Luther’s impact on Western Civilization

The Protestant

Reformation

Today’s Goals

• Causes of the Reformation

• Impact of Reformation of Western Civilization

• Mad (Historical) Skills

The Protestant Reformation

• 16th Century split from Roman Catholic Church

• initiated by Martin Luther

• Protestant Christian religions emerged

• Lutheranism, Calvinism, Anglicanism emerge

• Other Sects grown from Protestantism– Methodists, Anabaptists, Hugeonots, Puritans

Long Term Causes• Social Causes

– Renaissance values of humanism and secularism made people question Church

• Technological Causes– Guttenberg’s printing press

allowed ideas to spread• Economic Causes

– Northern European princes and merchants resented Church taxes (tithes)

• Political Causes– Resented Papacy’s power

within their territories• Religious Causes

– Avignon Papacy, Babylonian Captivity, Great Schism weakened Church

– Corruption of Church officials• Simony, pluralism, sale of

indulgences

Pope Alexander VI (1492-1503) of the Borgia Family

Pope Leo X of the Medici Family

Sketch of St. Peter’s Basilica by Michelangelo

Wittenberg, Germany October 1517

The Spark

Martin Luther• German Catholic Augustinian

Monk• Major conversion moment

during lightning storm• Earned doctorate in theology• Extremely pious, serious

about his own salvation• Sent to Rome to calm his

despair over his unworthiness

• Shocked over corruption of Catholicism in Rome

Portraits of Hans and Margarethe Luther

Luther as an Augustinian monk

Head of John the Baptist Relic

The Spark• Indulgences

– Document which Papacy claimed would absolve Christians of sin

• St. Peter’s Basilica

– Massive Catholic cathedral in Vatican

– Pope Leo X needed money to finish construction

• Johann Tetzel (1465-1519)

– German friar who was authorized to sell indulgences (for St. Peters)

– Used high pressure sales tactics on German peasants

• “As soon as gold in the basin rings, the souls in purgatory spring”

95 Thesis• Luther’s Response

– 95 Theses (10/31/1517)• Criticized sale of indulgences/

papal wealth/papal authority• Written in Latin• Common method to spark debate

among theologians• Leipzig Debate

– Johann Eck v. Luther– Luther denied Papal infallibility,

criticized corruption & opulence of Pope

• Excommunicated by Papal Bull in 1521• 95 Thesis mass produced via printing

press

Luther Blogs

Address the Christian Nobility of the German Nation (1520), Source: Martin Luther, German Catholic priest and theologian

. . Poor Germans that we are--we have been deceived! We were born to be masters, and we have been compelled to bow the head beneath the yoke of our tyrants, and to become slaves. Name, title, outward signs of royalty, we possess all these; force, power, right, liberty, all these have gone over to the popes, who have robbed us of them. They get the kernel, we get the husk . . . It is time the glorious Teutonic people should cease to be the puppet of the Roman pontiff. ..

POV•Who?

•When?

•Where?

•What?

•How?

•Why????

Luther’s Theology & Implications• Faith Alone

– Rejected idea that “good works” & indulgences needed for Salvation

– Salvation is freely given by God• Bible ultimate authority

– Rejected idea that Papal Bulls held spiritual weight

– Translated Bible into German– Only 2 sacraments

• Priesthood of All Believers– Said that each individual is spiritually

equal in eyes of God– Rejects spiritual hierarchy– Obligated to save own soul

• Rejects celibacy/ praises marriage & motherhood

• Secular rulers are supreme authority in all matters except theological

The Wartburg room where Luther translated the New Testament into

German.

Begin at minute 22

On Christian Liberty (1520)Source: Martin Luther, German Catholic priest and

theologian, “open letter” to Pope Leo X

Christian man is the most free lord of all, and subject to none; a Christian man is the most dutiful servant of all, and subject to every one.Although these statements appear contradictory, yet, when they are found to agree together, they will make excellently for my purpose. They are both the statements of Paul himself, who says, "Though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all" (1 Cor. ix. 19), and "Owe no man anything, but to love one another" (Rom. xiii. 8). Now love is by its own nature dutiful and obedient to the beloved object. Thus even Christ, though Lord of all things, was yet made of a woman; made under the law; at once free and a servant; at once in the form of God and in the form of a servant.

POV•Who?

•When?

•Where?

•What?

•How? (Tone)

•Why????

