WEEK 9  DISCUSSION QUESTIONS ON REFORMATION READINGS

Martin Luther, The Freedom of a Christian (1520)
Be able to discuss these central terms and categories:

Twofold nature of man:  inner man vs outer man  -- how are they defined?
Scripture: divided into commandments (Old Testament, law) and promises (NT):
                what is the function of the law?
                note definition of faith as “trust in God’s promises”  (fiducia = trust)
                             as opposed to more traditional faith as belief (fides = belief)
Freedom of a Christian: what does it mean that a “Christian is freed from the law”?
Faith versus works – why does he see them as opposed?
         If faith is enough for salvation, what happens to works?
 “Marriage of soul and Christ”: what is the meaning of this metaphor?
 “Priesthood of all believers”:  what does Luther mean by this
Ceremonies: why are these seen as “Jewish”?(Catholics as “new race of Jews”)

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Twelve Articles of the Swabian peasantry (1525)
These were written during the German Peasants’ Revolt of 1525, using Luther’s terms
to justify peasant revolt against landlords and nobles, which Luther rejected.
Motive of the articles is “to give a Christian excuse for disobedience and even revolt…”
Why did Luther react angrily to this?   Lecture will discuss Luther’s idea of the “two kingdoms,”
spiritual versus temporal,   and the separation of the two.

on religious issues
1)  role of community in choosing minister to preach the Gospel:  how is this different?
2)  tithes: taxes of 10% payable to church: how should these be allocated?
3) serfdom:  what is their argument against serfdom?  what would Luther say on this?

  on economic conditions
4-5) hunting, fishing, woodcutting: what has been happening in these areas?
9)    “constant making of new laws; appeal to the “old law,” customary law
10)  enclosure of meadows and fields: compare Utopia
11)  Todfall or death tax: payable to landlord on the death of a peasant
12)  Willingness to be corrected by Scripture

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Schlietheim Confession:  1527  Swiss Anabaptists  (= rebaptizers)
       This group split off from Zwingli’s church in Zurich in 1525 and began baptizing adults
        (even though all of them had already been baptized as infants.)

What is the goal of the “separation from the world” described in this document?
Who is separating off, and from whom are they separating?  What do they want to avoid.

What is their view of Baptism and of Excommunication (or the Ban)?

What is their attitude to “the sword”  (understood as metaphor for state power)?
Can Christians be involved in government, serve in army, go to court?

What is the problem with oaths?