Luther's early challenge to the catholic church Flashcards
(108 cards)
1
Q
What was Luther’s first education?
A
From the age of five, Luther attended school, walking daily for eight years to a local school in Mansfeld, where the curriculum consisted of Latin and religion and much rote learning.
2
Q
What was discipline like at Luther’s first school ( in Mansfeld)?
A
It was tough-he later recalled that he once endured 15 beatings in one day because he had failed to do some homework.
3
Q
After his first school (in Mansfeld) where was he sent?
A
To board at a grammar school in the city of Madgeburg, one of the largest cities in the HRE. This school may have been one of a number run by the Brethren of Common Life; Erasmus had attended another in Denventer.
4
Q
Where did Luther go to school after Magdeberg?
A
Another grammar school, this time in Eisenach
5
Q
in 1500 or 1501, when Luther was 16 or 17 he enrolled at the university of Erfurt. Most started at around 14, why might it be that Luther was older?
A
Perhaps because his father had to save for the necessary fees.
6
Q
Though Luther always presented his decision to become a monk as something very sudden, the result of a terrifying experience during a storm, why has it been suggested that the storm was to validate a decision already made?
A
Because for years Luther had been absorbing the same education that was traditionally provided for clergy. Recent events focused his mind more than ever on his own salvation; a serious accident with a knife had nearly killed him and some of his friends had died of plague. He’d also been depressed for about 6 months before his decision. The storm excuse may have been used to placate his angry father. St Anne after all was the patron saint of miners.
7
Q
Luther first joined the Erfurt branch of St Augustine. Describe the Augustinians
A
The Augustinians had been formed in 1256, and by 1500 had over 2000 branches in Germany. It was a strict order, already reformed, and was not ‘closed’; They worked in the community as teachers and university lecturers. In theory, therefore, they were Friars, though Luther referred to himself as a monk.
8
Q
If his ‘table talk’ is to be believed, Luther could not have been more conscientious as a monk, how so?
A
He subjected himself to severe discipline, even removing blankets in his icy cell; he fasted until he was skeletal; he prayed for hours at a stretch; he confessed his sins at exhausting length. His acute anxieties about death and salvation threatened his health.
9
Q
Did Luther’s severe discipline help his anxieties about death and salvation?
A
Nothing he did could relieve his sense of despair; he could never do enough to merit salvation.
10
Q
When and where was Luther born?
A
He was born in the small tow of Eisleben Saxony. his mother couldn’t remember which year, but the rest of his family thought it was 1483
11
Q
How did Luther ( wrongly) project himself in later life?
A
He claimed to be a ‘man of the people’ who had come from humble origins and had endured deprivation, poverty and strict discipline.
12
Q
What was Luther’s actual financial situation?
A
His family were actually reasonably successful Thuringian farmers in electoral saxony, and they had carefully consolidated land through marriage. His father Hans supervised several mine shafts when they moved to Mansfield, and was viewed as level headed, hard working business man; he was chosen as one of four citizens to sit on the town council in 1581. His mother’s family, the Lindemanns, were urban, professional and highly educated.
13
Q
Why should Luther’s recollections of exceptionally harsh discipline, e’g “for the sake of stealing a mere nut, my mother beat me until the blood flowed”, be viewed with scepticism?
A
His mother Margarethe ‘possessed all the virtues which are fitting in an honourable woman’, according to Melanchton, Luther’s deputy from 1519. Honesty and unquestioning obedience to parental authority was expected at the time , and Luther later said ‘they meant well by it’.
14
Q
When did Luther join the Erfurt branch of the reformed Augustinian order?
A
1505
15
Q
When did Luther travel to Rome on business for his order?
A
1510-11
16
Q
When did Luther begin teaching theology in the University of Wittenberg
A
1512
17
Q
When did Luther address a meeting of the Augustinian order of Heidelberg
A
1518
18
Q
When did Cajetan interview Luther?
A
October 1518
19
Q
When was the papal bill ‘Exsurge Domine’?
A
June 1520
20
Q
When was Charles V elected HRE?
A
June 1519
21
Q
When were the Leipzig debates with Dr Eck?
A
July 1519
22
Q
When did Luther write the 3 pamphlets?
A
August-November 1520
23
Q
When did Luther Burn the papal bill ‘Exsurge Domine’?
