● Luther denied transubstantiation, the bread and
wine transforms into the body and blood of
Christ
121
State and Church
⦿
The Lord’s Supper…transubstantiation
● Luther continued to insist on the real presence
of Jesus’ body and blood in the bread and wine
given as a testament to God’s forgiveness of sin
⦿
⦿
Luther rejected the Church’s belief the
authority of scripture need be
supplemented by Church traditions and
decrees
The word of God revealed in the Bible was
sufficient
122
State and Church
⦿ Luther
didn’t believe that a hierarchy of
priests was needed, believing in the
“priesthood of all believers”
⦿ Luther accepted the need for a tangible
church, however, if reformation was to
be successful
⦿ Luther depended on the princes and the
state authorities to help with organizing
and guiding the reform church
123
State and Church
⦿
⦿
⦿
The Lutheran churches in Germany soon
became territorial or state churches
State supervised/disciplined church
members
Luther created new services to replace
Mass
● Vernacular liturgy, focusing on Bible reading
● Preaching the word of God and singing songs
⦿
⦿
⦿
Luther married x-nun, Katherina von Bora
Luther had denounced priest celibacy
Luther had a model marriage and family life
124
Germany and the Reformation:
Religion and Politics
⦿
Luther’s movement tied closely to politics
● Charles V reigned over Holy Roman Empire
● Much of Charles land included Austrian
Hapsburg and Bohemian lands
● Charles wished to maintain the unity of the
Catholic Church throughout his lands
⦿
⦿
Charles spent lifetime futilely pursuing
goals
Charles’ problems were the papacy, the
Turks, the French and Germany’s internal
situation
125
Lutheranism in
Scandinavia
⦿ After
becoming king of Sweden, King
Gustavus Vasa led the Lutheran
reformation in his country
⦿ King Frederick of Denmark introduced
Lutheran liturgy into his country and
installed with the king the supreme
authority of all ecclesiastical affairs
⦿ Lutheranism also spread to Norway and
by the 1540s, Scandinavia became a
stronghold of Lutheranism
126
John Calvin and Calvinism
John Calvin was a
theologian and key
organizer of the
Protestant
movement
⦿ Diverse education in
humanities and law
⦿ Influenced by
Luther’s writings
⦿ Experience religious
crisis—God guided
⦿
127
John Calvin and Calvinism
⦿ Calvin
fled France where King Francis
persecuted Protestants
⦿ Calvin published his first edition of
Institutes of the Christian Religion
● Synthesis of Protestant thought
● Immediately secured his reputation as
significant Protestant leader
128
Calvin’s Ideas
⦿ Calvin
stood very close to Luther
● Justification by faith alone
● Absolute sovereignty of God
○ Engaged, omnipresent, vigilant
⦿ Uniquely,
Calvin believe in
predestination
● God had predetermined some people to be
saved (the elect)
● Others were to be damned (the reprobate)
129
Calvin’s Ideas
⦿ Three
tests by Calvin to indicate saving
● Open profession of faith
● Decent and Godly life
● Participation in communion and baptism
⦿ From
the dictates of Calvin, Calvinists were
convinced they were doing God’s work on
earth
⦿ Calvinism became dynamic and the militant
form of Protestantism
130
Calvin’s Ideas
To Calvin, the
church was a divine
institution preaching
God’s word and
performing the
sacraments
⦿ Calvin believed in
Jesus presence at
the Lord’s Supper,
but only in a spiritual
sense
⦿
⦿
Spiritually present at
the Lord’s Supper
131
Calvin’s Geneva
⦿ Establishing
a ministry in Geneva
(1541), the city council accepted his
church constitution—a major success
⦿ His constitution was known as the
Ecclesiastical Ordinances
● Created church government using both
clergy and laymen
● Established the Consistory—a special body
for enforcing moral discipline
132
Calvin’s Geneva
⦿ The
Consistory oversaw the moral life and
doctrinal purity of the Genevans
● Corrections consisted of and evolved from/to
“fraternal corrections”, public penance,
excommunication, banishment, and public
whippings
⦿ Geneva
became vibrant city of Protestantism
⦿ Missionaries trained in Geneva
133
Calvin’s Geneva
By the sixteenth
century, Calvinism
replaced
Lutheranism as the
international form
of Protestantism
and Geneva was
the fortress of the
Reformation
134
Luther’s Excommunication and
the Diet of Worms
• June 27, 1519, Luther debated John Eck in Leipzig,.
