It is also apparent that religious issues were of extreme significance concerning the controversy of indulgences, for it is recognized by many that religion was the central and most important issue held in the dispute between Luther (Protestantism) and the Roman Catholic Church (Catholicism). However, the question which is open to debate is whether the protest was welcomed by the people for spiritual reasons or for more materialistic reasons. In addition, prior to Luther’s declarations, it is clearly evident that there was some form of religious element involved, since so many people had purchased these extracts, which the Church claimed held the key to salvation. Luther made his view clear that he was completely opposed to this catholic theology and made people aware that the possession of indulgences wasn’t necessary in order to avoid purgatory, for as long as one maintained faith in God (sola fide), they would be saved: “by faith alone are ye saved”. Luther stated these beliefs through his ‘Ninety-five Theses’ and argued that there was no reasoning in the ‘Holy Scripture’ (Bible) for the purchase of indulgences.
There is also the belief that the reason why Luther successfully challenged the sale of indulgences was essentially due to political beliefs and circumstances. It was seen as an early example of German nationalism, in effect being a mass movement of people refusing to accept the continuation of the status quo whereby foreigners, especially Italians living in Rome, controlled many aspects of life in Germany, and milked the country of much of its wealth.
Further political activities throughout the Reformation period can also be studied which underline Luther’s objective of appealing against the sale of indulgences. The first event, as mentioned above in the second paragraph, involved the publication of his ‘Ninety-five Theses’, in which he hoped that the arguments which he presented would convince Albert, the Archbishop of Mainz, under whose authority Tetzel was operating, that the sale of indulgences should be halted.
Albert felt greatly threatened by Luther and immediately appealed to the Pope (Leo X – 1513-21), requesting that Luther be silenced. His response was to send a papal representative, Cardinal Cajetan, to try and convince Luther that his views were incorrect. After several days of discussion, in which Luther refused to recant, he was later summoned to an open debate with Doctor Johann Eck, known as the ‘Leipzig Disputation’. However, once again, Luther refused to retract his beliefs unless someone of “low or high estate” could convince him beyond doubt that his views were wrong: “If I retract these writings, it would be tantamount to supplying strength to this tyranny, and to opening not only windows but even doors to such great godlessness. It is not right for me to retract these works, because this very retraction would again bring about a state of affairs where tyranny and impiety would rule and rage among the people of God more violently than they ever ruled before”.
Following these two unsuccessful attempts, ‘Leo X’ sent Luther the ‘Bull of Excommunication’, informing him that he was now banished from the Church and that all obedient Christians would refuse to have any dealings with him. Luther’s response was to burn the bull publicly, which in turn produced even more public support and enabled him to continue to successfully challenge the sale of indulgences. The final political event was in April 1521, when Luther was once again requested to attend a debate at ‘The Diet of Worms’, in the presence of Charles V. He continued to stand firm and adamant in his beliefs and was consequently later found guilty of heresy by the Emperor.
In conclusion, I believe that the reason why ‘Luther successfully challenged the sale of indulgences’ was due to the combination of religious, political, economic and social aspects and circumstances. However, after thorough study of the events from 1517-21, I believe that the main reason for Luther’s success was due to his steadfast political actions and religious views which therefore provided the German people with an alternative spiritual belief and concept other than the previously unquestioned Catholic teaching and ideology. In addition, I declare that the view which suggests that the reason for Luther’s support was due to financial benefit for the German people, must not be overlooked for it is also likely that he attracted support because it provided the opportunity for the people of Germany (especially the electors) to increase their autonomy.
