Transcript Late Medieval Context and the Lutheran Reformation 1500-1521 Two Pillars of the Late Medieval Church  Papal Primacy – Gregory VIII (1073-1085) is the beginning of.

Late Medieval Context and the
Lutheran Reformation
1500-1521
Two Pillars of the
Late Medieval Church

Papal Primacy
– Gregory VIII (1073-1085) is the beginning of Papal Revolution.
– Innocent III and Boniface VIII represent the height of Papal
power.
– Pope Pius II’s bull against Councils in 1460 is the pinnacle of that
power.

Mass, Puragtory and Penance
– The Mass is necessary for the forgiveness of sins and penance
necessary before Mass.
– Church buildings were adapted for a large number of altars
(“chantry” from “cantaria”).
– Belief in purgatory produced an industry of indulgences, masses,
and prayers for the dead.
Sancto Spirito in Florence, Italy
Late Medieval Theology
The Sacramental System
 Grace, Merit and Works

– Via Antiqua (Thomas Aquinas)
– Via Moderna (William Occam)
– Augustinian (Gregory d’Rimini)

Practical Consequences:
– Dependence on the institutional church
– Anxiety and uncertainty
 Negligence
 Or, zealous activity
The W ayof the Pilgrim
Predestination
(God's Design)
Point A
"contracted
merits"
de conguo
Vocation
external:
sermon, law...
internal:
healed will
Point B
(Sacramental Grace)
Baptism
"actual merits"
de condigno
Penance
Point C
(Salv ation)
Late Medieval Piety

“The Devotio Moderna”
– Geerte Groote (1340-84), educated at Paris, entered monastery
in 1374 but leaves in 1380 disillusioned. Stresses the imitation of
Christ, faith and morality. Translated Scriptures.

“The Brethren of the Common Life”
– Began as 12 disciples of Groote
– Established various “houses” of influence (primarily in
Netherlands and Germany).
– Purity of life, study of Scripture, spiritual disciplines, shared
resources, care for the poor, education for youth
– Thomas a Kempis, The Imitation of Christ
– Many Reformers were educated at Brethren schools: Erasmus,
Bucer, and Calvin.
The Late Medieval Church

Institutional Abuses
– Episcopal (Bishop) abuses
 Absenteeism
 Simony
 Pluralism
– Priestly abuses
 Greed
 Immorality
 Ignorance

Papal Realities:
– Claims vs. the Counciliar Movement
– Political Interests
– Rebuilding Rome’s Glory
Three Renaissance Popes
Sixtus IV (1471-84) –
scholar, former head
of the Franciscan
order, he raised funds
through heavy
taxation and simony
to finance the building
of the Sistine Chapel.
 The Sistine Chapel
takes its name from
Sixtus IV.

Three Renaissance Popes
Julius II (1503-1513)
– also known as the
“Warrior Pope,” was
the patron of
Michelangelo and
financed the
rebuilding of St.
Peter’s Basilica.
 Nephew of Sixtus IV

Three “Renaissance” Popes
Leo X (1513-1521) –
son of the banker
Lorenzo de Medici of
Florence, he had little
interest in papal
responsibilities and
indulged his artistic
loves as he invited
Italy’s greatest artists
to Rome.
St. Peter’s Basilica
Sistine Chapel

Built between 1475-1483 by Sixtus IV, it
was used as the Papal chapel and the
place for the election of new Popes.

Some of the wall paintings were done by
Botticelli.

The ceiling was originally a star-studded
sky.
Sistine Chapel Ceiling

Pope Julius II asked for a few vines on a blue
background on the 10,000 square feet.

Over 340 human figures represented the origin
and fall of humanity in Michaelangelo’s painting.

