Southeast Circuit Update: Week Eighteen Southeast Circuit Reformation Update: Week Eighteen 's Luther's Excommunication

Rev. Anthony Ahrendt Rev. Anthony Ahrendt

Martin Luther never intended to start a new church nor be never intended to start a new church nor be excommunicated, yet this is exactly what happened. Luther excommunicated, yet this is exactly what happened. Luther had promised to remain “quiet” if his enemies did the same, had promised to remain “quiet” if his enemies did the same, they did not, and soon Luther was defending his position they did not, and soon Luther was defending his position again. again. John Eck, professor at the University of Ingolstadt, attacked John Eck, professor at the University of Ingolstadt, attacked both Luther and his 95 Theses. Eck then challenged Professor both Luther and his 95 Theses. Eck then challenged Professor Carlstadt to a debate which was accepted and was held at Carlstadt to a debate which was accepted and was held at the University of Leipzig June 27, 1519. In the debate, Profes- the University of Leipzig June 27, 1519. In the debate, Profes- sor Carlstadt relied on books for his arguments while Eck sor Carlstadt relied on books for his arguments while Eck spoke without notes. Eck noticed Carlstadt was winning the spoke without notes. Eck noticed Carlstadt was winning the debate, so he asked the rules be changed forcing Carlstadt debate, so he asked the rules be changed forcing Carlstadt to debate without notes. Carlstadt was unable to effectively to debate without notes. Carlstadt was unable to effectively debate this way so Luther took over. While Eck continued to debate this way so Luther took over. While Eck continued to defend the authority of the church fathers (tradition) as high- defend the authority of the church fathers (tradition) as high- er than Scripture, Luther held fast to the ultimate authority of er than Scripture, Luther held fast to the ultimate authority of the Scriptures. After the Leipzig debate, Luther’s chances of the Scriptures. After the Leipzig debate, Luther’s chances of resolution with Rome were becoming almost impossible. resolution with Rome were becoming almost impossible. Luther gained much support following the Leipzig debate Luther gained much support following the Leipzig debate which encouraged him to continue to work and write. And which encouraged him to continue to work and write. And write, Luther did, the more he was condemned the more he write, Luther did, the more he was condemned the more he wrote. Luther published three pamphlets from August wrote. Luther published three pamphlets from August through November 1520. An Address to the Christian Nobility through November 1520. An Address to the Christian Nobility of the German Nation, On the Babylonian Captivity of the of the German Nation, On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church, and The Freedom of the Christian Man. In these writ- Church, and The Freedom of the Christian Man. In these writ- ings Luther argued against the pope as ultimate authority in ings Luther argued against the pope as ultimate authority in all earthly affairs. all earthly affairs. 500 Years of the Lutheran Reformation 500 Years of the Lutheran Reformation Southeast Circuit North Dakota District Southeast Circuit North Dakota District Next, he denounced exclusive papal authority to interpret Next, he denounced exclusive papal authority to interpret Scripture and call a general church council if the church hi- Scripture and call a general church council if the church hi- erarchy were violating the Scriptures, stating that any Chris- erarchy were violating the Scriptures, stating that any Chris- tian can do the same. The Freedom of the Christian Man tian can do the same. The Freedom of the Christian Man describes the freedom a Christian has through faith in Christ. describes the freedom a Christian has through faith in Christ. A Christian is subject to no one, yet the Christian who is loved A Christian is subject to no one, yet the Christian who is loved by God eagerly desires to return God’s love and thus be- by God eagerly desires to return God’s love and thus be- comes a willing servant of all and subjects himself to every- comes a willing servant of all and subjects himself to every- one. one. By this time, the Roman Church By this time, the Roman Church had enough of Luther. On June had enough of Luther. On June 15, 1520, after six months of inves- 15, 1520, after six months of inves- tigating the Luther case, Pope tigating the Luther case, Pope Leo signed the papal bull (report) Leo signed the papal bull (report) listing 41 reasons why Luther listing 41 reasons why Luther should be condemned a heretic should be condemned a heretic and excommunicated. Luther’s and excommunicated. Luther’s books were ordered burned by books were ordered burned by all Christians and no one was to all Christians and no one was to help Luther in any way. This bull help Luther in any way. This bull did not reach Luther until Octo- did not reach Luther until Octo- ber 10, 1520. He was then given ber 10, 1520. He was then given sixty days to recant which ended sixty days to recant which ended December 10, 1520. In response, December 10, 1520. In response, Luther burned the papal bull Luther burned the papal bull along with a copy of cannon along with a copy of cannon law. law. On January 3, 1521, the pope formerly declared Luther a On January 3, 1521, the pope formerly declared Luther a heretic along with his followers and anyone who helped him heretic along with his followers and anyone who helped him in any form. But Luther’s faith was strong. In a letter to a in any form. But Luther’s faith was strong. In a letter to a minister forced to leave his position Luther expressed his minister forced to leave his position Luther expressed his thoughts. “Whatever may happen I am not moved, be- thoughts. “Whatever may happen I am not moved, be- cause nothing can happen save in accord with the will of cause nothing can happen save in accord with the will of him who sits upon the heaven directing all. Luther was com- him who sits upon the heaven directing all. Luther was com- mitted, and trusted God to help him continue this work ac- mitted, and trusted God to help him continue this work ac- cording to His will. cording to His will.

Next Week: The Third Chief Part of the Catechism — Rev. Adam Filipek Next Week: The Third Chief Part of the Catechism — Rev. Adam Filipek