• Questioned the infallibility of the pope and the inerrancy of church
councils.
• Appealed to the authority of scripture alone.
• These views were published in 1520.
• Luther was excommunicated on June 15, 1520
• The Diet of Worms
• Presided over by Charles V
• Luther presented his views and was placed under the Imperial ban
as well.
• Luther was forced into hiding, protected by the Elector
Frederick
Luther Looks for Reforms
• Luther criticized Church
practices, like selling
indulgences.
• He wanted to begin a
discussion within the
Church about the true
path to salvation.
• He nailed his NinetyFive Theses, or
arguments, to the door
of Wittenberg cathedral
for all to see.
Protestant Teaching:
Justification by Faith Alone
• The Bible is the
only source of
truth.
• People can read
and understand
the Bible
themselves.
Luther’s Bible
• Salvation comes
only through
faith in Christ.
Lutheranism
• Luther’s followers
disagreed with many
of the teachings of
the Catholic Church.
• They rejected the
authority of Church
councils and the
pope.
• Reading the Bible
was the only way to
learn how to lead a
good life.
Luther translated
the Bible into
German
✞Lived from 1483-1546 in
Germany
✞Father encouraged him to
study law
✞A sudden religious
experience inspired him to
become a monk
✞He became troubled over the
possibility of not going to
heaven
✞He turned to the Bible, and
confession for comfort
✞In the Bible he found the
answer he was looking for
“The righteous shall by his faith.”
Luther realized that only faith (in
the ultimate goodness of Jesus), not
good deeds, could save a person. No
good works, rituals, etc. would save a
person if they did not believe.
✞A list of things he thought
were wrong with the Catholic
Church (95 Complaints)
✞He criticized:
✞The Power of the Pope
✞The Extreme Wealth of the
Church
✞Indulgences (Catholic
concept of Salvation)
✞The Diet of Worms
✞1520 Pope Leo X order Luther to give
up his beliefs
✞Luther burned the order and was
excommunicated
✞Luther went into hiding where he
translated the New Testament into
German – spreading his beliefs even
further
✞He was the Pope during the
height of the corruption
✞Some Local German Churches
accepted Luther’s ideas
✞Lutheranism was formed
✞Supported by German Princes who
issued a formal “protest” against the
Church for suppressing the reforms
✞The reformers came to be known as
[PROTEST]ants - Protestants
13.3 – The Protestant Reformation
□
Luther Challenges the Church
■
■
Martin Luther*
■ German Monk
■ Protests sale of indulgences*
95 Theses* (1517) – posted in
Wittenberg, Germany
■ Arguments against the
Church*
■ Begins Reformation*
□
Movement for religious
reform
13.3 – The Protestant
Reformation
Response to Luther
□
1521 – Pope Leo X excommunicated Luther
■
■
□
□
Called Luther to the diet (assembly)* in
Worms
Luther refused to recant – declared an
outlaw
Establishment of new church
Lutherans call themselves Protestants*
■
■
“protest papal authority”
Christian belonging to a non-Catholic church*
Calls for Church Reform
•
•
•
Reformation – many wanted to
“reform” the Catholic church
Many believed the church taxed
people too heavily and spent lavishly
Indulgences – sold by the church to
reduce a punishment for sin
Martin Luther
•
•
•
•
•
1517 – challenged the Catholic
Church and led a movement known as
Protestantism (to Protest)
Believed that only faith = salvation
Ninety Five Theses – arguments
against indulgences (Wittenberg)
Excommunicated by Pope
Created his own denomination
(branch)
Section 3
Renaissance and Reformation
Martin Luther
Martin Luther’s public criticism of the church in 1517 marks the
symbolical beginning of the Protestant Reformation.
