Double standard for you guys. Martin Luther lived in greater luxury than the Pope does. He actually doesn't own anything. It's okay for a penniless monk to magically become a wealthy landowner (why not go back and research the times and see just how high up the rungs of society he ascended), isn't it? Now when I point out that double standard you guys get all upset.
Some day, you guys will realize that the Reformation was primarily secular - and it was about power and wealth, not about theology. Theology was the means to power and wealth for the Reformation. It was secondary, and only a tool to use.
Some day, you guys will realize that the Reformation was primarily secular - and it was about power and wealth, not about theology. Theology was the means to power and wealth for the Reformation. It was secondary, and only a tool to use.
So, the revolt against Tetzel building St. Peter's Basilica off the backs of peaseants by selling them licenses to sin was just a pretext? Yes, I see it now.
Obviously then Luther standing alone before Rome's demand to recant, (Diet of Worms) just planning his life of wealth.
"Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust either in the pope or in councils alone, since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. May God help me. Amen"
I find that hard to believe considering the pictures I saw on the link and the standard of living that existed in those days.
What'd Luther have? His own private coach?
Where was his airplane? Helicopter? Army? Bullet proof Luthermobile? Palace? Did he have his own private physician?
MB: “It’s okay for a penniless monk to magically become a wealthy landowner (why not go back and research the times and see just how high up the rungs of society he ascended), isn’t it? Now when I point out that double standard you guys get all upset. “
http://www.luther.de/en/geburt.html
How about money from the family. He wasn’t born a penniless monk. Besides, you didn’t read the link at the other post where it says that he was GIVEN property.
I find it hard to believe that he was given more wealth than the Catholic church has and that ANY pope ever lived a spartan lifestyle.
MB:”Some day, you guys will realize that the Reformation was primarily secular - and it was about power and wealth, not about theology. Theology was the means to power and wealth for the Reformation. It was secondary, and only a tool to use.”
Sounds more like you just described the Roman Catholic church. The escapades of most of the popes, with their immorality and debauchery and absurd trials of dead people from their hate filled motives, shows that more than anything Catholics can claim about Protestantism.
A simple google search of corruption of church in Middle ages provides a plethora of information about the condition of the RCC during that time. Hardly pristine and pure.
Papacy “In the Middle Ages”
http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/society/A0860222.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avignon_Papacy
Corruption of the Church in the Middle Ages
http://ezinearticles.com/?Corruption-of-the-Church-in-the-Middle-Ages&id=969734
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadaver_Synod