PT I:
1. What was the peasants' position on paying tithes and what was the basis for their position?
The peasant's position on paying tithes is that of only providing the amount established in the Old Testament. Quote from the second article:
According as the just tithe is established by the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New, we are ready and willing to pay the fair tithe of grain. The word of God plainly provides that in giving rightly to God and distributing to his people the services of a pastor are required.
The basis of their position, comes from "the word of God", or the bible, particularly the Old Testament. Note the usage of their religious words:
According as the just tithe is established by the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New (emphasis added).
The small tithes... we will not pay at all, for the Lord God created cattle for the free use... We will not, therefore, pay further... tithe which is of man's invention.
2. How did the peasants argue that they should be free? What do they mean when they say their intention is not to be entirely free?
The peasants argue particularly based on religion, in that, quote:
...since Christ redeemed all of us with his precious blood... with no exceptions. Accordingly, we hereby declare that we are free and want to remain free.
The peasants, in this case, use argumentum ad verecundiam, and argue using the teachings of the bible. (Remember, during this era the Catholic Church was the most powerful organization in western Europe).
In accordance with the peasants arguing that they do not want to be entirely free, it is simply on the basis of how Manor System works. In the Manor system, serfs exchange their right of freedom to be taken into a system in which they are provided protection in return for their labor. As such, in arguing that instead of completely breaking away, they are only returning to the original agreed upon labor, it means that they do not want to do away with the Manor system, but to simply allow more room for them to use their rights.
3. How did peasants argue against restrictions on their use of natural resources?
The peasants once again use argumentum ad verecundiam, and argue that on the basis that since God did not deny individuals the ability to hunt or fish, then they as individuals should be able to as well. Quote:
...since when God our Lord created man, he gave him power over all beasts, the birds in the air and the fish in the water (emphasis added).
Therefore,
...it is unbrotherly and not in accordance with the word of God that the poor man is not entitled to hunt game or fowl, or to fish.
It is important that this argument works during this time period, as the majority of lords hail under a system of religion depending on where their estate is found, and are under obligation of the religious laws and duties.
PT II:
1. What was Luther's position about the right to rebel against wicked rulers and how did he support his argument?
Luther's position in the right to rebel was that it was against the Christian beliefs, and was not the intentions of what he wrote. The most noteworthy passage is his first point, in which he states, quote:
First, the Gospel is not a cause of rebellion and disturbance, because it is a message about Christ, the promised Messiah, whose words... teach nothing but love, peace, patience, and unity...
As such, Luther appeals to the Christian element of the peasants, and calls them to decease, and that to revolt is the work of the devil.
How, then, can the antichristians call the Gospel a cause of revolt and disturbance? But the fact that some antichristians... resist these demands and requests is not the fault of the Gospel, but of the devil...
As such, Luther calls for the rebellion to cease.
2. Why did Luther reject the peasant's third article? What did "Christian liberty/Christian freedom mean to Luther?
Luther rejects the peasant's third article, as freedom in the Christian sense, as he interprets it, is not of the physical, but of the spiritual. One thing that he eludes to is Ephesians 6:5:
Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service... but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart...
as well as Colossians 3:22:
Bondservants, obey in everything those who you are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service... but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.