The Word Endures: Lessons From the Lives of Powerful Politicians

Transcription

1 The Word Endures: Lessons From the Lives of Powerful Politicians by James F. Korthals Leader s Guide Lesson 1 The Miracle of Wittenberg (Frederick the Wise) Lesson 2 God Works Through Politics on Behalf of His Word.. 12 (Emperor Charles V and King Francis I) Lesson 3 Taking a Stand for the Gospel (John the Steadfast).. 21 Lesson 4 God is Able to Remove Opposition (Duke George the Bearded and Duke Henry the Pious) Lesson 5 An Unwavering Faith (John Frederick the Magnanimous) Lesson 6 Willing to Compromise (Landgrave Philip of Hesse) Lesson 7 The Judas of Meissen (Duke Maurice of Saxony) Lesson 8 Prince of the Church (Pope Leo X). 64

2 Leader s Note In order to know more about our Reformation heritage and the people God used to carry out his work at the time of the Reformation, we need to hear their story. In the middle section of each lesson ( The Power of the Word in the Reformation ) there will be larger sections of text about the lives of powerful politicians in Luther s day. For each of these sections, the directions for a learning activity will be given to the participants. Instead of simply listening to a commentary read, the participants will need to be looking for items in the text that will help them formulate an answer. This is a way of having participants add new content or material to what they currently know about a subject. It is likely that most in the study will not have much familiarity with the politicians active during the Reformation era. The leader, if he or she is used to reading out loud, is encouraged to be the reader of the commentary or have someone with very competent reading skills read for the study. The study can drag and participants can be discouraged if a person struggles reading the longer sections of text. One suggestion is to ask a competent reader ahead of time to serve as the our designated reader for the history sections. Throughout the study there will be suggestions for having the participants work in groups. Group work allows more participation by those in the study. When asking for the groups or individuals to report what they discovered or how they answered, take a sampling from each group or individual. Rather than asking each group to give all the answers their group wrote down, have the groups give only one answer. After the first group or two has a turn, ask the next groups to share only new ideas. This will avoid time being spent on repeats. In the learning activities that suggest participants work in groups, the phrase or on your own if you prefer may be included. Some estimate that percent of individuals are introverts. Some introverts would rather not work in larger groups with others but prefer to work through the materials on their own first. Also, having silent reflection for one to two minutes or pairing up with one other person before asking for feedback can help. Introverts will feel more comfortable giving answers to a larger group if they are allowed to process through the information on their own or if another person has accepted their ideas (as in a pair).

3 Copyrights and Permissions The material on this disk may be adapted, printed, and copied by the purchaser of this kit. However, the following notice must appear at the bottom of the first page of each lesson of the student lessons: 2016 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission. Ownership of this material belongs to either a congregation or an individual, but not both. Purchase by a congregation: Purchase of this material by a congregation gives Bible study leaders of that congregation permission to adapt and copy this material for use in one or more groups within that congregation. (Dual parishes may purchase one copy for use in both congregations.) Purchase by a pastor or other Bible study leader: Purchase of this material by an individual gives the buyer permission to adapt and copy this material for Bible classes he or she teaches or supervises. Buyer has permission to use this material only in the congregation he or she is currently serving or attending. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc. Northwestern Publishing House 1250 N. 113th St., Milwaukee, WI Northwestern Publishing House Published 2016 ISBN The Word Endures: Lessons From the Lives of Powerful Politicians 3

4 Lesson 1 The Miracle of Wittenberg (Frederick the Wise) Worship Read responsively Psalm 145:3-9. Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They tell of the power of your awesome works and I will proclaim your great deeds. They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. Prayer: Almighty and eternal God, draw our hearts to you and guide our minds so that we may be entirely dedicated to you. Then use us, we pray, as you will, to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. Introduction Option: Divide the class in two and have one half of the class answer question 1 and the other half of the class answer question 2. Hear sample answers from each group. Take 30 seconds and write down characteristics of someone who is religious. The Word Endures: Lessons From the Lives of Powerful Politicians 4

