The Perfect Storm Is Coming – Part III

Dark, Dark Ages

Any deviation from the Pope’s exactions was sufficient cause for the severest punishment to be visited upon the bodies and souls of offenders. Through this error, the people were turned from God to fallible, erring men. Thus, the pope came to be almost universally acknowledged as the vicegerent of God on earth, endowed with authority over church and state.

However, the doctrine of papal supremacy is directly opposed to the teachings of Scripture. Christ said: “Call no man your father [Pope, Papa, Spiritual Father] upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.” Matthew 23:9. “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” Luke 4:8.

It is no coincidence that for hundreds of years people were forbidden to read the Bible or to have it in their houses, while unprincipled priests and prelates interpreted its teachings to sustain their pretensions.

The Bible exalts God, and places finite men in their true position

Those were indeed dark days for the followers of Christ. Faithful standard-bearers were few indeed. Though the truth was not left without witnesses, at times it seemed that error and superstition would wholly prevail, and true religion would be banished. The gospel of Christ was lost sight of, while the forms of religion were multiplied, and people were burdened with rigorous exactions.

People were not only taught to look to mortal man as their mediator, but to trust to their own works to atone for sin. Long pilgrimages, acts of penance, the worship of relics, the erection of churches, shrines, and altars, the payment of large sums to the church-these and many similar acts were enjoined to appease the wrath of God or to secure His favor; as if God were like men, to be angered at trifles, or pacified by gifts or acts of penance!

As the darkness deepened, image worship became more common. The most absurd and superstitious customs prevailed. Candles were burned before images, and prayers were offered to them. Men’s minds were so completely controlled by superstition that reason itself seemed to have lost her sway. Even before the establishment of the papacy, the teachings of heathen philosophers had exerted an influence in the church. Serious errors had been introduced into the Christian faith, including the belief in man’s natural immortality and his consciousness in death. This doctrine laid the foundation for the invocation of saints and the adoration of the Virgin Mary.

In the eleventh century, Pope Gregory VII proclaimed the perfection of the Roman Catholic Church. Among the propositions that he put forth was one declaring that the church had never erred, nor would it ever err, according to the Scriptures. However, the Scripture proofs did not accompany the assertion. Next, he arrogantly claimed the authority to depose emperors, and declared that any one could reverse no sentence that he pronounced, but that it was his prerogative to reverse the decisions of all others.

Then, in the thirteenth century was established that most terrible of all the machinations of the papacy – the Inquisition. In their secret councils, the minds of evil men invented tortures too horrible for human eyes to behold. The mangled forms of millions of martyrs cried out to God for vengeance.

Presumptuous, even blasphemous titles claimed for the pope have been embellished and enlarged over the centuries. A few of these boastful claims appear in an ecclesiastical (Roman Catholic) dictionary, by Lucius Farraris, entitled Prompta Bibliotheca Canonica, Vol. VI, pgs 438, 442, article “Pope.” The Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913 edition, Vol. VI, p. 48, speaks of this book as “a veritable encyclopedia of religious knowledge,” and “a precious mine of information.”

“The pope is of so great dignity and so exalted that he is not a mere man, but as it were God, and the vicar of God.”

“Hence the pope is crowned with a triple crown, as king of heaven and of earth and of the lower regions.”

“So that if it were possible that the angels might err in the faith, or might think contrary to the faith, they could be judged and excommunicated by the pope.”

“The pope is as it were God on earth, sole sovereign of the faithful of Christ, chief king of kings, having plenitude of power, to whom has been entrusted by the omnipotent God direction not only of the earthly but also of the heavenly kingdom.”

“The pope can modify divine law, since his power is not of man but of God.”

Popery became the world’s despot. Kings and emperors bowed to the decrees of the Roman pontiff. The destinies of men, both for time and for eternity, seemed under his control. For hundreds of years the doctrines of Rome had been extensively and implicitly received, its rites reverently performed, and its festivals observed. Its clergy were honored and liberally sustained. However, “the noon of the papacy was the midnight of the world.” –J.A. Wylie, The History of Protestantism, b.1, ch. 4.


Light in Darkness

Foremost among those who were called to lead the church from that spiritual darkness into the light of a purer faith, stood Martin Luther. Luther was the man for his time. Through him, God accomplished a great work for the reformation of the church and the enlightenment of the world.

