Question 2
So Luther was excommunicated at the Diet of Worms. My interpretation of excommunication is that you are essentially condemned to hell unless you can somehow take back what got you excommunicated. Is my interpretation correct or am I taking it a step too far?
Excommunication basically meant that if you did something against the church rules, you would get some kind of punishment.Apparently, the church was saying that if you broke THEIR rules, you are of to hell. God gives us the chance to apologise for our sins, and if we do, then God leaves it in the past and gives us a fresh start. So if Luther apologised, or ''took back" then he wouldn't go to hell. A Roman church can't decide your future, but God can.
ReplyDeleteWell, maybe just a bit too far. The dictionary meaning of excommunication states that you are being cut off from the church (or any other group) and the Latin form means to literally cut off or kick out of the community. So yes it was harsh, but you are never ever totally condemned to hell. But on the other hand this was the way of thinking in the Renaissance, that you must do good works or buy indulgences(papers that get you further to heaven) to earn salvation. You would be correct that they thought you would go to hell, but in reality, your salvation is by faith alone (Ephesians 2:8).
ReplyDelete