5 Take a sample of the answers. Possible answers: someone who is a member of a church and regularly attends; someone who doesn t swear; an honest person. Take 30 seconds and write down characteristics of someone who is pious. Take a sample of the answers. Possible answers here might sound very similar to the above but would indicate a deeper devotion, putting Christian principles into practice. Religious and pious. Many people today consider these two words to be synonymous. In their minds if you are religious you are also pious. In 16th-century Germany, religion and piety were two different concepts. You might know the facts about religion, but putting that knowledge into practice was piety. This was an important distinction because the church taught that the people were responsible for gaining God s favor by the lives they led. Instead of concentrating on what God had done for them, the people were thinking about what they had to do for God. The promises of God were forgotten as people concentrated on a personal piety that would win his favor. The Power of the Word in the Early Church 1. As we read these verses from Philippians chapter 3, circle three important truths Paul raises when it comes to personal piety (or being religious). Be prepared to share your choices. Philippians 3: Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh 4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. 7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may The Word Endures: Lessons From the Lives of Powerful Politicians 5

6 gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Ask participants to share one of the truths they circled and explain why they circled it. Also instruct them to share only what another has not said yet, so as not to get a number of repeats. 2. Read through the following commentary about this section of Philippians. Pick out one thing that struck you that you either hadn t heard before or thought was a really good point to remember. Thanks to the gospel proclamation of the apostle Paul, the church in Philippi was faithful and flourishing. Unfortunately, Judaizers, Jewish teachers who said it was necessary to keep all the laws of Moses, were causing confusion. They mixed the observance of Mosaic Law with the teachings of Christ and his sacrifice for sins. As a result, Paul warns the Philippians: Watch out for those dogs. That sounds harsh, but the apostle is referencing what Isaiah the prophet had written seven hundred years earlier, Israel's watchmen are blind, they all lack knowledge; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they lie around and dream, they love to sleep (Isaiah 56:10). The Judaizers were dogs because in their hatred of the truth, they were barking and biting at the faithful gospel proclaimers. They considered the keeping of rules and regulations to be of primary importance, in opposition to the faith of Christ. Paul calls them evil workers, for they tore at the church of Christ and tried to cut it to pieces as they held on to the abolished rites of the Old Testament. In contrast, Paul describes true Christians those who are really connected with God. True Christians worship in the spirit. The Old Testament ceremonial and dietary laws were concerned about meats, drinks, and a variety of washings. These were all outward matters. True Christianity moves away from this emphasis and teaches us to worship God in spirit (cf. John. 4:24). Religion has no value if our hearts are not in it. In the past, God made it the duty of the Israelites to worship him in the temple with sacrifices and offerings; but now that Christ has come, those shadows are done away. We rejoice in Christ Jesus only. Our confidence is not in the things we do but in what Christ has done for us. The Word Endures: Lessons From the Lives of Powerful Politicians 6

7 If anyone could boast in his position as an Israelite, it was Paul. He had as much to boast of as any Jew. He was not a proselyte but a native Israelite. He was of the tribe of Benjamin, which stayed with Judah when the northern ten tribes revolted. He was a Hebrew of the Hebrews. Both his father and mother were Israelites, as were previous generations of his family. He could boast of his relation to the church and the covenant, for he was circumcised on the eighth day. As far as learning was concerned, he was a Pharisee, brought up at the feet of Gamaliel, an eminent doctor of the law, and Paul himself was a scholar in all the learning of the Jews. He had been active in his religion, even persecuting those whom he looked upon as enemies of Judaism. However, Paul tells us what little value he placed on these things in comparison to his interest in Christ and his expectation of blessings from him. All his honors and privileges as a Jew and a Pharisee, these were garbage compared to what he now had in Christ. The apostle had his heart set upon Christ as his righteousness. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Lord our righteousness (see also Isaiah 45:24; Jeremiah 23:6). The apostle had his heart set upon heaven as his happiness. The happiness of heaven is here called the resurrection of the dead. Although the souls of the faithful are immediately with Christ when they die, yet their happiness will not be complete until the general resurrection of the dead at the last day. At that time soul and body will be glorified together. Paul was willing to do anything, or suffer anything, that he might attain that resurrection. This hope carried him through all the difficulties he met with in his work. Paul did not hope to win this through his own merit and righteousness, but through the merit and righteousness of Jesus Christ. Ask participants to share one of the interesting points or new things they learned. After hearing a couple of answers, ask others to share only what another has not said yet, so as not to get a number of repeats. The Power of the Word in the Reformation 3. Frederick the Wise, the elector of Saxony, was a very important figure during the early part of the Reformation. As we read this section, try to empathize with Frederick. What do you think he struggled with while living his Christian faith? Put a star by the sentences you think help answer this question. After reading through the section, ask the participants to share what they starred or what conclusions they drew after reading this section. Possible answers: As a powerful ruler, how do you show love to common people? Sharing with those who were less fortunate. In general, being concerned about people who labor for and serve you. Also, hearing Luther s teachings that The Word Endures: Lessons From the Lives of Powerful Politicians 7