The Ninety-Five Theses
• Martin Luther believed selling
indulgences sinful
• In theses, said indulgences
had no power to remit sin
• Criticized power of pope,
wealth of church
• Theses written in Latin,
intended for church leaders,
not common people
Stimulated Discussion
• Nailing theses to church door
common practice; doors used
like community bulletin boards
• Theses stimulated discussion
among university intellectuals
• Published, distributed across
Europe, widely read by
intellectuals, clergy, laypeople
• Desire for reform grew
Renaissance and Reformation
Section 3
Luther’s Message
• Following publication of theses, Luther continued to study, debate
• Contradicted basic Catholic beliefs, insisted God’s grace cannot be
won by good works; faith alone needed
• 1519, declared only head of Christian Church was Jesus, not pope
Empowered the People
• Insisted that individual Christians should be own interpreters of
scripture, Christian practices should come only from Bible
• To aid this process, Luther translated Bible into German
• Translation allowed more people to read Bible without aid of clergy
Renaissance and Reformation
Section 3
Identify Supporting Details
Describe the ideas of Martin Luther and how
they contradicted the church’s teachings of
his day.
Answer(s): God's grace cannot be won by good
works but by faith; leader of church is Jesus, not
pope; people can interpret scripture; practices
come from Bible; challenged Catholic practices
and the authority of the pope
MARTIN
LUTHER
Wild Boar
In the Vineyard
Martin Luther’s Confession
■
Tormented by sensitivity
to sin nature
■
Extreme asceticism:
prayer,
fasts, sleep deprivation,
cold, whipping himself
■
Constantly in confession
■
Luther: “If ever a monk
got to heaven by his
monkery, I was that
monk!”
Martin Luther’s Trip to Rome
■
Abbot Staupitz sent Luther
on pilgrimage to Rome
■
Luther visited holiest
places; crawled up
Pilate’s staircase
■
Luther observed
priests & bishops
acting immorally
& abusing their power
■
Luther: “I went with onions & returned with
garlic”
Martin Luther’s Discovery
■
Next Staupitz sent Luther to Wittenberg as
theology professor
■
1515, great discovery: Rom. 1:17
■
Gospel is revelation of justice of God
■
To Luther, justice of God was unbearable; yet,
Gospel linked to God’s justice
■
Justice does not refer to punishment of sinners;
righteousness is given to those who live by faith
■
Justification is the free gift of God
to sinners: righteousness is imputed by God who
justifies humans by their faith in Jesus Christ
“Here I felt as if I were entirely born again and had
entered paradise itself through gates that had been
flung open. The whole of Scripture gained a new
meaning. And from that
point on the phrase the
‘justice of God’ no longer
filled me with hatred, but
rather became unspeakably
sweet by virtue of a great
love”
Controversy over Indulgences
■
Leo X sold
archbishopric of Mainz
to Albert of
Brandenburg to raise
money to build St.
Peter’s
■
Albert hired John Tetzel
to sell indulgences
■
Tetzel: “As soon as a
coin in the coffer rings,
a soul from purgatory
springs”
95 Theses
■
95 Theses written against
the sale of indulgences
■
Nailed to the door of the
Castle Church in
Wittenberg on
October 31, 1517
■
95 Theses translated,
printed, & distributed
throughout Germany
within 2 weeks
4 Attempts to Silence Luther
■
Heidelberg Disputation (May 1518)
■
■
■
■
Luther was put on trial before Augustinian General
Council
Introduced “Theology of the Cross”:
■
Centrality of Cross
■
Only Jesus can forgive sins
■
Be willing to become nothing for God’s glory
Attacked scholastic theology, which he called
“Theology of Glory” – those who hate the cross &
love works in order to obtain earthly glory
Martin Bucer attended & was persuaded
4 Attempts to Silence Luther
Leo X offered Luther
position of Cardinal
if he would be silent
“How dare they try
to buy me off!”
