Chapters Nine
& Ten
1. While long-time
colleagues, Luther and Melanchthon often did not see eye-to-eye on theological
and doctrinal issues, especially on the finer points. What was the basic difference between
Melanchthon’s Augsburg Confession and the unaltered Augsburg Confession?
2. Who was Johann
Agricola, and what was the nature of his relationship with Luther?
3. As the Lutheran
reform and the Schmalkald League expanded, the most significant obstacle, aside
from the traditional Roman Catholic authorities, was still the southwest
Germans and the Swiss. The difference of opinion between Luther and Ulrich
Zwingli still blocked the way, even though early in the 1530s Zwingli was
killed in a Swiss war. The issue was still the Eucharist.
On what was the disagreement focused? How did it end?
On what was the disagreement focused? How did it end?
4. In 1536, Pope Paul
III scheduled a council to review the role of Lutheranism in the life of the
Church. This did not go well. Luther’s prodigious Schmalkald Articles were
intended to clarify Luther’s position, but failed to receive acclaim by the
Pope and company. Luther’s health
prevented him from participating fully.
What then came of this effort?
5. Review Luther’s list
of physical ailments in his latter years.
How did they contribute to his temperament and productivity?
6. Review and discuss
Luther’s anti-Semitic positions and comments.
Do they surprise or disappoint you?
7. How was the
Schmalkald League seriously wounded by Philip of Hesse and his “additional”
wife?
8. How did Luther die,
and how did the Reformation live on?
