Luther's Advice To The Peasants example essay topic

Martin Luther's advice to the peasants goes unheeded for several reasons. His ideas are far too pessimistic for the peasant, an everyday "slave"; after all revolution is what built today's world. The peasants are tired of doing the dirty work of everyday life and having to listen to princes. They are ready for action, and Luther doesn't want any action. All the peasants need is a reason, and they find it in Luther's Temporal Authority. It is in his very own writing that Martin Luther undermines his goal.

He leaves his work open for interpretation and it is used improperly. Although people know that Luther condemns the peasants for misinterpreting his ideas, most don't know why the peasants misinterpret; ironically, Luther empowers their (mis) interpretation. As Martin Luther writes, he sets up at least two standards. God is the ultimate authority. Temporal authority must be followed unless it encroaches on the soul.

However, he also seems to contradict himself at times. First he tells the peasants that it is their duty to god to obey the laws made by the princes regardless of the fact that most princes are terrible tyrants. He claims "there is no authority except from God; the authority which everywhere else exists has been ordained by God" (Luther, "Temporal Authority" 85). He also says that the majority of people are un-Christian, meaning they don't follow God by nature. "the world and the masses are and always will be un-Christian; even if they are baptized and Christian in name" (Luther, "Temporal Authority" 91). If the world is mostly un-Christian, most princes and peasants are un-Christian. So why would they follow Luther's advice?

If they are not going to heaven, why live as slaves? It is their duty, to better their lives not only for themselves, but for their progeny. If they are doomed from the beginning, why not revolt? Luther only gives them a reason to act. Every person can decide for themselves.

He says "How he believes or disbelieves is a matter for the conscience of each individual" (Luther, "Temporal Authority" 108). This not only leaves Temporal Authority open to interpretation, but the bible. Every person has a god-given right to choose. This is basic free will. He also argues that "every man runs the risk in believing as he does, and he must see to it himself that he believes rightly.

As nobody else can go to heaven or hell for me, so nobody else can believe or disbelieve for me" (Luther, "Temporal Authority" 108). This basically sets up the mindset of the raging peasants. They don't think anyone else should be able to choose for them. It is their right. Another example is "Although Christ did not bear or prescribe the sword, it is sufficient that he did not forbid or abolish it but actually confirmed it" (Luther, "Temporal Authority" 101). In reality Luther said that there is a time and a place for using force.

As a peasant this tells you to rise up against all evil, including tyrants. Jesus said himself in Luke 22.36 "he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one". This authorizes the peasants to act in violence because Jesus has more authority then Luther. Luther emphasizes how important it is to not judge, yet he judges the peasants very harshly in his third writing.

He says that the princes are "the servant of God to execute his wrath on the wrongdoer" (Luther, "Against the Robbing" 51). This doesn't seem very Christian. He goes on to say that even a Christian prince will probably have to resort to the sword. "if that does not help, then swiftly take to the sword" (Luther, "Against the Robbing" 51). He wants the peasants dead not because of what they are doing, but because of how they have represented him.

They got his writings banned. Then they acted out in his name. He writes the whole time with a slight air of arrogance; like he thinks that he is a good-Christian. Yet he wants all the peasants dead, swiftly. He never thought it was possible for his writings to be misinterpreted, but it definitely happened.

Luther argued that it was the peasant's duty to God to obey the princes. However, they have other plans. While they agree with some of his views, they disagree with others. They assume that they should be allowed to believe for themselves, but dislike his harsh judgment of them and his blatant double standards. He wanted the peasants to obey tyrants. The peasants misconstrue the arguments of Luther because he allows them to believe on their own.