Chapter 7:
Luther's Separation from Rome
“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.” Matthew 5:11
Introduction
The scene opens in Germany, where a people dwell in darkness. God does not leave His people without a champion of faith. Martin Luther is such a champion. With the sword of God's Word he battles against the darkness of his time. Even champions need the Lord to lead them as did the Bible heroes of old. They, like Martin Luther, at times stood alone. But God does not leave us alone if we purpose in our hearts to follow Him.
What are the elements of this chapter?
People: MARTIN LUTHER (1483-1546)
GC 120.2; GC 121.4; GC 122.2
German reformer, priest, and university professor.
A poor son of a miner, he went to school at the University of Erfurt where he discovered the Bible and a desire for truth.
Event: Luther enters Saint Augustine’s Monastery (1505 AD)
GC 123.2
Luther’s view of God is distorted due to his unhealthy fear of condemnation. He joins a monastery hoping to find peace with God. While there he subjects himself to a life of constant penance.
“ I was indeed a pious monk and followed the rules of my order more strictly than I can express. If ever monk could obtain heaven by his monkish works, I should certainly have been entitled to it.... If it had continued much longer, I should have carried my mortifications even to death.”
People: JOHANN VON STAUPITZ (1460 – 1524)
GC 123.3-124.1
Catholic priest, monk, and head of the Augustinian order.
Staupitz encourages Luther to give his life to Christ.
Event: LUTHER ORDAINED (1507)
Luther, a faithful catholic, is ordained as a priest and is sent to Wittenberg as a professor. Wittenberg becomes the center for spreading gospel.
Luther becomes a doctor of theology. He leans on the Scriptures as the only source for doctrine.
Event: LUTHER TRAVELS TO ROME (1506)
GC 124.3
The visit to Rome was a turning point in Luther’s spiritual life.
He was appalled by the sin and corruption he saw there.
Pilgrim Revelation
GC 125.1
While making a climb on “Pilate's staircase”, Luther realized the futility of pilgrimages, indulgences, and penance and is reminded of the verse, "The just shall live by faith." (Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38)
Concept: INDULGENCES
GC 127.1
Paying money to have sins forgiven, for past, present, and future sins for yourself or others living or dead.
A call for the sale of indulgences was made to raise funds for the building of Saint Peter’s Basilica.
People: JOHANN TETZEL (1465-1519)
Dominican friar
GC 127.2
A criminal who escaped justice, Tetzel was sent by the pope to sell indulgences. He lied and presented fables in order to get sales. (Acts 8:20)
Event: NINETY-FIVE THESES (1515)
GC 129.2-GC 130.2
Luther writes and nails a ninety-five point document criticizing indulgences to the Wittenberg castle church doors.
The ninety-five theses shines a spotlight on the church leader’s corruption.
The News Travels Fast
News of the ninety-five theses travels with lightening speed throughout Europe.
Luther is summoned to appear in Rome to answer the charge of heresy.
(Matthew 10:34; 2 Timothy 3:12)
GC 133.1-GC 134.1
People: PHILIP MELANCTHON (1497-1560)
Lutheran Reformer.
A supporter, fellow reformer, and friend of Luther who came to his aid.
(Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)
Event: DIET OF AUGSBURG 1518
Luther was commanded to retract his theses and to submit to the church’s authority. Luther refused to retract unless proven to be in error by scripture.
The papal legate refused to listen and moved to arrest Luther. He escaped in the middle of the night.
GC 134.3; GC 135.2; GC 137.2; GC 137.3
People: FREDERICK III, ELECTOR OF SAXONY (1463-1525)
Prince of Saxony and Holy Roman Elector.
The elector requested Luther to be tried in Germany instead of Rome. He later writes a letter to the papal legate defending Luther.
GC 138.2-GC 139.1
Concept: ANTICHRIST
Someone in the church who claims to have God’s authority.
(Luke 21:8; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4; 1 John 2:18-22; Revelation 13:14-15)
Luther suspects the pope of being antichrist.
GC 139.2; GC 141.3
“Luther was as yet but partially converted from the errors of Romanism. But as he compared the Holy Oracles with the papal decrees and constitutions, he was filled with wonder. “I am reading,” he wrote, “the decrees of the pontiffs, and ... I do not know whether the pope is antichrist himself, or his apostle, so greatly is Christ misrepresented and crucified in them.””
Concept: SEPARATION
Bent on Luther's overthrow, the pope issues a bull threatening to excommunicate him and anyone following his doctrines unless they recant in sixty days.
Luther is excommunicated.
GC 143.1-GC 143.2
(Matthew 5:10-12, John 15:19; 2 Corinthians 4:8-10)
“I despise and attack it, as impious, false.... It is Christ Himself who is condemned therein.... I rejoice in having to bear such ills for the best of causes. Already I feel greater liberty in my heart; for at last I know that the pope is antichrist, and that his throne is that of Satan himself.”
What does this have to do with me today?
Does God require me to comply with a church that is willfully committing sin?
Is it lawful to disobey a church that lifts policy over Scripture?
What should I do when I see church leaders going against Scripture?