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Luther at the Diet of Worms

© John L. Hoh, Jr.

Luther didn't see any proof against his theses or views which would move him to recant: "Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason - I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other - my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise God help me. Amen."

Did Luther actually say, "Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise"? Scholars today debate this point. Some say there are records that seem to indicate Luther never said these words, even though they are as etched as "sola fide, sola gratia, and sola scriptura" in the minds of Lutherans. Realize that many people kept notes of the proceedings. And I have yet to find whether an official transcript was kept. As with many documents in history, we have to piece together the events from different sources. Knowing Luther's frank manner of talking, I have no doubt that he said these words.

After he left the negotiations room, Luther said "I am finished." And he was for the time finished. Luther was dismissed, and not arrested because he had a letter of safe conduct (Schutzbrief) which guaranteed him 21 days of safe travel through the land. He headed home on April 25, 1521.

As soon as Luther and the princes who supported him left Worms, the emperor imposed an Imperial Act (Wormser Edikt) declaring Luther an outlaw. Luther could be killed by anyone without threat of punishment. But that would be taken care of. On the trip home, Elector Friedrich the Wise allowed Luther to be kidnapped on May 4. This took place on the one hand to guarantee Luther's safety and on the other hand to let him disappear from the scene for a short while. There were even rumors of Luther's death. In this way the Elector was not endangered for protecting an outlaw and heretic.

Luther was taken to the secluded Wartburg Castle and the Reformation had time to stabilize and strengthen itself.

In my research, I found this piece about Jews in Worms at the time of Luther. This picture shows a Jewish couple from Worms, Germany, with the obligatory yellow badge on their clothes. The man holds a moneybag and bulbs of garlic, both often used in the portrayal of Jews. I wonder if this is where another German leader, centuries later, would get the idea of using a yellow Star of David?