Early Spring 1518—Two Publications

The theological debates sparked by Martin Luther’s posting of ninety-five theses on a church door in Wittenberg 1517 picked up new strength in 1518, as Luther published his Sermon on Indulgence and Grace,^{Citation: 1Commonly cited with the German title, Ein Sermon von Ablaß und Gnade, the first edition was issued as, Eynn Sermon von dem Ablasz vnnd gnade … (Wittenberg: Johann Rhau-Grunenberg, 1518). D. Martin Luthers Werke: Kritische Gesamtausgabe; Schriften; Schriften; 69 vols. (Weimar: Böhlau, 1883–), 1:240ff. (Cited hereafter, WA.)} which was enthusiastically received and went through twenty-two printings by 1520. Luther’s opponent, Johann Tetzel, Order of Preachers, inquisitor of heretics, subcommissioner for the preaching of the St. Peter’s indulgence in the Dioceses of Mainz and Magdeburg, responded just a month later with the publication of his Rebuttal.^{Citation: 2Johann Tetzel, Vorlegung gemacht von Bruder Johan Tetzel Prediger Orde[n]s Ketzermeister: wyder eynen vormessen Sermon von tzwentzig irrige[n] Artickeln Bebstlichen ablas vn[d] gnade belange[n]de allen cristglaubige[n] mensche[n] tzuwissen von notten (Leipzig: Melchior Lotter, 1518). See note 14 below.} This work was far less popular, and although it was reprinted in a few sixteenth-century editions of Luther’s collected works, it has remained little noticed, not easily accessible, and never translated into either modern German or English. Only three extant copies are known today, two in German libraries (Staatsbibliothek, Munich and Universitätsbibliothek, Würzburg) and one in the Kessler Reformation Collection of Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University.

With the digitization of Tetzel’s original German pamphlet and its translation into English here, readers can for the first time read the actual words of this much excoriated Dominican. Appearing simple at first glance, the scrutiny demanded in working with the original source both reveals unexpected insights into factors that had a bearing on the initial conflict and foreshadows issues to come.

A brief analysis of the language and format of Tetzel’s work is followed here by an explanation of the translation of the title. Then the Luther-Tetzel exchange, which generated the pamphlet, is outlined to illuminate its historical-chronological setting. Finally, the introduction proposes a reevaluation of Tetzel, based on a careful reading of his own words rather than on rumor and the charges of his opponents.