A
December 1520
24
Q
When was Luther excommunicated?
A
January 1521
25
What did Luther base his lectures on upon deciding that take the humanist 'ad fontes' approach to teaching?
His own detailed examination of the Bible and the works of St Augustine, and when Erasmus' new testament in Greek was published in 1516, he used that, painstakingly teaching himself Greek.
26
What does the fact that, in 1517 Luther wrote an attack on the scholastic teaching approach as divorced from reality and artificial ( thus seriously annoying his old teachers at Erfurt) mean?
This suggests that he already supported the view that the scriptures and work of the early church fathers were more important than medieval thinkers.
27
What is 'Sola scriptura'?
The belief that the truth concerning spiritual matters is in the scripture alone, which must be translated into the vernacular to make the Word of God accessible to all, interpretation, however must be reserved for state-approved preachers
28
At first, Luther "hated this just God who punishes sinners". how did he find a way to make the Augustine theory palatable?
He found relief in St Paul's words: "the righteous shall live with faith"' and Luther interpreted this as to mean that faith, and faith alone, was the key to salvation, A person just had to repent and believe in God's Mercy.
29
Why is it debatable that 'sola Fide' and 'sola scriptura' were already Luther's Key beliefs by 1517?
He did not express the view explicitly until 1520, and in his 'Autobiographical fragment' he said that he only made his 'breakthrough' in 1519
30
Frederick the wise's fury about Tetzel's sale of indulgences was based on politics and money, how was politics an issue?
Tetzel's employer, albert of Mainz, was a member of the Hohenzollern family, Frederick's rivals for influence in the empire.
31
What were Luther's two main points in his 95 Theses?
The theological rationale for indulgence selling was very dubious and indulgence selling was harmful.
32
Why did Luther see the theological rationale for indulgences as very dubious indeed?
The Pope had no control over purgatory-God alone had that, souls could therefore not be released from purgatory through the purchase of papal pardons, and forgiveness was a free gift from God to all Truly repentant christians-it could not be purchased.
33
Did Luther intend to start a revolution?
No-he simply wanted to provoke an academic debate about indulgences, hoping to expose their multiple flaws and perhaps thus end their traffic.
34
What did Luther base his lectures on upon deciding to take the humanist 'ad fontes' approach to teaching?
His own detailed examination of the Bible and the works of St Augustine, and when Erasmus' New Testament in Greek was published in 1516, he used that, painstakingly teaching himself Greek.
35
Frederick the Wise's fury about Tetzel's sale of indulgences was based on politics and money; how was money an issue?
Because, while the pope's indulgences were being sold, all others had to be suspended. This would mean a drastic loss in revenue for Frederick; he had over 17,000 relics, and was due to open a collection on 1 November 1517, with those who paid to see it earning more than 1.9 Million years less in purgatory.
36
Why did Luther think that indulgence selling was harmful?
It distracted from the importance of preaching the Word of God as revealed in the Gospels, it undermined the sacrament of penance, it discouraged more worthy uses of money, the poor were giving up all their savings on false premises, and the Pope's reputation was suffering because Rome appeared to be exploiting impoverished Germans.
37
What does the fact that Luther wrote his 95 theses in Latin mean?
That the intended audience was academic.
38
Why was pinning the 95 theses to a church door ( if it happened) not a revolutionary act?
It was the equivalent of putting up an invitation in a noticeboard; theological disputations were a regular part of university life.
39
How was Luther Subtly criticising Frederick the Wise with his 95 Theses?
He picked the day before Frederick's indulgence collection, and picked Frederick's church rather than the town one.
40
Why was even publishing theses criticising indulgences nothing that special?
Andrew Carlstadt , Luther's colleague at the university, had done exactly the same ( only more so-151 theses against indulgences for dispute) the previous April
41
Had Luther's 95 theses remained in Latin, little may have happened. What did, however?
Without his knowledge or permission they were printed, first in Latin and then mass-printed in German.
42
How did their timing help to explain the immediate popularity of the 95 theses?
Luther had given a sermon against indulgences exactly one year before, and Carlstadt had published his theses in April.
Both were largely ignored but this time Tetzel's irresponsible salesmanship was causing widespread concern among the educated elite.
43
How did their tone help to explain the immediate popularity of the 95 theses?
