To the Christian nobility of the German nation ( German: An den christlichen Adel deutscher Nation ) is the work of Martin Luther , written by him in 1520 , in which he substantiates the ideas of the universal priesthood and two kingdoms . Addressed to the German nobility as a hope for the correction of Christianity.
Content
Contents
First Wall
Luther criticizes the idea of dividing the church into clergy and laity, since all Christians belong to the clergy. From here follows the right of every Christian to baptize and forgive sins. Luther also denies the non-jurisdiction of priests in the Roman church to secular authorities, since secular authority is part of the Christian body.
All Christians truly belong to the spiritual estate, and there is no other difference between them, except perhaps differences in office
Second Wall
Freedom for Christians to interpret scripture and denounce the lost stewards of the Church.
Third Wall
About the right of every Christian to convene a Council.
Suggestions
- Abolish the pomp of church hierarchs
- Reduce the number of cardinals
- Reduce Roman Curia
- Church tax levied on German lands must remain in Germany
- The right of a bishop to be appointed by another bishop (and not by the pope)
- The prohibition of combining secular and spiritual power.
- Election and accountability of the pastor to the local community. "the inhabitants of each city from their midst choose an educated, pious city dweller, entrust him with pastoral service and support him at the expense of the community"
- Optional celibacy
- Ban on excommunication for worldly affairs
- It is preferable to reschedule the holidays on Sunday in order to avoid idleness: "let all holidays be canceled except Sunday"
- Ban Christians to beg; "None of Christians should beg;"
- Apology of Jan Hus : "I did not find anything false with him"
- The affirmation of the presence in the Eucharist of bread and body, as well as wine and blood.