an address to the christian nobility of the german nation

An Address to the An Address to the Christian Nobility of the Christian Nobility of the

German NationGerman Nation

An Address to the An Address to the Christian Nobility of the Christian Nobility of the

German NationGerman NationProblem: The Romanists (the Problem: The Romanists (the pope and his defenders) are dug pope and his defenders) are dug in behind 3 arguments (the in behind 3 arguments (the “Three Walls”).“Three Walls”).

Problem: The Romanists (the pope Problem: The Romanists (the pope and his defenders) are dug in behind and his defenders) are dug in behind 3 walls.3 walls.

“Only we have power in spiritual things.”

1



“Only we can interpret the

Bible.” 21



“Only we can interpret the

Bible.”

“Only we can call a Council.”

21

3

“Only we have power in spiritual

things.”

1

Luther’s response: Luther’s response: The distinction between the The distinction between the “Spiritual Estate” (priests) and “Spiritual Estate” (priests) and the “Temporal Estate” (laypeople) the “Temporal Estate” (laypeople) is not scriptural.is not scriptural.


things.”

1

Luther’s response: Luther’s response: The distinction between the The distinction between the “Spiritual Estate” (priests) and the “Spiritual Estate” (priests) and the “Temporal Estate” (laypeople) is not “Temporal Estate” (laypeople) is not scriptural.scriptural.All Christians have spiritual All Christians have spiritual authority. All Christians are kings authority. All Christians are kings and priests before God (1 Peter and priests before God (1 Peter 1:9).1:9).


things.”

1

Luther’s response: Luther’s response: The distinction between the Spiritual The distinction between the Spiritual Estate (priests) and the Temporal Estate (priests) and the Temporal Estate (laypeople) is not scriptural.Estate (laypeople) is not scriptural.All Christians are kings and All Christians are kings and priests before God (1 Peter 1:9).priests before God (1 Peter 1:9).

UNIVERSAL UNIVERSAL PRIESTHOODPRIESTHOOD

Luther’s response: Luther’s response: The distinction between the Spiritual The distinction between the Spiritual Estate (priests) and the Temporal Estate (priests) and the Temporal Estate (laypeople) is not scriptural.Estate (laypeople) is not scriptural.All Christians are kings and priests All Christians are kings and priests before God (1 Peter 1:9).before God (1 Peter 1:9).Christians hold different Christians hold different officesoffices: : priest, bishop, prince, farmer, priest, bishop, prince, farmer, mother, etc. But before God, all mother, etc. But before God, all are equal.are equal.

Luther’s response: Luther’s response: Before God, all are equal.Before God, all are equal.Therefore, the spiritual authority Therefore, the spiritual authority (popes, bishops, etc.) is not (popes, bishops, etc.) is not “higher” than temporal authority “higher” than temporal authority (princes, etc.).(princes, etc.).

Luther’s response: Luther’s response: Therefore, spiritual authority (popes, Therefore, spiritual authority (popes, etc.) is not “higher” than temporal etc.) is not “higher” than temporal authority (princes, etc.).authority (princes, etc.).Therefore, princes and laypeople Therefore, princes and laypeople have every right to reform the have every right to reform the Church, if the Pope won’t do it Church, if the Pope won’t do it himself.himself.

Sample quotationsSample quotations

From all this it follows that there From all this it follows that there is really no difference between is really no difference between laymen and priests, princes and laymen and priests, princes and bishops, "spirituals" and bishops, "spirituals" and "temporals," as they call them, "temporals," as they call them, except that of office and workexcept that of office and work..

Source: Source: www.ctsfw.edu/etext/luther/nobility/nobility03.ascwww.ctsfw.edu/etext/luther/nobility/nobility03.asc

For whoever comes out the For whoever comes out the water of baptism can boast water of baptism can boast that he is already consecrated that he is already consecrated priest, bishop and pope, priest, bishop and pope, though it is not seemly that though it is not seemly that every one should exercise the every one should exercise the office. Nay, just because we office. Nay, just because we are all in like manner priests, are all in like manner priests, no one must put himself no one must put himself forward and undertake, forward and undertake, without our consent and without our consent and election, to do what is in the election, to do what is in the power of all of us. For what is power of all of us. For what is common to all, no one dare common to all, no one dare take upon himself without the take upon himself without the will and the command of the will and the command of the community.community.