8 were now going against what he had heard his church teach for so many years had to be a struggle for him. Time, perhaps, will show if I have been a good diviner. That was Frederick the Wise s response in 1517 to the question of allowing Martin Luther to continue at the University of Wittenberg after Luther posted the Ninety-five Theses. But that doesn t mean that he was unaware of the consequences of the theses. You will see that the pope will not like this, Frederick reportedly muttered when he learned what was actually in the Ninetyfive Theses. Yet Frederick is remembered as the man who protected Luther when the Catholic Church and the Holy Roman Empire were trying to capture and kill him. Frederick was born in Hartenfels Castle, Torgau, on January 17, 1463, the first son of Ernst of the House of Wettin. When his father died suddenly in 1486, Frederick became the ruler of Ernestine Saxony and one of the seven electors of the Holy Roman Empire. As an elector, he was one of the most powerful men in the German territories. Although his title was officially Elector Frederick III, history has labeled him Frederick the Wise. His work in the secular and in the ecclesiastical realms made him deserving of the designation the Wise. A man of deep personal piety, he did not use his secular authority rashly. He worked to make his principality more prosperous, and he managed to keep his territory out of war during his lifetime. As the prince of Electoral Saxony, he was also responsible for providing for his people spiritually. As was the case throughout the Middle Ages, the prince saw to it that churches were built and maintained. It was also his responsibility to see that priests functioned in those churches. Frederick took the spiritual well-being of his people seriously. According to the Catholic Church of his day, Frederick had been taught that a person was responsible for making himself acceptable before God. In 1493 he went on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to earn God s favor. In Jerusalem he was made a knight of the Holy Sepulcher. This trip added to his interest in religious relics. For much of his life he became a compulsive collector of relics. Among the thousands of relics in his collection were the (supposed) threads of Mary and Joseph's clothing, bits of the Holy Cradle, and the remains of infants slaughtered at Bethlehem. Frederick even had an agent who scoured Europe for relics to add to his collection. In 1507 Pope Julius II issued a bull that directed all archbishops, bishops, abbots, and prelates of the entire Roman Empire to send parts of their relic collections to Frederick. This special privilege fit perfectly with Frederick s grand plan to make Wittenberg an attraction for pilgrims from all over the empire. Although he wanted Wittenberg to The Word Endures: Lessons From the Lives of Powerful Politicians 8

