Victor R. Claveau, MJ
Luther openly taught the doctrine that all that was necessary for salvation was faith alone, without good works. He denied free will in man and the infallibility of the ecumenical councils. Later, in response to others who condemned his teachings, he issued pamphlets in which he taught that the Bible was the only source of faith, exterior worship was unnecessary, the sacraments were worthless (which he later modified). Many other easy doctrines which appealed to the people because of their absence or restraint were presented, and at once they spread like wildfire. He appealed strongly to the spirit of nationality and greed. He urged the government to confiscate the property of the Church, to abolish feasts and holidays and to substitute the German language for Latin.
In June, 1520, Pope Leo X condemned Luther’s teaching in a Bull specifically mentioning his errors. At the Diet of worms (1521) Luther refused to submit. Popular feeling favored his teaching, and in time the country divided on the question. He inflamed the people with his easy doctrines that they arose against the nobles. Luther was compelled to preach against those whom his doctrines had so aroused, and for fear of losing the support of the nobles, he urged them to slay the peasants whom he now called “Children of the devil.” In 1525, he married Katherine von Bora, an apostate nun. He urged the adoption of a constitution which gave each congregation complete control over its own ecclesiastical discipline. Preachers were appointed by a committee of laymen. The head of the state became the head of the church. The country being at war, made it difficult for the emperor to discourage Luther’s views.