Luther timeline

(Originally written April 24, 2006 in 3 Subject)

European Religious History

Luther is teaching at Wittenburg University. He begins to tackle the theological implications of the New Testament. At the time of Luther scholasticism and humanism are opposite points in the intellectual and religious world. Catholic disagreements among theologians were commonplace at the time he posted the 95 Theses. Luther expects that each of his thesis will be debated against by Papal legates, not be ignored or lead to his expulsion. Pope Leo X sees Luther's 95 theses as the ramblings of a drunken German. The Church has a stronghold on all heresies, making them nearly non-existent.

95 Theses

-Luther fears that indulgences are replacing the repentant lifestyles that Jesus requires. Luther does not reject the sacrament of penance entirely, he is upset because it is being misunderstood by the laity.
-Luther states that Pope cannot pardon all sins. The Pope can only forgive the sins committed against the sin. Only God can forgive sins committed against God.
-Luther challenges the concept of purgatory.
-Indulgences cause people to believe their sins are forgiven so they won't be contrite and thus, be lost.
-Wrote to inform the Pope how the theology in his name is being corrupted.

The Archbishop of Mainz, who bought the office asks the theologians of the University of Mainz what they thought about the 95 theses. Pope Leo X doesn't see the 95 theses as being any particularly big deal. He orders the Augustinians to get ahold of and control Luther, an Augustinian himself. Frederick the Wise (the elector and ruler over the territory Luther is living in) protects Luther because he is enjoying the attention that his region is getting on account of Luther. Luther is declared a heretic by a Dominican in 1518 and ordered to be extradited to Rome. The Pope states he has this power because the Papacy has jurisdiction over all clerics. Frederick the Wise disagrees and claims authority over Luther because of his professorship in his district, thus giving Frederick jurisdiction. He orders that the trial of Luther must be done in Germany and he can appeal to the Holy Roman Emperor.

Luther then asks for a trial among German theologians. Frederick approves of this. The Pope is forced to back down because the Holy Roman Emperor will die soon and wishes to influence Frederick and the other German electors to elect an emperor favorable to Pope Leo X. The Pope sends Papal legates to the trial but orders them not to engage in the debate and only say "submit to the Pope". The Papal legate however condemns Luther without him even speaking, but he is not formally excommunicated. After this Luther realizes that he is getting Frederick into a dangerous situation and offers to leave the territory. Frederick decides however to protect Luther until the matter is settled.

The Holy Roman Emperor dies in 1519. The Leipzig Disputation (Leipzig University was a very staunchly Catholic place) refuses to debate the theses and only continues to demand that Luther submit to the Pope. Luther then challenges the Papal authority. He declares that the Papacy does not have the authority it claims to have. Luther declares himself more orthodox than the Leipzig University and the Catholics there. Leipzig then declares Luther to be a Hussite (Jan Hus).

Luther however knew neither Hus nor Wycliffe but agreed with some of their points. Luther placed the Bible over the traditions of the Church and above the Church fathers. He taught that justification came solely by grace through faith.

Luther begins to realize that he may have to denounce the Pope's authority outright. Meanwhile Charles V, the king of Spain, is elected the Holy Roman Emperor (being the grandson of the former Holy Roman Emperor). This gives Charles dominion over Spain, Burgundy, Germany and the Netherlands. The lands of Charles completely surround France, leaving King Francis I to feel threatened by Charles V.  In 1520 Luther releases documents writing to the German princes (electors) to take responsibility in Church reform, further angering the Pope.