4 Attempts to Silence Luther
■
■
■
Cardinal Cajetan, Dominican papal legate,
was sent to stifle Luther
Luther presented written arguments
■
Pope was not infallible
■
Authority of council was superior to pope
■
Sacraments apart from faith cannot save
■
Justification by faith was scriptural
■
Appealed to Bible as supreme authority
Cajetan published order for Luther’s arrest
4 Attempts to Silence Luther
■
Leipzig Disputation (July 1519)
■
■
■
■
■
John Maier of Eck vs. Luther
Luther bested Eck through citation of Scripture by
memory to prove that Christ, not pope, is head of
church
Eck accused Luther of being “Saxon Huss”
At first Luther denied charge; during intermission,
he researched Huss; came back to say: “We are all
Hussites if we believe the Bible to be true”
Luther’s affirmation of Huss, convicted heretic,
was dangerous admission
4 Attempts to Silence Luther
■
■
Why was Luther not killed in order to
silence him?
He was protected by
Frederick the Wise,
who was able to
manipulate pope &
emperor
Three Treatises of 1520
■
An Address to the Christian Nobility of
the German Nation
■
Attacked Three Walls pope erected around
Scripture
■
■
■
■
Spiritual power of pope is above temporal
powers of magistrates (preventing magistrates
from instituting reform)
Interpretation of Scripture belongs only to
pope
Only pope can call council
Insisted on “priesthood of believer”
Three Treatises of 1520
■
The Babylonian Captivity of the Church
■
■
Attacked sacramental system
Affirmed 3 sacraments: baptism, Eucharist
& penance (later affirmed only first 2)
■
■
■
Denied transubstantiation but affirmed real
presence (consubstantiation)
Mass was not sacrifice but testament
Faith is real element that gives value to
sacraments
Three Treatises of 1520
■
The Freedom of a Christian
■
■
■
Exposition of relationship between faith &
works
Devotional work that shows that new
person in Christ lives not to himself/
herself, but in Christ & for neighbor
Emphasized priesthood of believer
Papal Bull of Excommunication
■
1520, Luther was
threatened by
papal bull: “Arise,
O Lord, a wild boar
is loose in the
vineyard”
■
Luther burned
papal document
plus entire canon
law
“Since they have burned my books,” he said, “I
burn theirs.”
Diet of Worms (April 17-18, 1521)
■
Charles V, HRE & king
of Spain: “Surely one
individual could not
call into doubt the
tradition of the entire
church?”
■
Luther was ordered to
recant his books
“Unless I can be instructed and convinced with evidence
from the Holy Scriptures or with open, clear, and distinct
ground of reasoning, my conscience is captive to the Word
of God. I cannot and will not recant, because it is neither
safe nor wise to act against conscience. I can do no other.