Point of View• Clearly one must consider the position of the author in

this doc because as a __________ the author would naturally favor

• One must consider the motive of the author in this doc because as a ___________ he stands to gain _________

• (It makes sense/ It is surprising) that ________________ feels this way because as a ________________ he would naturally favor _____________________

• This document is (insightful/ valuable/ must be taken with caution) because it illustrates the

• One must take note of (the tone, the occasion) for which this doc is written because ___________

Other tips to consider• Position

– Consider who wrote the doc– Are they an eyewitness to the event?

• If so, this is usually a valuable source– Would they be in a position to know what they’re talking about?

• A noble writing about peasant life or vice versa may not be a very reliable source• Tone

– Does the author use emotional language, fiery rhetoric– If so, this source must be taken with caution, especially in a speech or open letter

• Occasion– Is it a public speech, an open letter meant for the public to see

• Anything said or written to the public is usually carefully worded an meant to sway public opinion

• It may not really reflect what the author or public felt• Is it a memoir

– Written years later– Could be a valuable source (careful reflection years later)– Could be a apologist (make excuses for past mistakes)

• Is it a diary– Usually a very reliable source in terms of how the person really felt

Diet of Worms (1521)• Charles V

– Emperor of Holy Roman Empire

– promised no subject excommunicated without a trial

• Luther placed on trial at Diet of Worms

• Luther ordered to recant his beliefs– He refused

• Speech asserted freedom of conscience

• Luther branded an outlaw

• Luther kidnapped by Elector Frederick III

Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures 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. To go against conscience is neither right nor safe. I cannot and will not recant. May God help me. Amen.

Diet of Worms

Protestantism• Luther hid under protection of Frederick of

Saxony– Translated Bible into German

• Democratizes religion!!!!• Encourages literacy!!!!!

• Northern German princes turned to Lutheranism– Way to stop Church authority– Opportunity to seize lands– Liked Address to the Christian Nobility of

the German Nation (1520)• Diet of Speyer (1529) Charles V orders Luther

and his followers arrested• Princes issue defiant PROTEST

– Hence the term Protestant– Form the League of Schmalkaden in 1531

• Allied with French King Francis I (who ironically was Catholic) against HRE

The Swabian Peasant Uprising (1525)• Crop failures in 1523-24 furthered

aggrieved peasants burdened by nobles’ rents

• Peasant Revolts– Twelve Articles (1525) – Used Biblical scripture to justify

rebellion– Inspired by Luther’s On Christian

Liberty• Christian man is the most free

lord of all, and subject to none– Demanded social and economic

equality• Demand an end to serfdom,

tithes, feudalism

The Twelve Articles of the Swabian Peasants (March 1525) Source: Authored by peasant Sebastian Lotzer and signed by a

committee representing 25 villages pertaining to the city of Memmingen, Swabia region of Württemberg.

The Seventh Article : {We will} not hereafter allow ourselves to be farther oppressed by our lords, but will let them demand only what is just and proper according to the word of the agreement between the lord and the peasant. The lord should no longer try to force more services or other dues from the peasant without payment, but permit the peasant to enjoy his holding in peace and quiet. The peasant should, however, help the lord when it is necessary, and at proper times when it will not be disadvantageous to the peasant and for a suitable payment.

Other tips to consider• Position

– Consider who wrote the doc– Are they an eyewitness to the event?

• If so, this is usually a valuable source– Would they be in a position to know what they’re talking about?

• A noble writing about peasant life or vice versa may not be a very reliable source• Tone

– Does the author use emotional language, fiery rhetoric– If so, this source must be taken with caution, especially in a speech or open letter

• Occasion– Is it a public speech, an open letter meant for the public to see

• Anything said or written to the public is usually carefully worded an meant to sway public opinion

• It may not really reflect what the author or public felt• Is it a memoir

– Written years later– Could be a valuable source (careful reflection years later)– Could be a apologist (make excuses for past mistakes)

• Is it a diary– Usually a very reliable source in terms of how the person really felt

• What does the author Want?– Motive

• (It makes sense/ It is surprising) that ________________ feels this way because as a ________________ he would naturally favor _____________________

• This document is (insightful/ valuable/ must be taken with caution) because it illustrates the

Luther’s Response• At first supported then later

condemned the revolts• Against the Murdering

Thieving Hordes of Peasants(1525)– Luther condemned the

peasants as devils– Used scripture to

repudiate Twelve Articles– Believed that rebellion

would lead to end of civilization

– Calls for their liquidation• Why did he side with the

Lords?

