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107
Smalcald Articles
Dr. Martin Luther
Martin Luther (1483-1546) was a leader of the Protestant Reformation and namesake of the Lutheran Tradition. He was born in Eisleben and was well-educated before entering the University of Erfurt. It was there that, rather than pursue an advanced law degree, Luther became an Augustinian monk. Between 1505 and 1512 he studied and lectured in theology, punctuated by achievement of his Doctorate at Wittenberg. By 1517 Luther was realizing in full the doctrine of justification by faith, as declared by the apostle Paul and Augustine. His publication of 95 theses against indulgences sparked protest throughout Germany, forcing Luther to defend his theology in disputations at Heidelberg and Leipzig. His treatises of 1520 brought him into greater conflict with the papacy, and he was excommunicated. After the Diet of Worms in 1521, he continued to define and uphold his theology, seeking to reform the Church, emphasizing the authority of Scripture and the Pauline doctrine of justification.
The essential doctrines of the faith as set down by Luther and affirmed by Protestant theologians of his day.
These articles, named after a town in Germany, were written by Luther in response to a Council called by the pope (to be held at Mantua, but which did not convene until 1545 at Trent) as a concise summary of Protestant theology and issues of faith for which no concessions could be made. It was written at a time of illness for Luther, and has almost the character of a last testament of faith. In 1537 at Smalcald (or Schmalkald), princes and theologians assembled to affirm and subscribe the articles. It is written in three parts:
  1. "Lofty articles of the divine majesty"
  2. Articles on the work of Christ and redemption
  3. Miscellaneous matters (sacraments, ordination, clerical marriage, monastic vows, etc.)
The last parts dealt with issues and doctrines much in dispute, especially Part 2 which encapsulated the non-negotiable teaching of justification by faith in Christ. The articles were published by Luther in 1538 and became part of the Book of Concord (1580).
Church History
Reformation