Maximillian I is dead. Who will be elected the new King of the Romans aka the Emperor of the Holy Roman Emperor? This time we discuss the Hapsburgs, revisit Maximillian, and discuss the contenders for ultimate prize. At the end, there is one winner. But of course, elections have consequences.
It is January 12, 1519, and Holy Roman Emperor, Maximillian I has died. The Luther question is put on the back burner while the powers that be jockey for position to select a new emperor. Before we delve into the selection and election of a new emperor of the Holy Roman Empire (HRE), this episode will be a lightning round of information about the Holy Roman Empire itself. It encapsulates information presented way back in episodes 3,4,5, & 6. Happy Listening!
Frederick The Wise, Elector Of Saxony (1524) by Albrecht Durer
After the blow-up in Augsburg and Luther’s refusal to recant, and his subsequent escape, Cardinal Cajetan and Pope Leo X are demanding Luther be sent to Rome. Frederick the Wise has a problem on his hands, how to solve the “Luther Affair?”
The Arrival of Philipp Melanchthon
Enter stage left a new character at the dawn of the Reformation: the new professor of Greek at the University in Wittenberg: Philipp Schwartzerdt aka Philipp Melanchthon.
On this episode, Martin Luther is “invited” to a special meeting in Augsburg in October of 1518 with Cardinal Cajetan. Can you say, recant?
We pick up the story after the Heidelberg Disputation, and discuss the relationship between Martin Luther and Johannes Eck, and Eck’s criticism of the 95 Theses. Cardinal Cajetan enters the narrative, as we set the scene for Luther’s upcoming trial at Augsburg. Happy Listening!
Wow: Finally a new episode! In this episode, we explore Martin Luther’s Sermon on Indulgences and Grace and the Heidelberg Disputation. Happy Listening!
This is a rather eclectic episode, digging into literacy and communication methods in the late Middle Ages, Renaissance and Reformation. The move from Latin to writing in the vernacular. We’ll also discuss the tortured history of heretics, especially Jan Hus, and whether reformers like Martin Luther had a reason to be a little fearful.
Happy Listening!
Leo X, Archbishop of Mainz and Johann Tetzel respond to the 95 Theses
Based on where we are in the story of Martin Luther, this is essentially the beginning of “Book II” in the telling of The Life nd Times of Martin Luther.
In this episode we meet three friends of Martin Luther: Johannes Lang, Georg Spalatin and Christopher Scheurl. Each likely had an impact on the how and where the word of the 95 Theses would spread.
Luther posts the 95 Theses! In the program up to date, we have delved into Martin Luther’s life up to now. We have looked at the history of the Holy Roman Empire, and also a history of the Papacy; each of those topics until this moment on October 31, 1517. Now the 95 Theses are in play, and the reaction to it will ignite the Reformation movement.
Albrecht of Brandeburg Leo X Jakob Fugger
I am going to be adding, periodically, some of the books I have found helpful in preparing the program. First up, Luther, Man Between God and the Devil. Not an easy read, but deep and insightful.
Luther: Man Between God and the Devil y First edition by Oberman, Heiko A. (2006) Paperback
My apologies that it has been too long between episodes. I explain a bit in the preface to the show.
With 1517 looming, we start to get more first person and contemporary accounts of Doctor Martin. In this episode, then, we start learning more about the real Martin Luther; more about the man himself. Then we look at his breakthrough in theology in the so-called “tower experience”, as we position to look at the 95 Theses in the next program.
Happy New Year & Happy Listening!!
The new “Studio”!
In this episode, we return to the life of Martin Luther, with a recap of where we have been in his life up to now, learn about the city of Wittenberg, and discuss Martin’s rise in the Augustinian order.
Finally, the end of the survey of the Papacy! This time we look at the more notorious popes during the Renaissance. Sixtus IV, Innocent VIII, Alexander VI, Julius II, and Leo X. Spoiler alert for upcoming episodes: Leo will be the pope who eventually faces off with Luther.
Happy Listening!!
On this episode we discuss the move of the Papacy to Avignon, and then the Great Papal Schism. These seismic events will have far reaching effects on to Papacy, and the rise of the Renaissance popes.
Happy Listening!
This time, we will look at some of the popes and events which shaped the papacy’s up and down status with monarchs throughout Europe. Old friends Charles “The Hammer”, Pepin the Short, Charlemagne, Otto the Great, and Henry IV are sometimes allies and sometimes foes of popes such as Hadrian I, Stephen II, Leo III and Gregory VII.
