The Lutheran Reformation

 

 

Why did Luther’s Reformation Succeed?

 

Wycliffe, Hus, and Erasmus paved the way for Luther. Erasmus “laid the egg” for the Reformation, and Luther hatched it.

 

The Church took a hit in power and prestige.

·        Julius II (warrior pope)

·        Leo X (“Since God has given us the papacy, let us enjoy it.”)

 

Church Abuses and Corruption

·        Simony (ability to purchase a church position)

·        Absenteeism (accepting/taking a position and receiving the income w/o ever doing the job)

·        Pluralism (holding multiple positions for multiple incomes)

·        Clerical Ignorance (sent priests in their stead w/little training; they can’t read, write, or speak Latin, etc.)

·        Immorality (concubines, orgies, bullfights, etc.)

 

Nationalism

·        Popes are usually Italian. Many wanted to rid their countries of the influence of the pope and from the influence and control of Rome

 

The Holy Roman Empire is unable to resist encroachment upon the Church

 

Breaking with the Church allows rulers to seize the Church’s lands and wealth

 

The Printing Press allows rapid spread of Reformation ideals, and also encourages literacy.

 

What was Martin Luther’s Problem?

 

·        Luther does *anything* possible to reduce the number of years he will supposedly spend in Purgatory and to atone for his sins. However, no matter what he did, he always had the uncertainty that nothing he did would ever be enough to make up for the sins.

 

“I did not love, indeed I hated this just God who punished sinners!”

 –Luther (He feels he cannot meet God’s standards)

 

The Tower Experience

 

“He who is righteous through faith shall live.” –Romans 1:17

 

This quote becomes Luther’s “gateway to paradise.” He now sees God as being just and merciful. He realizes that it is not what he does but what the believes that is important.

 

Justification by Faith (sola fide)

 

He now becomes more confident and challenges the church. He says one achieves salvation by believing and trusting in God, not through “Good Works.”

 

What were “Good Works?”

 

·        Obeying the 10 Commandments

·        Prayer

·        Receiving the Sacrifices

·        Charity

·        Pilgrimages to Holy Sites

·        Physical Suffering (Mortification)

·        Contact with Relics

·        Purchase of Indulgences

 

So What “were” M.L.’s  Problems?

 

1.       The Veneration of Relics

·        Reduced time in Purgatory

2.      The Sale of Indulgences

·        Used to raise $ for church, and to reduce time in purgatory

·        There was a big push under Julius II à Leo X to raise $ to rebuild St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome

·        Johann Tetzel – “As soon as gold in the basin rings, right then the soul to Heaven springs.”

 

The 95 Theses

 

It was the Spark that started the Reformation. It was posted on the Church Door on the day that people were coming to view some of the 17,000 relics.

 

From Debate to Revolt

 

Luther has the support of the ruler of Saxony, Frederick the Wise.

·        He made sure that Luther was not set to Rome for trial and has to stay in the HRE

·        Hides Luther when he is condemned by the HR Emperor

 

Luther Plays the Race Card/Nationalism

 

The “glorious teutonic people” (Germans) should not be ruled by the Italians

 

Ensurge Doctrine – (Leo X) Luther has 60 days to recant his beliefs or he will be excommunicated

 

Now there is war between the Lutherans in the HRE and the Papacy in Italy

 

Diet of Worms (Verms)

 

Luther does not recant when he is told to by Charles V

He is taken from the Diet after he refused to recant

 

To be continued…