Discussion Questions and Images: Week 5


Discussion Questions

  1. Defend one of the following propositions:

    • Karlstadt took the 'scripture alone' principle more seriously than Luther.
    • Karlstadt not only misunderstood Luther's 'scripture alone' principle, but also that of 'faith alone'.

  2. Defend one of the following propositions:

    • The radicalism of Müntzer and the peasant's revolt were logical extensions of Luther's teaching on authority, 'Christian freedom', and the priesthood of all believers.
    • Müntzer and the rebellious peasants were worse than mad dogs--they were possessed by Satan--and Luther was right in calling for their extermination.

  3. How did Karlstadt, Müntzer, and Luther defend their claims of authority? Why is it that they drew different conclusions while agreeing on the primacy of scripture? Can you determine which principles of interpretation guided each of these reformers?

  4. How do Karlstadt, Müntzer, and Luther differ on the subject of the Christian's relation to secular laws and the 'status quo'?

  5. If Karlstadt and Luther had enjoyed the support of princes could their reforms have succeeded, or were their ideas simply too radical for the sixteenth century?

  6. Ozment describes how the Reformation took form as it became institutionalized in the German lands. What accomodations were necessary? Did the social and political settlements that took place remain true to Luther's ideas, or was his religious revolution compromised in the process of institutionalization?
  

Images

Click on an entry below to view the corresponding image


(Back to Syllabus)