1510-MARTIN LUTHER VISITS ROME
G.D.O'BRADOVICH III
Martin Luther (1483-1546) visited Rome from 1510 to 1511. We will explore what he saw in Rome that may have led him to leave the Roman Church. Although it is frequently stated that Luther saw the degenerate nature of the Papacy, the truth is that the behavior in Rome was same as found in Western Europe. Therefore, the sexual morals of the Romans was not the impetuous for Luther's later actions.
The following is a list of the Ecumenical Councils recognized by the Roman Church held in the West.
The following is a list of the Ecumenical Councils recognized by the Roman Church held in the West.
CouncilLateran 1
Lateran 2 Lateran 3 Lateran 4 Lyon 1 Lyon 2 Vienne [Pisa] Constance [Siena] Basel, Florence and Ferrara Lateran 5 Trent |
Year1123
1139 1179 1215 1245 1274 1311-12 1409 14114-18 1423-24 1431-45 1512-17 1545-63 |
LocationRome
Rome Rome Rome Southern France Southern France Southern France Northern Italy Northern Italy Northern Italy Northern Italy Rome Northern Italy |
The Vatican Councils of 1870 and the 1960's have not been included. "New" Saint Peters Basilica was started in 1506 and finished in 1626. With the "demolition" of "old" Saint Peter's, none of the existing Papal tombs were preserved. It is an unfortunate loss.
The Papacy was located in Avignon, France between 1309 and 1376. This explains the council of Vienne being held in France. If the Lateran Councils 1 through 4 are excluded, one could be excused for thinking that the Papacy was not in located in Rome, but wandered from southern France to Northern Italy from 1309 to 1506 before finally settling in Rome.
The Council of Vienna (1311-1312) decreed that schools for Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic be set up in Avignon, Paris, Oxford, Bologna and Salamanea (near Madrid). Since the council did not mention Latin, one can assume that Latin was taught at the Universities or that Latin was unimportant. Greek was finally introduced into France in 1473, England in 1491 and Germany in 1493.
The following are select events in Martin Luther's life.
The Papacy was located in Avignon, France between 1309 and 1376. This explains the council of Vienne being held in France. If the Lateran Councils 1 through 4 are excluded, one could be excused for thinking that the Papacy was not in located in Rome, but wandered from southern France to Northern Italy from 1309 to 1506 before finally settling in Rome.
The Council of Vienna (1311-1312) decreed that schools for Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic be set up in Avignon, Paris, Oxford, Bologna and Salamanea (near Madrid). Since the council did not mention Latin, one can assume that Latin was taught at the Universities or that Latin was unimportant. Greek was finally introduced into France in 1473, England in 1491 and Germany in 1493.
The following are select events in Martin Luther's life.
|
Year
1505 1508 1510-11 1512 1517 1522 1534 |
Event
Masters Degree Baccalaureate Degree -Biblical Studies Visits Rome Doctorate of Theology 95 Theses in Latin New Testament Translation Published Old Testament Translation Published |
Approximate Age
22 25 27-28 29 34 39 51 |
From the above, we can conclude that Luther's visit to Rome did not prevent Luther from accepting a Doctoral degree the following year and an additional six years passed before he publicized his 95 theses in Latin. It took five years to translate the Greek New Testament into German. The council of Trent decreed that Latin will be used in the Mass and seminaries created for the education of priests. The Council of Trent stated that priests should stop at various points during the Mass to explain what the Mass to the congregation. We conclude that priests were not trained and did not know any Latin as the Mass was said in the vernacular language.
The following sayings entered the English Language from 1500 to 1600.
All roads lead to Rome.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
Rome was not built in a day.
We can confidently state that either
(1) the founding of Rome could not have preceded these saying by more than 200 years and this places the founding of Rome between 1300 and 1400, or
(2) there was no contact between England and Rome until the 16th century.
Confronted with this issue, it is understandable that philologists prefer study the origins of languages and not subject themselves to these anachronisms found in the Renaissance.
If Luther was not appalled by the licentious behavior of the Roman clergy because he had seen this behavior his entire life, what motivated Luther to love, then criticize then leave the Western Church?
He was in Rome from the fall of 1510 to the spring of 1511 and like all tourists or pilgrims it is reasonable to expect that he would have went sight seeing. He would have seen the building of "new" Saint Peter's and would look for the ancient Roman monuments that he read about. Unfortunately for Luther, but not later tourists, there were no ruins to see, because they were in the process of being built through the funds that the selling of indulgences brought in to the Papacy.
I suspect that Luther did not understand the full implication of what he saw, or more importantly, what he did not see. Luther may have thought that the former glory of Rome, her empire, her culture were lost, never to recovered. I believe that sometime after his return to Germany, one of the inconsistencies of his visit makes an impression on him. By seeking to rectify this inconstancy, he found more historical inconsistencies and contradictions with Roman history. And if one has concerns with the roots that are Roman history, then the Catholic Theology that adorns the branches is not to be trusted either.
All roads lead to Rome.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
Rome was not built in a day.
We can confidently state that either
(1) the founding of Rome could not have preceded these saying by more than 200 years and this places the founding of Rome between 1300 and 1400, or
(2) there was no contact between England and Rome until the 16th century.
Confronted with this issue, it is understandable that philologists prefer study the origins of languages and not subject themselves to these anachronisms found in the Renaissance.
If Luther was not appalled by the licentious behavior of the Roman clergy because he had seen this behavior his entire life, what motivated Luther to love, then criticize then leave the Western Church?
He was in Rome from the fall of 1510 to the spring of 1511 and like all tourists or pilgrims it is reasonable to expect that he would have went sight seeing. He would have seen the building of "new" Saint Peter's and would look for the ancient Roman monuments that he read about. Unfortunately for Luther, but not later tourists, there were no ruins to see, because they were in the process of being built through the funds that the selling of indulgences brought in to the Papacy.
I suspect that Luther did not understand the full implication of what he saw, or more importantly, what he did not see. Luther may have thought that the former glory of Rome, her empire, her culture were lost, never to recovered. I believe that sometime after his return to Germany, one of the inconsistencies of his visit makes an impression on him. By seeking to rectify this inconstancy, he found more historical inconsistencies and contradictions with Roman history. And if one has concerns with the roots that are Roman history, then the Catholic Theology that adorns the branches is not to be trusted either.
Martin Luther and his faith in his Scripture
