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Martin Luther
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Lutheran Church History
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[ Early Years ] [ His Teachings ] [ 95 Theses ] [ Reforms ] [ Diet of Worms ] [ Later Years ] [ His Seal ]
Appearing Before Charles V
The
reformer was summoned to appear before the Imperial Diet at Worms to answer
charges of heresy and subversion. In
April 1521, Martin Luther stood before Charles V, Emperor of the Holy Roman
Empire and stated, "Unless I am convicted by Scripture or by right
reason... I neither can nor will recant anything, since it is neither right nor
safe to act against conscience. Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise, God
help me, Amen." Emperor Charles issued a Edict that proclaimed Luther
a heretic and put him under the Ban of the Empire. All of his works were
proscribed.
Luther
took Refuge in Wartburg.
Luther's
life was in danger; the Ban meant that he could be killed if he stayed in the
Empire for more than 21 days. But Prince Frederick sent soldiers to
"capture" and spirit him away to Wartburg Castle where he hid for a
year under Frederick's care. In the Wartburg, Luther translated the Bible
into German to make it available to all people.
Luther
Returns to Wittenberg.
In
Luther's absence, the reform movement in Wittenberg had become more and more
disorderly. Some reformers began to destroy church property. The
town council asked Luther to return and quell the commotion. At great
risk, Luther returned to Wittenberg in March, 1522. He pleaded with the
reformers not to use violence, fearing that reform might give way to
revolution. However, many German peasants, who had been long
oppressed, felt the time had come to revolt. Luther called for swift
suppression of the rebellious peasants. He lost support among radical
reformers. Luther remained in Wittenberg where he wrote, taught, and
preached for the next 20 years. In June, 1525 Martin married Katharina von
Bora, a former nun whom he had sheltered at Wittenberg. Theirs was a happy
marriage. They had 6 children of their own and gave a home to 11 orphans.
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