Luther: 95 Theses Flashcards
Why was the ‘super indulgence’ commissioned?
1510 Pope Leo X introduced major campaign to fund rebuilding of St. Peter’s, supported by sale of bishoprics
What role did Archbishop Albrecht of Mainz and Brandenburg have in the ‘super indulgence’?
Had purchased 3rd bishopric with loan from Fuggers
To repay his debt, he asked Leo X permission to sell a ‘super indulgence’ in his lands - supervised by Dominican friar Johann Tetzel
What local effects of the ‘super indulgence’ frustrated Luther?
Indulgences were only sold on 1st November, All Saints Day, in Electoral Saxony decreed Frederick - parishioners were travelling for 3 days to reach Brandenburg, which upset Luther
How did Luther respond to the ‘super indulgence’?
31st October 1517 sent a letter of complaint to Albrecht
Pinned 95 Theses on cathedral door
What was significant about the date of Luther’s challenge?
Day before All Saints Day, when indulgences were permitted to be sold in Electoral Saxony
What did the 95 These challenge?
Primarily concerned with theology and practise of indulgences - importance of Scripture established as he said they lacked biblical justification
Criticism extended to wealth of the Pope, but not directly to Leo X, and said there was no reason to believe the ‘super indulgence’ had the power to spring souls from purgatory - also partially denied all indulgences, relics and pilgrimages
How was Luther politically careful in his challenge to the pope?
Did not present a radical, separatist programme, mainly expressed humanist opinions and did not deny indulgences completely
Differentiated between pope and those selling SI, by claiming pope did not know of them - would let ‘St. Peter’s go to ashes’
Politically canny by praising pope and removing blame from him, protecting himself - compounded by Frederick and his own opposition to indulgences
How was Luther politically careful by writing to Albrecht?
Though beyond his jurisdiction and theologically more educated, he was deferential, deeply respectful and humble - ecclesiastical superior
Calls himself ‘dregs of humanity’ and him ‘most Illustrious Prince’, but subtly threatens and references Scripture to flex his knowledge
Overall did not launch clerical/ecclesiastical attack like Hus, but advanced academic challenge that was not schismatic
How was 95 Theses spread?
Printed in numerous towns like Leipzig, Magdeburg and Basle
Originally in Latin, not intended for public discussion, but within 2 days there was a ‘hoch deutsch’ translation, and in 2 weeks were in every major German city, in 4 in London
Why were the 95 Theses popular?
Mullet: ‘a manifesto for change in a country seething with a mixture of religious, political and financial grievances against papal Rome’
Nationalistic tone was well received by humanists like Ulrich Von Hutten