A retentive memory, strong reasoning powers, and untiring application soon placed Luther foremost in rank among his associates. One day while examining books in the university library, Luther discovered a Latin Bible. He was ignorant even of its existence. He had heard portions of the Gospels and Epistles read at public worship, and he supposed that these were the entire Bible. Now, for the first time, he looked upon the whole of God’s word. With awe he exclaimed, “O that God would give me such a book for myself!” –J.H. Merle D’ Aubigne, History of the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century, b. 2, ch.2.

An earnest desire to be free from sin and to find peace with God led him to enter a cloister and devote himself to a monastic life. Luther patiently endured his humiliation, believing that it was necessary because of his sins. As his conviction of sin deepened, he sought by his own works to obtain pardon and peace. With fasting, vigils, and scourging he endeavored to subdue the evils of his nature. Luther said, “I was indeed a pious monk, and followed the rules of my order more strictly that I can express. If ever monk could attain heaven by his monkish works, I should certainly have been entitled to it…If I had continued much longer, I should have carried my mortifications even to death.” –D’ Aubigne, b. 2, ch. 3.

“Look To Christ”

When it appeared to Luther that all was lost, God raised up a friend and helper. The pious Staupitz urged him to look away from himself, and look to Jesus as his sin-pardoning Savior. “Instead of torturing yourself on account of your sins, cast yourself into the arms of your Redeemer. Trust in Him, in the righteousness of His life, in the atonement of His death….Listen to the Son of God. He became a man to give you the assurance of divine favor. Love Him who first loved you.” –D’ Aubigne, b. 2, ch. 4. His words made a deep impression upon Luther’s mind. After many struggles with long-cherished errors, he grasped this truth, and found peace.

______________________________

“The noon of the
papacy was the midnight
of the world.”

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Luther was a true son of the papal church, and had no thought that he would ever be anything else. However, in the providence of God he was led to visit Rome. At the convent in Italy he wondered at the wealth, magnificence, and luxury that he witnessed. The monks lived in splendid apartments, and attired themselves in the richest and most costly robes, and feasted at sumptuous tables. Luther contrasted this scene with the self-denial and hardship of his own life.

When at last Luther beheld in the distance the seven-hilled city, he prostrated himself upon the earth, exclaiming, “Holy Rome, I salute thee!”-D’ Aubigne, b. 2, ch. 6.

He entered the city, visited the churches, listened to the marvelous tales repeated by priests and monks, and performed all the ceremonies required. Everywhere he saw scenes that filled him with astonishment and revulsion. He saw that iniquity existed among all classes of the clergy. He heard indecent jokes from prelates, and was filled with horror at their awful profanity, even during mass. “No one can imagine,” he wrote, “what sins and infamous actions are committed in Rome; they must be seen and heard to be believed. Thus they are in the habit of saying, ‘If there is a hell, Rome is built over it: it is an abyss whence issues every kind of sin.’” – D’ Aubigne, b. 2, ch. 6.


“Pilate’s Staircase”

By a recent decree, an indulgence had been promised by the pope to all who should ascend upon their knees “Pilate’s staircase,” said to have been descended by Christ on leaving the Roman judgment hall, and to have been miraculously conveyed from Jerusalem to Rome. One day Luther was devoutly climbing these steps, when suddenly a voice like thunder seemed to say to him, “The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17. He sprang to his feet, and hastened from the place, in shame and dismay. From that time he saw more clearly than ever before the fallacy of trusting to human works for salvation. His eyes had been opened, and were never again to be closed by errors of the papacy. From that time, the separation grew wider, until he severed all connection with the papal church.

After his return from Rome, Luther received the degree of Doctor of Divinity at the University of Wittenberg. He took a solemn vow to preach the Word of God, instead of the sayings and doctrines of the popes. He firmly declared that Christians should receive no other doctrines than those that rest on the authority of Scripture. These words struck at the very foundation of papal supremacy, and contained the vital principle of the Reformation.

“Sin For Sale”

The Roman Church made merchandise of the grace of God. Under the plea of raising funds for the erection of St. Peter’s church at Rome, indulgences for sin were publicly offered for sale by authority of the pope. By the price of a crime, a temple was to be built for God’s worship-the cornerstone laid with the wages of iniquity. It was this heresy that aroused Luther and led to the battle which he shook the papal throne.

The official appointed to conduct the sale of indulgences in Germany-Tetzel by name-was employed to further the mercenary and unscrupulous projects of the pope. Tetzel related marvelous tales to deceive an ignorant, credulous, and superstitious people. Had they possessed the Word of God, they would not have been so easily deceived.