Luther wrote the propositions in an hurry and to provoke an academic debate, and his language was theatrical, combative and colloquial. He wrote in an way that ordinary people could understand.
44
How did their appeal for German nationalists, anti-papists and the poor help to explain the immediate popularity of the 95 theses?
When Luther made the point, several times, that the Germans were being tricked into handing their savings over to a foreign power ( Rome), he was expressing the frustrations and prejudice of many people. It was a very popular theme.
45
How did the authorship help explain the immediate popularity of the 95 Theses?
Luther was a friar of a reformed order and a respected professor of Theology at a reputable university founded by one of the electors. his credentials were therefore impeccable.
46
How did the use of the printing press help to explain the immediate popularity of the 95 theses?
Had they been written 100 years previously, they would have had to have been written out by hand laboriously. Them being printed quickly and in large quantities made them difficult to suppress.
47
The historian Elizabeth Einstein argued that the press 'precipitated the reformation, as it led to an increase in circulation of Bible and prayer books. It also enabled the circulation of which humanist things?
Attacks on papal exploitation of Germany and criticisms of clerical abuses. in thus way the press had helped to create a climate in which Luther thrived.
48
Other than preparing the 'climate' in which he thrived how did the printing press help Luther?
It gave him access to humanist texts from which he drew ideas, and enabled the rapid and widespread circulation of his theses and pamphlets.
49
How many items by Luther were in circulation by 1521?
300.000
50
Without the press, Luther might have been a transitory and local phenomenon. He fully understood its inportance, calling it what?
'Gods highest and extremist act of grace whereby the business of the gospel is driven forward.
51
How did Luther cater for the fact that most ( 95%) of the population were illiterate and also too poor to buy a pamphlet?
He made use of broadsheets and woodcuts.
52
What shows the power of the press in the imperial cities?
Of the 65 imperial cities, about 51 became Protestant at some stage. Where effective censorship operated, a city stayed Catholic, which is what happened in Cologne
53
A lot suggests that without the printing press, there would have been no Lutheran reformation. Why, however, is some perspective needed?
Luther had a receptive audience- People had grievances, and they wanted change. Without that nobody would have paid attention to him. printed work or not. He was also charismatic and persuasive on paper; a boring writer would have failed to attract and audience.
54
Why wasn't the printing press vital to Luther's success?
95% were illiterate, with only the higher classes able to read. most that provided positive expectations of Lutheran doctrine was not intended for a lay audience.
55
If the printing press was not the key to Luther's success, what was?
Most did not read about Luther's ideas-he was an inspirational preacher, delivering over 6000 sermons in his live time. 40% of his material in print by 1526 was his sermons.
56
What other than preaching helped people 'hear Luther's ideas?
Word of mouth. this explained his popularity in towns and cities, where people lived in close proximity.
57
Though there is little evidence that Luther mixed in humanist circles at Erfurt University, Why must what they said have made an impact?
Because he adopted their approach where he became a lecturer at Wittenberg University.
58
In November 1510, Luther was sent to Rome on business connected with his order. He decided to treat the month-long journey as a Pilgrimage; what did he do?
He attended services, Said confession, visited the seven pilgrim churches, Prayed before the high alter of St Peters, Viewed sacred relics, toured the catacombs by torchlight and climbed the Scala Sancta in his knees saying a prayer at each step to save the soul of his grandfather in purgatory.
59
Luther's life in Wittenberg was exceptionally busy-how so?
He had multiple duties in the Augustine friary as a reader at meals, an official preacher in the town church, vicar to 11 outlying friaries and even an inspector of fish ponds.
60
Upon the retirement of Johann Von Staupitz, what did Luther become ill in 1512
Professor of Biblical theology, which involved directing students' studies, giving Bi-weekly lectures and presiding over the disputations held every Friday
61
Which dispute was Luther Immediately caught up in wittenberg University?
Whether teaching should scholastic or Humanist.
62
Through all his anxieties, who was Luther's patient mentor?
Johann Staupitiz, head of the Augustinians in Germany from 1503 and the dean of the faculty of theology of Wittenberg University, which had he helped to found.
63
Why did Staupitz draw Luther's attention to the works of the orders patron, St Augustine of Hippo, who stressed that man's actions had no effect on who would be saved; god alone decided?