9 become a showcase, Frederick also had a religious goal in doing this. He believed that by providing people with the opportunity to venerate these relics, he was helping them to get out of purgatory sooner. Although Frederick had permission to offer limited indulgences to those who viewed his relics, he did not favor all indulgences. Like many others who lived and worked in the northern German states, Frederick resented the huge amounts of money "taken" from them in the form of indulgence payments and sent to Rome. When Pope Leo X decided to announce another indulgence-selling campaign to further finance the construction of St. Peter s Basilica in Rome, Frederick drew the line. He barred Johann Tetzel, the master indulgence salesman, from selling the new indulgences in Saxony. Although Frederick officially remained a member of the Catholic Church throughout his life, he seems to have been drawn into sympathy with the reformers, probably through his connection with the University of Wittenberg. In 1502 he founded this university where Luther taught from 1512 until the end of Frederick s life. During Luther's lifetime, Wittenberg became the home and intellectual center of the Reformation movement of which Frederick was the faithful protector, although he was only active in the background. He wanted to follow what Scripture had to say and he appreciated what Luther was doing to bring the truths of Scripture to his people. Late in life Frederick was in poor health, overweight, and troubled by stones in his kidneys and bladder. He was already unable to ride a horse. He often had to be carried in a litter (a covered and curtained couch with poles for carrying). Occasionally he could not move at all. Yet until his death in 1525, Frederick fought to fend off all attacks against Luther. Was Frederick the Wise a convert to Lutheranism? There is no definitive answer to that question. After 1520 he began to disperse his relic collection. But true to form, he kept his personal religious feelings secret. He never met with Luther directly but always through intermediaries, most notable his secretary, George Spalatin, who was a friend of Luther. Only once did Frederick the Wise articulate his position about Luther in writing: There are learned men in the universities who hold that his [Luther s] teaching has not been shown to be unjust, unchristian, or heretical. The few who think so are jealous of his attainments. If we understood his doctrine to be impious or untenable, we would not defend it. Our whole purpose is to fulfill the office of a Christian prince... As for sending him to Rome or banishing him, that we will do only after he has been convicted of heresy. His offer to debate and submit to the judgment of the universities ought to be considered. He should be shown in what respect he is a heretic and not condemned in advance. ( The Word Endures: Lessons From the Lives of Powerful Politicians 9

10 That was Frederick s constant position in the Luther Affair. As a Christian prince, he stood like a wall against injustice and in favor of God s Word. He died at his hunting lodge in Lochau on May 5, Return to question number 3 to hear responses from the participants. 4. After hearing about Frederick the Wise, in what ways is The Miracle of Wittenberg an appropriate title for this lesson? Possible answers: Unlike many other rulers, Frederick was concerned about the well-being of his people. It would have been easier for him to turn Luther over to the Catholic Church and to Emperor Charles V, emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. By not doing that, he placed himself in jeopardy. The Power of the Word Today Spiritual but not religious is a popular phrase used to identify an individual s personal view that rejects traditional organized religion as the sole or most valuable means of furthering spiritual growth. One survey reports that as many as 33 percent of Americans identify themselves as spiritual but not religious. After the Second World War, spirituality and religion became disconnected, and spirituality became a more subjective experience. Today, individuals determine for themselves what religion should be. The declining membership of organized religions and the growth of secularism in the western world are evidence of this broader view of spirituality. 5. Why do you think spiritual but not religious is a popular response for 33 percent of Americans? Possible answer: It allows them to define religion for themselves. They do not have to follow the teachings of any particular denomination. They can feel good about themselves because they define their own relationship with God. 6. How do people you know view religion? Possible answer: great variety possible here, from very positive to very negative. The Word Endures: Lessons From the Lives of Powerful Politicians 10

11 7. Why do some consider religion a positive benefit to their lives while others view religion as a negative to be rejected? Possible answer: Personal experiences might well cause people to have a variety of opinions on religion. For example, seeing a family member placed under church discipline might cause a person who did not understand the reason for such an action to turn his back on all religion. 8. What is one lesson from today s study you will want to remember? Answers will vary. Hear a sampling. Summary What is religion? It is not a matter of an individual s decision. We do not determine what is valuable for our relationship with God. Our Lord has provided us with his Word and in that Word he tells us those things that are important for us to know. In a world that insists people know what is best for them, our God still has our best interest in mind. For us to know Jesus Christ as our Savior and to believe the inspired Word of God as it has been given to us in the Bible, this is no less a miracle today than it was at the time of the Reformation. Truly happy are those who take God at his word. At Home This week, look for ways to help the people around you see the value of a true religion that centers on Christ and his sacrifice for us and for all. What words or actions can you carry out this week that send messages of how valuable your faith-life is to you? The Word Endures: Lessons From the Lives of Powerful Politicians 11