Focus Paper #4
October 8, 2007
This selection of readings focused particularly on Martin Luther and the events that led up to the eventual Protestant Reformation which resulted from his actions. He wrote his 95 Theses and posted them on the Church door – although it is debatable whether he literally posted them, or mailed (posted) them. Either way, the effect that his writing had was tremendous. There was much uproar as a result, and authorities were against him and wanted him to appear in Rome for a trial and debate about everything he had protested. One of the things which his 95 Theses focused on was the selling of indulgences, and how they should not be allowed because they should not be the way that a person is able to repent for his sins, and should not be able to absolve all sins. One claim that some of the indulgence sellers, such as Tetzel, made was that even if someone committed a sin as great as “violating the mother of God” (75), that this person could simply buy an indulgence and his sin would be revoked. Another thing which Luther refuted in his 95 Theses was the actions of the Pope and Catholic Church, and also how money was being collected through the indulgences in order to finish construction work on various buildings. He felt that the Pope should use his own money for such situations. Luther also addressed how the Popes paralleled themselves with God and how if they were to approve of something (such as indulgences, etc), then God too would approve.
When Luther did meet with the authorities about his action of posting his 95 Theses and their response to his writing, one of the things which came about was that they wanted Luther to revoke what he had written and say that he had been wrong in what he said. However, Luther refused to do such a thing and would not go back on his beliefs. The result of this was that he was excommunicated and had to leave the area (he was placed under “imperial ban”). However, instead of leaving, he went into hiding with the help of a friend, Prince Frederick, and lived for a year disguised as a knight in Frederick’s Wartburg Castle (he was captured on his way back to Wittenberg by Frederick’s order).
I can not imagine what it would be like to be Luther during this time. He was simply voicing his opinion, and ended up in front of the high courts and the pope in a religious debate. It is likely that many of the things which he disagreed with, others disagreed with as well. It does not seem like he was expecting to cause the effects which he did on society and religion as a whole. Rather, he may have wanted something done about things such as indulgences and the like, but I do not think this was his main purpose in writing – to actually get something done. I think he had just decided to voice his opinion and let it be known that the actions of the Church were not all pure. However, in so doing, the effects were much larger than any which may have otherwise been imagined. They were so large, in fact, that a whole period of reform ensued not long after. Luther had become an idol to many and had many followers and those who studied his writings and followed his beliefs.
I am anxious to continue on in the reading about Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation. I want to see if he played an active role in the Reformation, or if it was more his ideas which were the most active. Did he lead the rebellion against the Catholic Church, or was it those who studied and practiced his beliefs that did so? Either way, I am definitely interested in learning the details of the Reformation. I think Luther was right in what he wrote, and I want to see the actions which came about as a result.