Here I stand. God help me. Amen”
German Bible
■
New Testament:
translated in 11 weeks
■
Old Testament &
entire Bible in 1534
■
Significance of the German Bible
■
Prompted Bible study & spread of Reformation
■
Popularized vernacular in other languages
■
Beginning of increased production of Bibles
■
Improved literacy
■
Unified German language: Luther = “Father of Modern
German Language”
4 Incidents that Limited
Luther’s Reformation
■
Andreas Bodenstein “Karlstadt”
(1480-1541)
■
Led reform in Luther’s absence
■
Celebrated radical mass on Christmas 1521
■
■
Without vestments
■
Integrated German
■
No reference to sacrifice
■
No elevation of host
■
Bread & wine both given
Instigated iconoclastic riots
& removed images from
churches
4 Incidents that Limited
Luther’s Reformation
■
Andreas Bodenstein “Karlstadt” (1480-1541)
■
People were nerve-shattered by radical
mass & iconoclastic riots
■
Luther returned to Wittenberg
■
Karlstadt was expelled from Saxony
4 Incidents that Limited
Luther’s Reformation
■
Zwickau Prophets
■
■
Lay movement of men studying Scripture in
Zwickau, Saxony
Tenets:
■
■
■
■
Questioned infant baptism
Emphasized immediate inspiration over biblical
revelation (Spiritualistic Reformation)
Influenced by Taborites (militant Bohemian Hussites)
with revolutionary eschatology
Arrived in Wittenberg just after Christmas 1521
■
■
Supported by Karlstadt
Luther discerned their spirit to be “of the devil” &
expelled them
4 Incidents that Limited
Luther’s Reformation
■
Thomas Müntzer (1489-1525)
■
■
■
Follower of Zwickau Prophets
Became critical of Luther, when
Luther did not go far enough
with Reformation
Advocated revolutionary means
to obtain social justice
4 Incidents that Limited
Luther’s Reformation
■
Peasants’ Revolt
■
■
■
■
Peasants discontent over economic
suppression
Luther’s Freedom of a Christian taught
priesthood of believer, interpreted as egalitarian
society
Müntzer incited peasants against authorities &
asked Wittenberg for help; Luther refused
1525, Catholic & Lutheran forces defeated
peasants, beheaded Müntzer
4 Incidents that Limited
Luther’s Reformation
■
Peasants’ Revolt
■
Luther’s Reaction:
■
First, pled for princes to deal mercifully with
peasants
■
Then, wrote Against the Robbing & Marauding
Hordes of Peasants: “Smite, stab, slay the
peasants!”
■
Divorced himself from peasants in order not to
impugn Reformation
■
But lost faith in common people & weakened his
base of support from them
Wittenberg
■
After his return to
Wittenberg, he continued
work of Reformation &
established Lutheran
Church
■
Wrote commentaries on
every book except
Revelation
■
Wrote Large & Small
Catechisms
■
Wrote hymns (“Mighty
Fortress Is Our God”)
Debate with Erasmus
■
Erasmus desired moral reform of
Catholic Church & helped pave way
for Reformation, but was unwilling
to break from Catholic Church
■
Compared to Augustinianism of Luther, Erasmus’
theology was tinged with Pelagianism
■
Luther’s The Bondage of the Will (1525) vs. Erasmus’
On Free Will (1524)
■
Salvation by grace alone not by an act of the will (using
sacraments and doing works).
■
Predestination: The hidden and revealed wills of God.
■
God produces a passive disposition, not a free will.
A Monk Re-Invents Family Life
■
Marriage to Katherine von Bora
(Martin was 41)
■
■
Established model for
Protestant Parsonage
■
Parents of 6 children
Frederick the Wise
gave them Luther’s
former Augustinian
cloister as a wedding
present; Katie remodeled it as hotel for income
Luther’s Wit & Wisdom on Marriage
■
There’s a lot to get used to in the
first year of marriage. One wakes
up in the morning and finds a pair
of pigtails on the pillow that were
not there before.
■
If I should ever marry again, I would
hew myself an obedient wife out of stone.
■
In domestic affairs I defer to Katie. Otherwise, I am
led by the Holy Spirit.
■
According to one story, Luther locked himself in his
study for 3 days, until Katie took the door off the
hinges.
