26. Publications of the Reformation (Münzer, Luther)

Germany. Luther refuted the Catholic dogma itself about the possibility of saving the soul only through the mediation of the Catholic clergy and on the basis of the rite established by the church. In contrast to dogma and mercantile church practice, he stressed the importance of the conscience of the believer, the need for him to justify the deepest repentance of sin. the concept - “three only” a person is saved only by faith; he gains it only through the mercy of God, and not because of any personal merit; Scripture is the only authority in matters of faith. Luther, however, did not question the role of the church as a mentor of people in religious life. Luther proposed a program of church-political transformations. He was accused of heresy. The bold stance of Luther, which demonstrated that the Pope’s power was not unlimited, brought him great popularity in Germany. He became a national hero. Many printing houses printed works by Luther, making the reformation ideas common knowledge.

If Luther was a spiritual leader, then Müntzer led a revolutionary peasant-plebeian camp. Münzer soon became acquainted with the teachings of Luther and became his ardent supporter. He denounced the priests, who, having memorized the dead words from the Bible, throw out a bookish, false faith on the poor people. Peace on the eve of the coup - prepared by the whole course of history. It can be accomplished without bloodshed, Munzer believed, if unrighteous people give up their captured privileges and agree to live by God's right by joining the Christian Association.

In order to attract princes and noblemen to his side, Müntzer declared that, by submitting * to the "Christian association", they would be able to count on a share of confiscated church property. From the closest like-minded members of the secret union, Müntzer did not conceal the purpose of the movement: “Everything is common, and everyone should be allocated according to his need ... If a prince, count or lord does not want to do this ... they should cut off his head or hang ".