Martin Luther's Argument Analysis

Martin Luther was a German university professor who was said to have a call from God to devote his life into the church after being struck by a lightning bolt. Luther quickly became ordained as a priest and received a degree in theology by 1508. He closely studied Saint Paul’s letters which led him into his famous belief that salvation came only through faith, not human effort. At this time, Pope Leo X authorized the sale of indulgences, church issued documents that lessened the time spent in purgatory, in order to pay for building plans in Rome. After purchasing indulgences, many believed they were absolved of all their sins and had no need for repentance. Luther was severely angered by this and quickly published his Disputation on the Power

The bull opened with a statement comparing Luther to a wild boar and contained strong details about Luther and his works. In Rome’s Piazza Navona, Luther’s books were burned by strong believers of the church when the bull was released. A day after receiving the papal bull, Luther published his response, Assertion of All the Articles Wrongly Condemned in the Roman Bull, and publicly burned the papal bull and theological writings stating, “Since they have burned my books, I burn theirs.” On January 3, 1521, Pope Leo X excommunicates Luther after his powerful acts of defiance against the Catholic Church. The Roman Catholic Emperor, Charles V, was concerned about how the German people would react to Luther’s excommunication without a trial. Therefore, he held the Diet of Worms to give Luther one last chance to recant his

Luther was greeted very enthusiastically in every town he traveled through and it embodied a victory march. The Archbishops of Trier, John Eck, opened the hearing by laying a pile of Luther’s books in front of the defendant and asking once again whether or not he believed the ideas presented in the books should be apologized for. Luther asked for time to rethink his decisions and Eck granted him until the next day. Luther stood by his writings and beliefs presented in his books. He would not back down unless convicted of error by the Scriptures or by reason. After standing in front of the jury twice, Luther still refused to recant any of his beliefs, Luther threw up his arms in victory and left the hall traveling back to the provided lodging. In order to leave Worms peacefully, Luther was involved in a staged kidnapping that led him into staying at Wartburg Castle where he translated the Bible into