“Since your serene Majesty and your lordships request a simple answer, I shall give it, with no strings and no catches. Unless I am convicted by the testimony of Scripture or plain reason (for I believe neither in the pope nor councils alone since it is agreed they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted, and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I neither can nor will revoke anything, for it is neither safe nor honest to act against one’s conscience. . . . Here I stand, I can do no other.”
—Martin Luther, speech to Charles V,
as quoted in The European Emergence: Time Frame A.D. 1500–1600
Why doesn’t Luther believe in the pope or councils?
a.
They are always right.
c.
They have often erred.
b.
They have often taken his side.
d.
They are out to get him.