It took a little less than four years (1508-1512)
without assistance under adverse conditions by
Michaelangelo.
Political Context

The Rise of Nationalism
– Monarchs seek to centralize power

Spain
– United the peninsula in 1492
 Established the Spanish Inquisition in 1480
 Expelled Jews in 1492 (165,000 Jews left)
 Expelled Muslims in 1502
– King Ferdinand of Aragon and Queen Isabella of
Castile (married 1469)
 Married daughter Joanna to Emperor Maximilian’s son Philip.
– Charles I of Spain was their son (King in 1516)
 Married daughter Catherine to Henry VII of England’s son
Arthur (later married to Henry VIII).
Political Context

France
– Francis I reigned from 1515-1547
– Centralized authority in France
– France and Spain fought four wars in first half of the
16th century

England
– Henry VII (1485-1509) began the Tudor dynasty.
 Treaty with French in 1501.
 Married sons to Catherine of Aragon
 Married daughter Margaret to James IV of Scotland.
– Henry VIII (1509-1547)
Holy Roman Empire

Seven Individuals elected the Emperor (majority vote):
– 3 Archbishops (Trier, Mainz and Cologne)
– 4 Rulers (Duke of Saxony, Margrave of Brandenburg, Count
Palatine of the Rhine, and King of Bohemia)


Ruled Germany, Austria and scattered parts of Eastern
Europe—the family Hapsburg had ruled as Emperor since
1273.
Emperor headed the Imperial Diet:
– House of electors, house of princes, and house of free cities.
– The Empire was composed of almost 300 separate political units.
Maximilian I (1459-1519)
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Married to Mary of
Burgundy, daughter of
Charles the Bold.
Elected Holy Roman
Emperor in 1493.
Philip, the son of
Maximilian and Mary, was
married to Joanna, the
daughter of Ferdinand
and Isabella, King and
Queen of Spain.
Holy Roman Empire in 1512
Hapsburg Family

Maximilian’s granddaughter Mary
married Louis of Hungary-Bohemia
and Louis’ sister (Anne) married
Maximilian’s grandson Ferdinand.
Mary and Ferdinand were children
of Philip (Maximilan’s son) and
Joanna of Castile.

The marriages arranged there
brought Habsburg kingship over
Hungary and Bohemia in 1526.
Both Anne and Louis were
adopted by Maximilian.

The Hapsburgs, then, by 1525
ruled the European world except
Britain, France, parts of Italy and
Poland.
Hapsburg Dynasty

Charles I, the grandson
of Maximilian and King of
Spain, was elected the
Holy Roman Emperor as
Charles V (1519-1556).

The extent of his reign is
reflected in his terse
statement about his
language range: “I speak
Spanish to God, Italian to
women, French to men,
and German to my
horse.”
Hapsburg Empire

Charles’ brother, Ferdinand,
reigned over the German
regions of the Empire (as well
as King of Hungary and
Bohemia). Ultimately,
Ferdinand would become Holy
Roman Emperor in 1556 and
Charles’ son Philip would
become King of Spain and
ruler of the low countries
(Belgium, Netherlands)

Ferdinand continued the
Hapsburg dynasty in Germany
as well as Bohemia and
Hungary along with parts of
Italy.
Political Realities in Germany
No centralized government; thus, territorial autonomy
the norm.
 Emperor is elected and dependent upon the respective
parts of the empire.
 Germany undergoing economic growth (Fugger banking)
 No unity:

–
–
–
–
–
25 secular principalities
90 ecclesiastical principalities
Castles of Independent Knights
Free Cities
Over 100 Counts
Holy Roman Empire in 1512
Italy and Eastern Europe

Italy:
– Divided into five states
 Duchy of Milan, Republic of Florence (Tuscany), Republic of
Venice, Kingdom of Naples, and Papal States.
– Italy was often subjugated by external powers as
France and Spain fought over claims to title on the
peninsula.

Eastern Europe
– Contstantinople had fallen in 1453.
– By 1500, Turks threatened Hungary, Bohemia and
Austria. Turks already occupied Serbia and Bulgaria.
European Hostilities

Spanish-French Wars (Hapsburg-Valois Wars)
– France continually invaded Italy to reclaim lands and assert
rights in Naples from 1494 forward.
– Spanish and Hapsburg rulers sided with the Italian states.
– Charles V and Francois I of France fought four major wars from
1521-1544 with Charles always on the winning side.