As Tetzel would enter a town, a messenger went before him, announcing, “The grace of God and of the Holy father is at your gates.” –D’ Aubigne, b. 3, ch. 1. Tetzel declared that by virtue of his certificates of pardon, all the sins which the purchaser should afterward desire to commit would be forgiven him, and that “not even repentance is necessary.” –D’ Aubigne, b. 3, ch. 1.

More than this, he assured his hearers that the indulgences had power to save not only the living but also the dead; that the very moment the money should clink against the bottom of his chest, the soul in whose behalf it had been paid would escape from purgatory and make its way to heaven. (See K.R. Hagenbach, History of the Reformation, Vol. 1, p. 96).

Many in Luther’s congregation purchased certificates of pardon, and soon came to their pastor, confessing their sins, and expecting absolution, not because they were penitent and wished to reform, but on the ground of their indulgence. Luther refused them absolution, and warned them that unless they should repent and reform their lives, they would perish in their sins. Perplexed, they returned to Tetzel complaining that their confessor refused his certificates.

Some boldly demanded that their money be returned. Filled with rage, Tetzel uttered the most terrible curses, caused fires to be lighted in the public squares, and declared that he “had received an order from the pope to burn all heretics who presumed to oppose his most holy indulgences.” –D’ Aubigne, b. 3, ch. 4.

Luther’s voice was heard from the pulpit in earnest, solemn warning. With conviction, Luther explained that the grace of God could not be purchased; it is a free gift. He counseled the people not to buy the indulgences.


Ninety-five Times No!

Luther decided a more effectual protest was necessary against these abuses. The castle church of Wittenberg possessed many relics, which on certain holy days were exhibited to the people, and full remission of sins was granted to all who then visited the church and made confession. As the festival of “All-Saints,” approached, Luther joined crowds making their way to the church. There he posted on its door a paper containing ninety-five propositions against the doctrine of indulgences.

These propositions attracted universal attention. They were read and re-read and repeated in every direction. Great excitement was created in the university and in the whole city. By these theses, it was shown that the power to grant the pardon of sin, and to remit its penalty, had never been committed to the pope or any other man. The whole scheme was a farce-an artifice to extort money by playing upon the superstitions of the people. It was also shown that the grace of God is freely bestowed upon all who seek it by repentance and faith.

In a few days, Luther’s questions spread through all Germany, and quickly sounded throughout Christendom. Many devout Catholics, including princes and magistrates, who lamented the terrible iniquity prevailing in the church, read the propositions with great joy.  They felt that the Lord had graciously set His hand to arrest the rapidly swelling tide of corruption issuing from the seat of Rome.

In an appeal for the Reformation of Christianity, Luther wrote to the emperor and nobility of Germany concerning the pope: “It is a horrible thing to behold the man who styles himself Christ’s vicegerent, displaying a magnificence that no emperor can equal. Is this being like the poor Jesus, or the humble Peter? He is, say they, the lord of the world! However, Christ, whose vicar he boasts of being, said, ‘My kingdom is not of this world.’ Can the dominions of a vicar extend beyond those of his superior?” –D’ Aubigne, b. 6, ch. 3.

His appeal was rapidly circulated throughout Germany, and exerted a powerful influence upon the people. His opponents desired revenge, and urged the pope to take decisive measures against him. Sixty days were granted the Reformer and his adherents, after which, if they did not recant, they were all to be excommunicated.

A Final Separation

It was not without a terrible struggle that Luther decided upon a final separation from the church. The pope threatened Luther with excommunication if he did not recant; now the threat was fulfilled. A new bull appeared, declaring the Reformer’s final separation from the Roman church, denouncing him as accursed of Heaven, and including in the same condemnation all who received his doctrines. So began the contest between Scripture and the traditions of men; between Protestantism and Roman Catholicism.

“Unless therefore I am convinced by the testimony of Scripture or by the clearest reasoning; unless I am persuaded by means of the passages I have quoted, and unless they render my conscience bound by the Word of God, I cannot and I will not retract, for it is unsafe for a Christian to speak against his conscience. Here I stand, I can do no other; may God help me.”

-Martin Luther, at his trial.

Opposition is a lot of all whom God employs to present truths especially applicable to their time.

There was a present truth in the days of Luther – a truth at the time of special importance; there is a present truth for the church today. The forms of opposition to the truth may change, but the same antagonism still exists, and will be manifested to the end of time.