Sample quotationsSample quotations If a little group of pious Christian If a little group of pious Christian laymen were taken captive and set laymen were taken captive and set down in a wilderness , and had down in a wilderness , and had among them no priest consecrated among them no priest consecrated by a bishop, and if there in the by a bishop, and if there in the wilderness they were to agree in wilderness they were to agree in choosing one of themselves, choosing one of themselves, married or unmarried, and were to married or unmarried, and were to charge him with the office of charge him with the office of baptizing, saying mass, absolving baptizing, saying mass, absolving and preaching, such a man would and preaching, such a man would be as truly a priest as though all be as truly a priest as though all bishops and popes had bishops and popes had consecrated him.consecrated him.

Luther’s response: Luther’s response:

“Only we can

interpret the Bible.”

2

Luther’s response:Luther’s response:

““They wish to be the only Masters They wish to be the only Masters of the Holy Scriptures, even of the Holy Scriptures, even though in all their lives they learn though in all their lives they learn nothing from them!”nothing from them!”

“Only we can interpret

the Bible.”2

Luther’s response:Luther’s response: If this were really true—that the If this were really true—that the Bible means only what the Pope Bible means only what the Pope says it means—then what would says it means—then what would we need the Bible for?we need the Bible for?

“Only we can interpret

the Bible.”2

Luther’s response:Luther’s response: Then what would we need the Bible Then what would we need the Bible for?for?All Christians—not just the All Christians—not just the pope--have the Holy Spirit (See pope--have the Holy Spirit (See Wall #1). All Christians are Wall #1). All Christians are competent judges in spiritual competent judges in spiritual things.things.

Luther’s response:Luther’s response: All Christians are competent judges All Christians are competent judges in spiritual things.in spiritual things.Even Peter was in the wrong Even Peter was in the wrong (Galatians 2:11), and more than (Galatians 2:11), and more than once. How can the Pope say he is once. How can the Pope say he is an infallible interpreter of an infallible interpreter of Scripture?Scripture?


“Only we can call a Council.”3


Once the first two walls are down, Once the first two walls are down, this one collapses all by itself.this one collapses all by itself.


Luther’s response: Luther’s response: Many important councils in Many important councils in church history (e.g. Jerusalem-church history (e.g. Jerusalem-Acts 15; Nicea) were not called by Acts 15; Nicea) were not called by the Pope.the Pope.


Luther’s response: Luther’s response: Many important councils in church Many important councils in church history were not called by the Pope.history were not called by the Pope.The only authority that exists in The only authority that exists in the Church is the authority to the Church is the authority to build up the Church.build up the Church.


Luther’s response: Luther’s response: The only authority that exists in the The only authority that exists in the Church is the authority to build up Church is the authority to build up the Church.the Church.If the Pope is tearing down the If the Pope is tearing down the Church, and he prevents the Church, and he prevents the calling of a Council, he must be calling of a Council, he must be opposed. opposed.


Sample quotationSample quotation

Would it not be most unnatural, if Would it not be most unnatural, if a fire were to break out in a city, a fire were to break out in a city, and every one were to keep still and every one were to keep still and let it burn on and on, and let it burn on and on, whatever might be burnt, simply whatever might be burnt, simply because they had not the mayor's because they had not the mayor's authority, or because the fire authority, or because the fire broke out at the mayor's house?broke out at the mayor's house?

After the “3 Walls” are “down,” After the “3 Walls” are “down,” Luther adds:Luther adds:


1.1. A list of topics that a Council A list of topics that a Council should take up.should take up.


1.1. A list of topics that a Council A list of topics that a Council should take up;should take up;

2.2. Reforms needed in the Church, Reforms needed in the Church, Part IPart I


1.1. A list of topics that a Council A list of topics that a Council should take up;should take up;

2.2. Reforms needed in the Church, Reforms needed in the Church, Part IPart I

3.3. Reforms needed in the Church, Reforms needed in the Church, Part IIPart II

After the 3 walls are down, Luther After the 3 walls are down, Luther adds:adds:

1.1. A list of topics that a Council should A list of topics that a Council should take up;take up;

2.2. Reforms needed in the Church, Part Reforms needed in the Church, Part II

3.3. Reforms needed in the Church, Part Reforms needed in the Church, Part IIII

4.4. Reforms needed in the State Reforms needed in the State (e.g. the schools)(e.g. the schools)

an address to the christian nobility of the german nation

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