Women and priests retrieve the dead bodies of Swabian soldiers just outside the city gates of Constance after the Battle of Triboltingen in the Swabian War

Click for Clip

Against the Murdering Thieving Hordes of Peasants (1525) Source: Martin Luther, leader of the Protestant Reformation

following the murder of High Governor, count Ludwig Helferich of Helfenstein, addressed to the princes of

Germany • With threefold horrible sins against God and men have these peasants loaded themselves, for which they have deserved a manifold death of body and soul.

• First they have sworn to their true and gracious rulers to be submissive and obedient, in accord with God's command (Matt. xxii. 21), "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's," and (Rom. xiii. 1), "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers." But since they have deliberately an sacrilegiously abandoned their obedience, and in addition have dared to oppose their lords, they have thereby forfeited body an soul, as perfidious (deceitful), perjured, lying, disobedient wretches and scoundrels are wont to do. Wherefore St. Paul judges them, saying (Rom. xiii. 2.), "And they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation." The peasants will incur this sentence, sooner or later; for God wills that fidelity and allegiance shall be sacredly kept.

• (It makes sense/ It is surprising) that ________________ feels this way because as a ________________ he would naturally favor _____________________

Impact of Luther’s Theology• Spiritual Equality

• Individual’s Freedom of Conscience

• Encouraged literacy

• Raised status of women

• Leads to other religions

Rembrandt van Rijn (Dutch painter, 1629Rembrandt’s Mother Reading

Appeal of Protestant Ideas• Luther

– Skill with language– Translated Bible into German– Became standard German dialect

• His ideas spread rapidly due to Printing Press• Christian Humanist

– Attracted to Luther’s stress on simpler, more personal religion, centrality of scripture, end of elaborate ceremonies

• Educated– attracted to stress on reading, education

• Townspeople– resented Catholic Church wealth, Tithes

• Secular Rulers– Liked Luther’s stress on obedience to

secular rulers

Marriage and Sexuality• Celibacy against human nature according

to Luther• Married former nun, Katharina von Bora• Had several children• Model of proper Christian family• Protestantism denied that marriage was a

sacrament but said had to be ordained by God to be a Proper marriage

• Men and Women are Spiritual equality• But maintained social hierarchy

– Husband authority of household & must be obeyed

– Urged to be kind to wife but may use physical force if necessary (breaking a horse)

• Marriage viewed as created by God to aid human weakness– Couples who had bad marriage

endangered own soul and communities

• Allowed divorce (as a last resort)

Protestant Impact on Status of Women• Many educated nothern European women

were attracted to Luther’s theology– Elevated status of marriage, women in

general• Argula von Grumbach

– Aristocratic woman who called on women to speak out on theological matters (priesthood of all believers)

• Prostitution condemned • City brothels closed (except Italy)

– Moved outside city• Overall impact

– Mostly positive– But convent (Catholic) did provide some

upper class women with literary, artistic opportunity and medical security

– Closure of convents made marriage the only occupation for women

– Unmarried women (and men) became suspect!!!

• IE. Witches

Letter from noblewoman, Argula von Grumbach to University of Ingolstadt concerning Arsacius Seehofer, the young teacher who

had been arrested for Protestant views and forced to recant• What have Luther and Melanchthon taught save the Word of

God? You have condemned them. You have not refuted them. Where do you read in the Bible that Christ, the apostles, and the prophets imprisoned, banished, burned, or murdered anyone? You tell us that we must obey the magistrates. Correct. But neither the pope, nor the Kaiser, not the princes have any authority over the Word of God. You need not think you can pull God, the prophets and the apostles out of heaven with papal decretals drawn from Aristotle, who was not a Christian at all. . . . You seek to destroy all of Luther's works. In that case you will have to destroy the New Testament, which he has translated. In the German writings of Luther and Melanchthon I have found nothing heretical. . . Even if Luther should recant, what he has said would still be the Word of God. I would be willing to come and dispute with you in German…

• I send you not a woman's ranting, but the Word of God. I write as a member of the Church of Christ against which the gates of hell shall not prevail. . .

• —Argula von Grumbach, 1523

POV•Who?

•When?

•Where?

•What?

•How?

•Why????

• (It makes sense/ It is surprising) that ________________ feels this way because as a ________________ he would naturally favor _____________________