Happy Listening!
(The Donation of Constantine)
In this episode, we explore how the bishop of Rome came to speak for the catholic or universal church. Along the way we meet a few popes and a couple of barbarians.
Happy Listening!
As we approach the posting of the 95 Theses in Luther’s story, it seems like a good idea to learn about the institution of the papacy itself. This first part details the history of the beginning of the papacy, starting with the tradition that St. Peter was the first Bishop of Rome, and how we get from there in a straight line to what has been one of the oldest, if not the oldest continual institution in recorded history.
Happy Listening!
This time we will delve into Martin finishing his doctorate in theology, thereby earning the title Doctor Luther.
Along the way, we’ll explore the continued angst Luther claimed to have experienced which will eventually lead to other crossroads, including eventually a breakthrough of theological thought.
The more we discover about Martin, the more we see the crossroads clearly marked out, but for him at least, the destination of the route is unknown, unsure.
Martin Luther takes a road trip to Rome, the Eternal City. He goes with high hopes, and leaves with a dose of realism. Along the way, we discuss the legendary history of the founding of Rome by Romulus, the forgiveness of sins through indulgences, and climbing the true highway to heaven, the Scala Sancta.
Happy Listening!
Merry Christmas & Happy 2017!
In this special episode, we look at the history of why the birth of Jesus is celebrated in late December, the pagan holidays it usurped, and excerpts from two of Martin Luther’s Christmas sermons.
Happy Listening!
Meanwhile, Back in Erfurt…
In this episode we are pivoting from Augustine, back to Martin Luther. There is a bit more history about the Augustinians in Erfurt, and then inner conflict in the Augustinian Order between the observant and conventual friars. We are introduced to Martin’s mentor, Johannes von Staupitz, as Luther begins his studies on the way to receiving a doctorate in Theology.
Happy Listening!
Happy 499th Anniversary of the Reformation!
On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther, an Augustinian Friar and professor at the University of Wittenberg, allegedly nailed his 95 Theses to the Castle Church in Wittenberg. Originally, Luther was attempting to challenge some practices of the Church, within the Church. The responses by the Catholic hierarchy, however, eventually demanding that Dr. Luther recant and then branding him a heretic; set in motion the seismic societal movement we know as the Reformation.
Listen for exciting (and daunting) plans for the program!
Saints & Sinners: This time, we mop things up relative to Augustine, delving into his two major rhetorical and actual fights with the Donatists and the Pelagians. Augustine explores free will, predestination, and the nature of sin. We then pivot to monastic life, and a brief history of the Augustinian Order. Along the way there are the Christian persecutions from earlier during the Roman Empire’s Crisis during the Third Century, The Cyprian Plague, and a host of sinners and saints.
In the end, we are left with the question, were you predestined to download this program, or was it your free will?!?! You decide!
Happy listening!
Augustine goes from conversion to baptism as a Christian. Shortly after he and Monica share the spiritual “Vision at Ostia”, Monica died. After arrival in North Africa, tragedy strikes again as Augustine’s only son died. After his mother and son were gone, Augustine became a priest, and then Bishop of Hippo. Along the way, he became one of the most prolific writers and defenders of the faith of any age. Happy Listening!
Episode 13: From Conversion to Confession, Augustine of Hippo Pt. 2 In this episode we follow Augustine of Hippo beginning his teaching career, his rising to prominence in Milan, to his conversion to Christianity. And along the way he meets Bishop Ambrose of Milan. Happy Listening!!
Episode 12: Augustine of Hippo, Part 1
This time explore the namesake of the Augustinian Order, Augustine of Hippo. From his birth to his first time in Carthage, as he begins searching for wisdom. On the way, we meet Monica, his devout Christian mother. His life and scholarship had a profound effect on the Church, and his philosophies and writings are part of the story of the Reformation, over 1,000 years after his death to the time Luther posts the 95 Theses.
Happy Listening!!
Episode 11! In this episode we follow Martin Luther from his oath made at the thunderstorm to the gates of the Augustinian Order. He leaves his prior life behind, and becomes an Augustinian friar. Luther celebrates his first mass as an ordained priest, and tries to reconcile with his father. Unfortunately, the reconciliation turns into an uncomfortable moment.
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