The Turkish Problem.
– The Ottoman Turks defeated Louis of Bohemia and Hungary at
the Battle of Mohacs in 1526 in which Louis died and Ferdinand
(Charles’ brother) becomes King of Bohemia and Hungary.
– The Turks besieged Vienna for 14 days in 1529 but retreated.

The Papal Problem
– The Pope often joined with the French king because he was
fearful of Charles’ power.
– In 1527 Charles sacked Rome and by 1530 he controlled Italy.
Economic Context

The Black Plague (1350s)
– Reduced population by 1/4 to 1/3.
– Introduction of monetary-based economics
– Rise in taxation, including Papal

Significant Change in 1500s
–
–
–
–
Increased population (60-85 million)
Increased prices (greater demand)
Increased trade (colonies)
Consequently, an age favorable to bankers
 Medici’s of Florence
 Fuggers of Augsburg, Germany
“The Fuggerei” built by Jacob Fugger in Augsburg was the world’s first lowcost housing development. It is still in use today
Intellectual Context: Humanism

Renaissance Humanism (Italy, 1350-1550)
– Renewal of classical art, architecture and ideas

Scholastic Humanism (Europe, 1450-1650)
– Publication and study of ancient literature
– “Ad Fontes” (to the sources)
– Earliest surviving printed Scripture is 1457 (Psalms).

Reforming Humanism (Northern Europe, 14501550).
– Reforming the Catholic institutions and power
– Reforming morals
– Many of the Reformers began as humanists (Zwingli,
Calvin, Melanchton).
Erasmus (1466-1536)
“Prince of the Humanists”

Son of a Rotterdam priest,
ordained 1492.
– Educated by Brethren of
Common Life
– Studied at University of Paris
as well as time in England and
Italy.
– Lived most of his life in Basel,
Switzerland

Important Work
– Handbook of the Christian
Knight (1503)
– Praise of Folly
– Editions of the Patristic
writings
– Editions of the Greek NT
(1516, 1519, 1522, 1527).
Martin Luther (1483-1546)

Complex Person: sought
spiritual satisfaction,
opposed church abuses,
and never intended a
church split.

Brilliant, gifted in
language, passionate
about his faith, but also
anti-Jewish, rude/vulgar
in language, and given to
exaggeration.
Anti-clerical feelings in Germany
Resentment of German money going to
Rome – papal taxes
 Clergy not paying taxes
 Perceived failure of clergy during Black Death
 Resentment over large amount of land in
Germany held by the church

Young Luther

Born in Eisleben,
received M.A. at Erfurt in 1505.

Intended to study law, but due to religious experience he entered
an Augustinian monastery in 1505.

Ordained a priest in 1507 and singled out by his mentor Staupitz to
study theology for university teaching--received a Doctor of
Theology in 1512.

Became the district supervisor of eleven monasteries, but ultimately
began permanent teaching at the University of Wittenberg in 1512.
– A new university begun in 1502 by Elector Frederick the Wise of Saxony
Trip to Rome 1510
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Sent to Rome to represent
monastery
Monks hoped holy city would
encourage
Repulsed by sale of relics,
immorality
Climbed stairs at St. John – did
nothing
Returned incensed by church
corruption
The Sacred Stairs
at St. John Lateran
The Sancta Scala
Constantine installed the stairs his
mother brought back from
Jerusalem at St. John Lateran.
Supposedly the stairs at Pilate’s
judgment hall in Jerusalem which
Christ descended when beaten by
the solders and ascended to return
to Pilate for judgment
Pilgrims say Hail Mary’s and Our
Father’s going up the stairs on their
knees.
Professor

As a monk and even more
so as a Professor, he began
to question the penitential
system of the Catholic
Church.

1513-1518 he lectured on
biblical books at the
University (Psalms, Romans,
Galatians, Hebrews) and
began to teach from the
Greek text rather than the
Latin.