Because this meant that Luther was putting himself through torment for nothing.
64
Perhaps hoping to divert Luther's attention, Staupitiz sent him to Erfurt university to study theology. here the Faculty was dominated by scholastic teaching and the study of 'modern' Theologians and philosophers belonging to the Nominalist school. what did Nominalists believe and what of this did Luther agree with ?
According to Nominalists, one cannot use Reason to arrive at a conclusion about God. Religious truth can only be known by faith in the scriptures as god's word. the emphasis as faith alone was something Luther later adopted, but he discounted their emphasis on Church authority and their approach to learning
65
What did humanists believe people should study rather than what the medieval scholars had said about the bible?
The Bible itself, and works written by early church fathers.
66
Who were the early church fathers?
Christian writers of the first 4-5 centuries after the Crucifixion of Christ. St Augustine of Hippo was one of the greatest of those.
67
When did Tetzel defend indulgence selling at a meeting of his Dominican order of Saxony?
January 1518
68
When did pope Leo request that the Augustinian order Discipline Luther, and when did Luther then defend his position at a meeting of his order in Heidelberg?
Request February 1518, defended April 1518
69
When did Cajetan meet with Luther in Augsburg?
October 1518
70
What did Pope Leo order Cajetan to do, and what did Frederick ask him to do?
Leo ordered Cajetan to see Luther, demand that he recant, and then arrest him and deliver him to Rome, Frederick asked him to meet but not arrest Luther.
71
What happened when Luther met Cajetan in Augsburg in October 1518?
They rowed, and Luther fled Augsburg, Cajetan demanded that Frederick either hand Luther over to Rome or banish him. He did neither.
72
When din Karl Von Miltitz, a papal chamberlain and saxon nobleman, arrive in Wittenberg to negotiate with frederick, bearing a golden rose?
December 1518
73
Why did Leo suspend all action against Luther in January 1519
Emperor Maximilian dies, so an imperial election was pending
74
How did Luther use music to disseminate his ideas?
He wrote Hymns to popular tunes.
75
Loyal Catholic in 1517, what stopped Luther limiting himself to denouncing indulgences?
The way in which Rome and the Dominican order reached.
76
On the same day he pinned up his theses, Luther sent a copy of them with a Covering letter, to Albert of Mainz, What the letter contain?
It was polite, but had an edge. He expressed his grave concerns about Tetzel, but also went further and queried, the scriptural basis or indulgences, and then fairly bluntly criticised Albert's own Behaviour.
77
How did Albert of Mainz respond to the letter he received from Luther?
He didn't reply, instead having the letter and these checked for signs of heresy before sending both to Rome on December 13, asking for action to be taken.
78
What underpinned Albert of Mainz's reaction to the 95 theses?
His concern at their reception; he'd be in serious debt to the Fuggers if Tetzel's sale of indulgences collapsed.
79
Why 30 years on from the 95 Theses, did Luther think that 'the entire blame' for all that followed rested with Albert?
If he had 'at the outset quenched the outbursts of Tetzel, things would not have grown to such a furore'
80
Over the four years following the 95 theses, four attempts were made to silence Luther, what were they?
Through his own order, through a meeting with Cardinal Cajetan, through direct negotiation with Frederick the wise and through debate with Dr Eck.
81
When was the opening session of the Diet of Worms?
January 1521
82
When was Luther summoned to appear before the diet of Worms by Emperor Charles V?
6th March 1521
83
When did Luther arrive in Worms?
16th April 1521
84
When did Luther appear before the Diet of Worms?
17th- 18th April 1521
85
When did Charles issue his verdict at the Diet of Worms?
19th April 1521
86
When did Luther have failed negotiations with representatives of the Diet of Worms?
24th - 25th April 1521
87
When was the Edict of Worms issued?
26th April 1521
88
When did Luther leave Worms?
26th April 1521
89
When was Luther ‘kidnapped’ by agents of Frederick the Wise and
taken to Wartburg Castle where he stayed until March 1522?
4th May 1521
90
When did the Papal Bull finally reach Worms?
8th May 1521
91
What did Pope Leo’s representatives want the Diet of Worms to do?
Condemn Luther immediately and completely.
92
Although Cardinal Aleander may have wished it otherwise, what was top of Charles’ agenda at the Diet of Worms?
