bavarikon4UMartin Luther, Von der Freiheit eines Christenmenschen, Augsburg 1520 (Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Res/4 Th.u. 103,VIII,15)
Together with “De captivitate babylonica, Foreword” and “Adelsschrift” the work “Von der Freiheit eines Christenmenschen” is considered one of the three essential reformatory pamphlets of the year 1520.
The latter pamphlet Luther composed under the impression of the trial at the Roman Curia during which he was going to be condemned as a heretic. The curia published the judgement by means of the papal bull threatening his excommunication “Exsurge domine” (Arise O Lord). Luther was supposed to revoke his theses within 60 days – otherwise he would be excommunicated. Luther sent his work “Von der Freiheit eines Christenmenschen” together with a conciliatory letter to Pope Leo X (1475–1521, pope 1513–1521). With this final attempt, Luther unsuccessfully tried to convince Leo of the validity of his theses.
In his treatise, Luther set out his ideas of a “new” church in which every Christian can be free of the papal supremacy and of the sacraments administrated by the priesthood. Christians achieve this liberty only by the grace of God. There is no qualification by accomplishments, only faith will bring eternal salvation. At the same time, it is needful to meet one’s fellow human beings, in particular during times of hardship with devotion and love. Nonetheless, for Luther this “willing servitude” is freely given, since it is born out of “free love”.
Luther sent the text not only to the pope but also had it published. It met with an overwhelming response and was disseminated up to 1525 in 20 German editions. The exemplar shown here, is an edition printed in 1520 in Jörg Nadler’s (d. c.1525) workshop in Augsburg.