His “conversion”: the
meaning of the
“righteousness of God” in
Romans 1:16-17.
Indulgences

Pope Julius II announced a general indulgence
to pay for the construction of St. Peter’ Basilica
in 1510.

Pope Leo X extended the indulgences and
appointed Luther’s Archbishop (Albert of
Brandenburg) the high commissioner.

Albert was Luther’s Archbishop. John Tetzel was
appointed a sub commissioner of indulgence
sales.
The Indulgence Scandal
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Albrecht von Hohenzollern sought the office of
electoral Archbishop of Mainz from Pope
Paid a high amount to secure it
Loan financed by Fugger Bank
Repaid through sale of
indulgences
John Tetzel (Dominican)
put in charge
Reformer

95 Theses in Latin: October
31, 1517 on the door of the
Castle Church of Wittenberg.

He originally set forth several
theses for academic debate at
the University, but when they
aroused little interest he
directed these 95 theses at the
sale of indulgences and the
nature of repentance.

The door was the bulletin
board of the University in
Latin, but translated copies
were published throughout
Germany and Switzerland
within months.
95 Theses

1. Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, when He said
Poenitentiam agite, willed that the whole life of believers
should be repentance.

5. The pope does not intend to remit, and cannot remit
any penalties other than those which he has imposed
either by his own authority or by that of the Canons.

21. Therefore those preachers of indulgences are in
error, who say that by the pope's indulgences a man is
freed from every penalty, and saved;
95 Theses

27. They preach man who say that so soon as the penny
jingles into the money-box, the soul flies out [of
purgatory].

28. It is certain that when the penny jingles into the
money-box, gain and avarice can be increased, but the
result of the intercession of the Church is in the power of
God alone.

36. Every truly repentant Christian has a right to full
remission of penalty and guilt, even without letters of
pardon.
95 Theses

45. Christians are to be taught that he who sees
a man in need, and passes him by, and gives
[his money] for pardons,
purchases not
the indulgences of the pope, but the indignation
of God.

52. The assurance of salvation by letters of
pardon is vain, even though the commissary,
nay, even though the pope himself, were to
stake his soul upon it.
95 Theses

82. Question: "Why does not the pope empty purgatory,
for the sake of holy love and of the dire need of the
souls that are there, if he redeems an infinite number of
souls for the sake of miserable money with which to
build a Church? The former reasons would be most just;
the latter is most trivial."

86. Again: -- "Why does not the pope, whose wealth is
to-day greater than the riches of the richest, build just
this one church of St. Peter with his own money, rather
than with the money of poor believers?"
Luther and the Pope
April 1518 – Heidelberg meeting with Augustinian and
Dominican monks (Bucer attended).
 October 1518 – Luther was called to account at
Augsburg by Cardinal Cajetan (reformist).
 1519 – Luther debated the masterful theologian John
Eck at Leipzig.
 1520 – Papal bull condemned Luther’s writings and
ordered them to be burned.
 January 1521 – Luther was excommunicated.
 April 1521 – Luther appeared before the Imperial Diet at
Worms and Charles issued an Edict declaring anyone
who helps Luther a criminal and subject to arrest.

This building, built and owned by Jacob Fugger, was the site of the 1518
debate between Martin Luther and Cardinal Cajetan
Debate with Eck at Leipzig 1519
Opportunity to debate
John Eck of Ingolstadt
 Invitation to colleagues
Philipp Melancthon and
Andreas Karlstadt
 Luther joined, took floor
 Eck identified him with
John Hus, “heretic”
 Luther appealed to
authority of Scripture

Johann Eck
Luther’s 1520 Tracts

Using printing press, Luther published
tracts about every other week, stirring up
Germany against the pope and Catholic
hierarchy:
– On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church
– On the Freedom of a Christian Prince
– Address to the Christian Nobility