Protestants vs. Catholics
■
■
First Diet of Speyer (1526)
■
New policy: Cujus regio, eius religio (“whose region,
his religion”); ruler’s personal religion dictates his
subjects’ religion
■
Within 3 years, most of N. Germany became
Lutheran: state church
Second Diet of Speyer (1529)
■
Roman Catholics free in Lutheran territories;
Lutherans not free in Roman Catholic territories
■
Lutheran princes wrote Protestations; hence,
“Protestant Reformation”
Protestants vs. Catholics
■
Marbourg Colloquy (1529)
■
■
■
Philip of Hesse wanted to unify all
Protestants
Arranged meeting between Luther & Zwingli
to unite German & Swiss Protestants
Major doctrinal difference was over Lord’s
Supper
■
■
■
Luther – real presence; Zwingli – memorial
Luther wrote Hoc est meum corpum on table &
would not budge
Agreement & alliance could not be achieved
Protestants vs. Catholics
■
Diet of Augsburg (1530)
■
Charles V needed unity against Turkish threat
& attempted reconciliation of Protestants &
Catholics
■
Luther could not
attend because
Edict of Worms
was still in effect
Protestants vs. Catholics
■
Diet of Augsburg (1530)
■
Melanchthon & Luther composed Augsburg
Confession
■
Justification by faith
■
Faith not just mental assent
■
New life in Christ produces good works by God’s
grace, not good deeds of merit for salvation
■
German princes signed; RCC gave one year to
recant
■
But war with Turks occupied HRE for 16 yrs.
Martin Luther’s Death
■
1546, Luther died:
“When I die, I’m
going to come back
as a ghost & haunt
the popes & his
bishops. They’ll
have far more
trouble with the
dead Luther than
they ever had with
the live one.”
Martin Luther’s Successor
■
Philip Melanchthon
was named
successor
■
Real name:
Schwarzerd, “Black
Earth”, Greek:
melan chthon
■
Attended Marbourg
Colloquy; coauthored Augsburg
Confession
Martin Luther’s Legacy
■
Salvation: justification by grace through faith
■
Lord’s Supper: consubstantiation – Christ’s
presence with the elements
■
Infant baptism
■
Priesthood of the believer
■
Union of church & state –
to retain support of
German princes
■
Anti-semitism
Martin Luther’s Legacy
Principles of Reformation
■
Sola Scriptura
■
Sola Fide
■
Sola Gratia
■
Sola Christus
Lutheranism
1. Faith in Jesus, not good works brings
salvation
2. The Bible is the final source of truth
about god, not priests.
3. Church is all believers, not just the
clergy
Martin Luther
• Planned to be a lawyer
• Theology teacher at
University of Wittenberg
• “The just shall live by
faith.” Romans (1:17)
– Salvation by faith
• 95 Theses – abuses of the
church - indulgences
• Diet of Worms – Luther is
declared an outlaw and
excommunicated from the
church
95 Theses
Lutheranism
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
“ Sola Fide” - Salvation by faith
“Sola scriptura” – truth lies in the Bible
“Sola gratia” – free gift of God’s grace - sacraments
German Kings created their own church
Services, not mass – reading the Bible, preaching and
hymns – everyone equal – baptism and Eucharist
6. German translation of Bible - Guttenberg
7. Abolished monasteries and celibacy of clergy – Luther
would marry a former nun
Lutheranism
• Peasants’ Revolt – crop failures
– Luther did not support the
peasants
• Holy Roman Emperor Charles V
- Catholic
• Diet of Augsburg – 1530
• War in 1546
• 1555 - Peace of Augsburg
– German prince right to determine
religion of his state
• Lutheran or Roman Catholic
• No recognition of Calvinists or
Anabaptists
– Lutheranism dominant in
northern Germany and
Scandinavia
The Protestant Reformation
1517 – ca.1564
How and why are these two churches different?
Reform in
Germany, 1517–
1555
• The pattern of religious
reform in Germany was
complex. Although some
territorial princes, such as
the dukes of Bavaria,
rejected reform, most free
towns, particularly those in
the southwest, adopted it.
Copyright (c) Houghton Mifflin Company. All Rights Reserved.
“The Complaint of the Godless Against Luther”
(Hans Behem, 1524)