Martin Luther

1
Martin Luther

• 1483-1546

2
Freedom of a Christian

• Written November 1520
• Papal bull excommunicating Luther written June
  15, 1520, received Oct 10, 1520
• Luther tried for heresy April 1521
• Part of a trio of writings
• Freedom for the common people
• Letter to Nobility about authority, to princes
• Babylonian Captivity about sacraments

3
Argument

• Audience and purpose
• Thesis
• Part I
• Part II

4
Letter to the German Nobility

• Written June 1520
• Shows Luthers reliance on political support,
  where church support was lacking
• Struck a deep historical chord
• Long history of German emperors vs. popes
• Claims of papacy increased from 1070s (Gregory
  VII) to 1302 (Boniface VIII)
• Political authority must submit to spiritual
  authority
• Both kinds of authority belong to the church
• Three Walls are the necessary framework for the
  possibility of a Reformation

5
Argument

• Audience and purpose
• Thesis
• Wall 1
• Wall 2
• Wall 3