The Ottoman issue and a request for the money needed for a crusade.
93
What was the agenda of the princes at the Diet of Worms?
A list of 102 gravamina (grievances) to do with the Church of Germany, issues that they wanted remedied by a general council. Luther’s appeal ‘To the Christian Nobility of the German Nation’ had clearly struck a chord, even though they did not support his doctrinal ideas.
94
A list of 102 gravamina (grievances) to do with the Church of Germany, issues that they wanted remedied by a general council. Luther’s appeal ‘To the Christian Nobility of the German Nation’ had clearly struck a chord, even though they did not support his doctrinal ideas.
Charles did not want to alienate the princes and he especially needed the support of Frederick the Wise if he was to establish his authority.
95
What excuse did Charles have for summoning Luther to the Diet of Worms?
Under the Empire’s laws, no one of rank could be summoned for trial outside Germany with a fair hearing. Luther was summoned to be thoroughly investigated by competent persons so that no injustice shall be done or anything against the law.
96
With the promise of safe conduct, the Emperor’s Herald as an escort and a carriage provided by Wittenberg Town Council, Luther set off. What was his experience during the month long journey?
It was a triumphant procession and he was cheered and feted in every village they passed though. In Worms, where he finally arrived on 16th April, 2000 people escorted him to his lodgings in a local friary.
97
If Luther had expected to be allowed to explain his views at the Diet of Worms, he was disappointed. How had Cardinal Aleander arranged things otherwise?
Luther’s pamphlets were on a table along with his books and their titles were read out. He was asked by an official if he had written them and if he upheld their content or wished to retract.
98
How did Luther react at the Diet of Worms when asked by an official if he had written his books and pamphlets and if he upheld their content or wished to retract?
He agreed he’d written but hesitated after that, asking for time to consider if he upheld their content or if he wished to retract. Charles agreed.
99
His second day at the Diet of Worms, April 18th a much more confident Luther addressed the assembly. He spoke according to eyewitnesses like a suppliant, yet without raising his voice modestly, but with no lack of Christian warmth and firmness. What did he say?
Many listening thought and hoped that he was about to retract. He did not. Rather, he agreed that he had written the books. Some were harmless and fit to be read by Christians.
100
What did Charles V look like?
Short and rather puny, he had a massive lower jaw, bulging eyes and a big nose.
101
What was Charles V’s health like?
Adenoidal problems meant that he couldn’t breathe through his nose, so his mouth was permanently open. He suffered from indigestion and piles caused by excessive gluttony and a tendency to swallow rather than chew his food. From his late twenties, he suffered from gout in his hands and feet so painful he was sometimes unable to move.
102
Always a warrior, by the 1550’s Charles V was suffering from depression along with his physical ailments. What points to him having suffered from a complete mental breakdown?
He surrounded himself with clocks and when the chimes of these did not align he would obsessively take them to pieces and reassemble them.
103
How religious was Charles V?
He was an exceptionally devout Catholic, attending mass twice daily, spending hours in prayer and listening at length to Bible readings.
104
When was Luther formally excommunicated by the papal bull ‘Decet Romanum Pontificem’ which was despatched to Germany for publication?
January 1521
105
What would have impressed the Princes when Charles finally arrived in the Empire in the autumn of 1520, despite his appearance?
For 15 years, he was brought up by his cultured Aunt Margaret of Austria (Philip the Fair’s sister) who Burgundian palaces were a centre of Northern Renaissance poetry art and music. He was an able linguist, speaking French, Spanish, German, Dutch and Latin. He jousted and hunted, was chivalrous and later in life showed real courage in battle.
106
In his personal life, Charles had such high standards that he was almost dull. Describe this character.
Dignified and courteous, he disliked vulgar jokes, drunkenness and ostentatious living. With a strong sense of duty, he conscientiously applied himself to his paperwork. Though he was neither bright or a strategic thinker, he did listen to his advisers. He rarely got angry, perhaps because he was a fatalist, believing that God directed human affairs even when things went badly.
107
From Frederick’s point of view, what was Charles’ greatest virtue?
He had a deep sense of honour and if he gave his word he kept it.
108
When was Luther formally excommunicated by the papal bull ‘Decet Romanum Pontificem’ which was despatched to Germany for publication?
January 1521
