The podcast discusses the aftermath of the Augsburg Confession, including the Lutherans' response to its dismissal and the consequences in the years that followed. It explores topics such as polygamy, the excommunication of Henry VIII, and the bloody aftermath of the Reformation. The chapter also touches on the influence of the Augsburg Confession on English reformers and the relationship between Henry VIII and Luther. Additionally, it explores the Reformation's embrace of science, the role of the Jesuits in countering the movement, and the Christocentric nature of the Lutheran Reformation.
The rejection of the Augsburg Confession confused Lutheran reformers, who had connected their beliefs to Scripture and the ancient confession of the church, highlighting the political nature of the gathering and the looming threat of Turkish invasion.
The founding of the Society of Jesus in 1534 aimed to eliminate the Reformation, sparking a need for counter-Reformation intellectual thought and highlighting the recognition of the Reformation as an intellectually driven movement that needed to be countered at an academic level.
Deep dives
1530: The Augsburg Confession and Confutation
In 1530, the diet of Augsburg took place where the Augsburg Confession was presented and subsequently rejected by the assembly. The Confutation, a response to the Augsburg Confession, was hastily prepared and widely dismissed. This rejection confused the Lutherans assembled, who had connected their beliefs to Scripture and the ancient confession of the church. Luther's pessimism during this time led him to associate the Ottoman Turks with the coming end of the world. The political nature of the gathering is highlighted, as Europe sought unity against the Ottoman Muslim Empire. Additionally, Luther's proclamation against the Turks in an admonition to prayer emphasized the need for Christians to attend to their own repentance and appeal to God for protection.
1534: The Society of Jesus
In 1534, the Society of Jesus, or the Jesuits, was founded with the purpose of eliminating the Reformation. Although primarily known for their military and political activities, the Jesuits also sought to retake universities and promote counter-Reformation intellectual thought. This highlights the recognition that the Reformation was an intellectually driven movement that needed to be countered at an academic level. Furthermore, the same year marked the first complete edition of Luther's German Bible, a significant accomplishment that reflected Luther's focus on teaching people to read so that they could access the Bible and catechism for themselves.
The Christocentric Nature of the Lutheran Reformation
One defining characteristic of the Lutheran Reformation was its Christocentric approach. Luther and the early reformers emphasized the importance of Christ and centered their theology around Him. The study, teaching, and proclamation of theology were seen as the proclamation of Christ Jesus. This Christ-centered focus influenced all aspects of the Lutheran movement and set it apart from other reformations. The understanding of Christ as the center of theology continues to shape Lutheran theology and teaching.
The Legacy of the Lutheran Reformation
The Lutheran Reformation had enduring effects that extended beyond its immediate historical context. It contributed to the rise of the academic profession of historian, as reformers emphasized the importance of accurate historical knowledge in understanding the church's trajectory and reforming it accordingly. Furthermore, the Lutheran Reformation's commitment to literacy and the translation of the Bible into vernacular languages greatly impacted education and the accessibility of Scripture. The focus on Christ as the center of theology and the proclamation of the gospel also left a lasting legacy in Lutheran theology and practice.
Coming back from the Diet of Augsburg the Lutheran reformers began responding to the doctrinal backlash of the Confutation. During this time Luther also begins to address the political climate and the looming threat of Turkish invasion. Sit back, relax, grab a drink, and enjoy the show.
