Luther and the Diet of Worms

[@BlackPawnMartyr]

I really enjoyed that history lesson. Thanks for making this!!

[@davidkaus5507]

Hello Ryan Reeves, what a great video, so much detail, and clarification. I'm sure you have read Henri Merle D'Abubigne's History of the Reformation. I believe he spent 15 years in producing this work. Every thing you state in your video parallels what D'Abubigne writes about in his five volume work on the Reformation. You've also added some things that are not as detailed in his writings, like exactly what a Diet consist of, and more insight on what one man, Luther, had to face in his lone defense of his Scriptural stand in all his dealings with popery, especially at Worms. I'm sure a lot of things went through Luther's mind as he faced such a group of dignities at Worms. In addition to the one's you have stated D'Aubigne draws attention to Luther wanting to have some time to clear his mind from the whirl wind of events that had imposed itself on him in so dramatic a fashion so he could formulate a precise answer for what he stood for, and thus asking for some more time before he stated his answer to the Diet. If I may I would like to point out something about Luther's first meeting with Eck. In that debate it seems more like Eck out of desperation used papal authority to intimidate Luther because he was being soundly defeated by Luther use of Scripture for which Eck had no answer. Eck often tried to deflect Luther's Scriptural facts with ridicule, twisting of Luther's words, and mockings. Eck often played more the court fool than a theologian at this debate. Eck's resorting to the "subtile" tricks of debating in order to win an argument completely backfired on him. After the debate Eck went around promoting himself as the winner. However, other theologians, and learned scholars present at that debate stated that only one who's mind was geared toward sensationalism, and emotionalism would have thought Eck had won. The proof of the pudding of this statement was Eck's own secretary being converted to Luther and the Reformation after that debate. Like so often happens with reading and viewing information on events like those of Luther, much at times turns out to be incorrect and simply a repetition of error. Both you and D'Aubigne give the accurate account of the reason why Luther posted his 95 thesis on Wittenberg's door. The last thing Luther expected was to have the wrath of popery come down on his head. Even in D'Aubigne's writings I do not believe he mentions the fact that Luther had previously posted his 97 thesis on Wittenberg's door that were more of an attack on papal/Roman Catholic abuses than the 95 thesis posted later that dealt primarily with the abuse of indulgences. Like you stated, Luther was shocked that he got the reaction he did from Rome.

[@aarons8295]

Thank God for sending us His Luther.

[@Dailymailnewz]

Since the Emporer was a wise man may be he arranged it all in secret with Fredrick?

[@bradsohlo1493]

Btw, the parenthetical phrase was part of the quote, not added by me.Thanks!

[@kjvnews8326]

There's a piece missing from this story also. Before the diet of Worms,, the Pope sent a 'Golden Rose' as a bribe to Prince Frederick to get him to turn Luther over to Rome. This Rose is supposedly consecrated annually and given to only one person each year. The popes bribe didn't work. (See Golden Rose on Wikipedia for recipients and dates). There is also the story of Prince Frederick's dream that was recorded by all of the major chroniclers of the time. A very interesting story that was also not mentioned, and could be the reason the prince protected Luther in the first place. It was an extremely unusual occurrence for any prince to defy both the pope and the Holy Roman Emperor. He had to have a lot of guts!

[@RyanReevesM]

+KJVNEWS // Hey again. Thanks for the comment. I always point out that the course is just a survey course and not meant to be exhaustive. The rose was not so much a bribe as part of the standard papal-political interactions. He names Henry VIII Defender of the Faith and sends gifts like this quite often. It mimics the assumptions that carry over from feudal society that gifts are part of the pope's responsibility and loyalty part of the response. But, in the end, the elements as to why Frederick decided to protect him are inconclusive. He simply never says. In the setting of this lecture the reason why he protects Luther is not the focus, so I chose to leave the story off. Now as for the Dream of Frederick, that is pure myth. It is not in the chronicles of the day, actually. The story is not told at all in the Reformation era, but actually begins to be shaped in the late 1590s and is enshrined for the first time in 1617 by a broadsheet that depicts the scene. This is pretty standard propaganda of later Reformation groups: they tweak the story and add elements that show prophetic imagery. The source that is cited as the origin of the Dream story is alledged to be from George Spalatin, who was near the court of Frederick, so it sounded feasible. But this is one of those rare moments where all historians agree: the story of the Dream never happened.

[@bradsohlo1493]

Dr Reeves--have very much enjoyed your lectures. Thank you for them. Just a minor point--if I understood correctly you stated that the Eck of Leipzig is the same Eck as at Worms. I have heard various accounts--that it was the same--that is was a different person with the same name. One account states: "The Archbishop of Trier, John Eck (not the Eck of the Leipzig debate), opened the hearing..." Thank you again for your videos.Brad

[@seanf.merrigan4650]

Luther still prayed the rosary and never intended the subsequent schism that ensued after Worms

[@RyanReevesM]

+Sean F. Merrigan // Hey Sean. Great point about the schim (and one I make a lot about Luther). As for the rosary we are unsure how he used it or if he did. The point you maybe are referring to is his commentary on the Magnificat, which retained a great deal of Catholic views of Mary, and which he wrote after the Reformation was underway. Luther was very conservative, scholars continually point out.

[@lindamcgrath2461]

Ryan Reeves

[@juliojn]

Hey Ryan, great videos, thanks for posting them. Quick question, I was told that the Johann Eck of the diet of Worms was a different one (Same name though) from other disputations with Luther, is that incorrect information? God Bless.

[@francevenezia]

A diet of worms? No wonder ML was having problems.

[@MooseheadStudios]

resubbed? youtube is odd

[@MrWhitelightning73]

(Ephesians 2:8-9)😎

[@acortes7771]

Am I alone wise? Complete arrogance and lack of humility only comes from the deceiver himself!