Luther’s Revolt

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j89_BAh2Q3M&edufilter=scO_Mq_iPeSU9rbqR5CtTQ&safe=active

Luther’s Revolt

• Circulation of a German translation of the 95 Thesis began to spread across Europe

• Pope Leo X ordered Luther to stop protest, but Luther was protected by a German prince, Frederick of Saxony

Luther’s Excommunication and the Diet of Worms

• 1520—Luther burned the Pope Leo X’s papal bull demanding recantation and was excommunicated on June 15, 1520

• 1521—Luther called to the Diet of Worms in Germany– Presided over by HRE Charles V of Spain with the

power to condemndeath– Charles V asked, “Do you or do you not repudiate your books

and errors they contain?”– Luther said “I neither can nor will I recant anything, since it is

neither right nor safe to act against conscience.”• Luther was banned and forced into hiding, protected

by the Elector Frederick the Wise of Saxony

Luther’s Response

• Translated the Bible into German• With his followers established a new church

based on Luther’s ideas and free of the pope• Guidelines of Luther’s new church– Two sacraments (baptism and communion)– No more monasticism (religiously devoted life)– No clergy celibacy

1515: Selling of indulgences

• Johann Tetzel sold indulgences to repay debt borrowed for St. Peter’s Basilica

1517: Martin Luther’s 95 Theses

• Luther questioned the authenticity of the sale of indulgences

1518: Luther’s ideas discussed

• Luther raised questions on the authority of the Church; discussed among theologians

1518: The Elector of Saxony protected Luther

• To show Charles V his independence and rights, Elector protected Luther as one of his subjects

1519: Luther debated Johann Eck

• Eck, leading theologian, was challenged by Luther to debate his position

Luther rallied public opinion

• Eck accused Luther of heresy; Luther began to spread his word and vision of the Church in German

1520: Pope excommunicated Luther

• Luther’s ideas were considered dangerous to the unity of the Church

1520: Luther burned the excommunication decree

• Luther burnt the papal bull

1520-21: Luther became a civil outlaw

• The HRE and the Catholic Church were closely united. Luther was a heretic and civil criminal

1521: Diet of Worms

• Meeting of the lords of the HRE; Luther refused to rescind his positions