In 1513, Giovanni de’ Medici was elected pope and became known as Leo X. At the age of thirty-eight, the new pope had and insatiable love for pleasure and the arts, and a complete lack of seriousness. Leo is said to have remarked after his election, “Let us enjoy the papacy since God has given it to us.” (Pope Leo X), and enjoy it he did. Leo’s love of art, theater, music, and expensive entertaining quickly led to his financial ruin. By 1515, after only two years in the papacy, Leo was broke. He quickly turned to the church to raise money to try to recover from his financial embarrass

On October 31, 1517, Luther sent a copy of his Theses along with letters to Albrecht, pleading with him to stop this sell of indulgences, and a few bishops and some friends. (It is now thought to be legend that Luther nailed his theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenburg.) Luther did not expect to receive a prompt response. By the end of 1517, however, copies of the Ninety-five Theses had been translated, printed, and distributed throughout most of Germany, due mostly in part to the new invention of the Guttenberg printing press.

Johann Tetzel, a Dominican monk and one of Albrecht’s merchants used these instructions to sell indulgences in towns throughout Magedburg and Brandenburg. He played on the believer’s consciences by painting vivid pictures in his sermons about their dead parents and relatives burning in purgatory, and all that needed to be done to stop their agony was a simple contribution to the coffer (collection box). Tetzel would further remind that, “As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, The soul from purgatory springs.” (Bainton 60). Friedrich Myconius listened to Tetzel’s preachings for over two years hearing him say that “even if someone had slept with Christ’s dear Mother, the Pope had the power in heaven and on earth to forgive as long as the money was put into the indulgences coffer. And if the Pope would forgive, God also had to forgive.” (Johann Tetzel). In short, “God was no longer God, as he had bestowed all divine power to the Pope.” (Johann Tetzel). Tetzel not only sold indulgences for past sins but for future sins as well. It was these extremely liberal teachings that began the renewed controversy over letters of indulgence.

Albrecht then issued instructions for his merchants under which they were to sell indulgences. In these instructions he allows for plenary, or complete, remission of sin and the ability to receive a letter of indulgence (a note acknowledging the receipt of the indulgence) without penitence or showing remorse for the sin. Believer’s no longer had to attend a church or alter in order to receive their indulgence. Albrecht also gave any Church regular, preacher, or confessor permission to sell these indulgences. In addition to this, he further allows for a plenary indulgence that can be purchased for the already deceased. Albrecht additionally sets the standard schedule by whic

Some topics in this essay:
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