Books produced at Diet of Worms
Exsurge, Domine
Burning of the Bull in Wittenberg
Diet of Worms
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Charles was elected as Charles V the Holy Roman
Emperor in 1519, and Frederick the Wise (Luther’s ruler)
was one of the electors.
Charles agreed to hear Luther at Worms (April 1521).
Luther’s statement is renowned:
“Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by
clear reason (for I do not trust 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. I
cannot and I will not retract anything, since it is neither safe nor
right to go against conscience. I cannot do otherwise, here I
stand, may God help me, amen.”
Luther before the Diet of Worms, 1521
Exile at the Wartburg, 1522
Taken into protective custody by
Frederick
 Lived in isolation at Wartburg
castle
 “Knight George”
 Translated NT into German

– Used Erasmus’ 1516 Greek New
Testament text

Andreas Karlstadt turned
reformation in Wittenberg into
violent revolution
Luther as “Knight
George”
Luther translating the Bible at
the Wartburg
The Wartburg
Andreas Karlstadt
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1477-1541
Educated in philosophy, law,
theology
Universities of Cologne, Erfurt,
Wittenberg
1510 became professor & doctor
of theology at Wittenberg
Luther expelled him 1522
Later taught at Basel University
Katherine von Bora
 Former
nun
 Married Luther
 Good marriage
 Six children
 “My Katie”
Luther’s home in Wittenberg
Monastery in Wittenberg that became home for Martin
Luther and his wife Katherine, their children, and others
they took care of.
Organization of Churches
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Religion of prince determined religion of people
in Germany
Prince served as “Notbischof”
Visitation, committee to encourage discipline
Pastors over churches
Separation of church & state, but cooperation
between two areas
Communion in both kinds
Liturgical Worship—Differed little from Roman
Catholics
Doctrine defined by Augsburg Confession
House in Eisleben where Luther
died in 1546
St. Andreas Church in Eisleben
where Luther preached his last
sermon Feb. 16, 1546
Luther’s Theology

“Sola Scriptura”—Scripture is the final authority

“Sola Gratia”—God’s grace initiates salvation

“Sola Fidei”—Salvation is by faith alone, not
human works.

Priesthood of All Believers.

Spread through the Printing Press.
Why the Reformation Succeeded

Late Medieval Piety was Vibrant
–
–
–
–
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Pilgrimages, confessional manuals, prayer books
Lay movements (e.g., Brethren of the Common Life)
Rise in the veneration of Mary and saints.
There was a strong spiritual longing and searching.
The Reformation Offered Spiritual Satisfaction:
– The burden of medieval piety was lifted.
– Spiritual anxiety about salvation was alleviated.
– The institutional church seemed too bound up with
economic and political realities and thus many felt
alienated.
Augsburg Confession, 1530
At the Diet of Speyer in 1526, Emperor sought
to enforce the Diet of Worms. However, the
princes asked for more time.
 At Diet of Speyer in 1529, the Emperor told the
princes that they could seize no more church
land. At that time the princes “protested” (and
thus were called “Protestants”).
 In response, the Emperor demanded to know
what they all believed.
 Princes asked Philip Melancthon to draw up a
confession of their faith, which they all the north
German princes signed.

Philipp Melancthon
 Humanist
Scholar
of Augsburg
Confessions, 1530
 Worked with Bucer
for unity
 Author
Augsburg Confession, 1530
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Melancthon drew up confession
Presented to emperor and assembly of princes
and theologians at bishop’s palace in Augsburg
Most Protestant leaders were present
Luther could not go due to emperor’s ban
Became confession for Lutheran churches
For the time, common confession of all
Protestants (even Calvin signed it later as
Melanchton, Bucer and Calvin worked for unity).
Bishop’s Palace in Augsburg was the site of the 1530 Augsburg Confession
presentation. The tower in the background is the only original structure/
Augusburg Confession (1530)

On Original Sin (#2)
Also they teach that since the fall of Adam all
men begotten in the natural way are born with
sin, that is, without the fear of God, without
trust in God, and with concupiscence; and that
this disease, or vice of origin, is truly sin, even
now condemning and bringing eternal death
upon those not born again through Baptism and
the Holy Ghost.
Augusburg Confession (1530)

On Justification by Faith #4
Also they teach that men cannot be justified
before God by their own strength, merits, or
works, but are freely justified for Christ's sake,
through faith, when they believe that they are
received into favor, and that their sins are
forgiven for Christ's sake, who, by His death, has
made satisfaction for our sins. This faith God
imputes for righteousness in His sight. Rom. 3
and 4.
Augsburg Confession (1530)

On New Obedience #6
Also they teach that this faith is bound to
bring forth good fruits, and that it is
necessary to do good works commanded
by God, because of God's will, but that we
should not rely on those works to merit
justification before God. For remission of
sins and justification is apprehended by
faith,
Augsburg Confession (1530)

Of the Church #7
Also they teach that one holy Church is to continue
forever. The Church is the congregation of saints, in
which the Gospel is rightly taught and the Sacraments
are rightly administered.
And to the true unity of the Church it is enough to agree
concerning the doctrine of the Gospel and the
administration of the Sacraments. Nor is it necessary
that human traditions, that is, rites or ceremonies,
instituted by men, should be everywhere alike. As Paul
says: One faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of all,
etc. Eph. 4, 5. 6.
Augsburg Confession (1530)

Of Baptism #9
Of Baptism they teach that it is necessary
to salvation, and that through Baptism is
offered the grace of God, and that children
are to be baptized who, being offered to
God through Baptism are received into
God's grace.
Augsburg Confession (1530)

On Repentance #12
Of Repentance they teach that for those who have fallen
after Baptism there is remission of sins whenever they
are converted and that the Church ought to impart
absolution to those thus returning to repentance. Now,
repentance consists properly of these two parts: One is
contrition, that is, terrors smiting the conscience through
the knowledge of sin; the other is faith, which is born of
the Gospel, or of absolution, and believes that for
Christ's sake, sins are forgiven, comforts the conscience,
and delivers it from terrors. Then good works are bound
to follow, which are the fruits of repentance.
Augsburg Confession (1530)

Of Ecclesiastical Practices, #15
Of Usages in the Church they teach that those ought to be
observed which may be observed without sin, and which are
profitable unto tranquility and good order in the Church, as
particular holy-days, festivals, and the like.
Nevertheless, concerning such things men are admonished that
consciences are not to be burdened, as though such observance
was necessary to salvation.
They are admonished also that human traditions instituted to
propitiate God, to merit grace, and to make satisfaction for sins, are
opposed to the Gospel and the doctrine of faith. Wherefore vows
and traditions concerning meats and days, etc., instituted to merit
grace and to make satisfaction for sins, are useless and contrary to
the Gospel.
Augsburg Confession (1530)

Of Good Works, #20
Our teachers are falsely accused of forbidding good Works.
For their published writings on the Ten Commandments,
and others of like import, bear witness that they have
taught to good purpose concerning all estates and duties
of life, as to what estates of life and what works in every
calling be pleasing to God. Concerning these things
preachers heretofore taught but little, and urged only
childish and needless works, as particular holy-days,
particular fasts, brotherhoods, pilgrimages, services in
honor of saints, the use of rosaries, monasticism, and such
like. Since our adversaries have been admonished of these
things, they are now unlearning them, and do not preach
these unprofitable works.
Augsburg Confession (1530)

Worship of the Saints, #21
Of the Worship of Saints they teach that the memory of
saints may be set before us, that we may follow their faith
and good works, according to our calling, as the Emperor
may follow the example of David in making war to drive
away the Turk from his country; For both are kings. But the
Scripture teaches not the invocation of saints or to ask help
of saints, since it sets before us the one Christ as the
Mediator, Propitiation, High Priest, and Intercessor. He is to
be prayed to, and has promised that He will hear our
prayer; and this worship He approves above all, to wit, that
in all afflictions He be called upon, 1 John 2, 1: If any man
sin, we have an Advocate with the Father.