XIX.

The nineteenth erroneous article reads as follows:

“Nineteenth, in these points I have no doubts and they are sufficiently grounded in Scripture. Therefore, you should also have no doubt and let the Scholastic Doctors remain Scholastics. Taken all together they are not enough with their opinions to substantiate a sermon.”

REBUTTAL ¶ It is refuted in Christian manner accordingly: First, this article and all the articles cited are totally ungrounded in Scripture. For the articles contradict the practice of the holy Roman Church and the teaching of all modern, venerable Christian teachers. If St. Augustine together with the three other ancient, venerable Doctors of the Church had foreseen that the authority of the papal office and of the Roman Church concerning indulgences would be so despised by erring persons, they would certainly have forestalled it with their writings. Modern revered theologians have, however, experienced and heard how malicious men have been speaking, preaching, and writing against the pope and the validity of indulgences, and they have challenged this, based on solid Christian foundation. Nor has the holy Roman Church rebuked or censored them for doing so.

This article also states, “One should let the “Doctores Scholasticos” remain “Scholastics,” for taken all together, they with their opinions are unable to substantiate a sermon.” [And further,] ignorant people hold this opinion of the venerable scholastic doctors, for these venerable “Doctores” uncover and oppose all new errors. Therefore, wrong-thinking people deride them. However, the holy Roman Church together with the whole community of sacred Christendom are in unanimous agreement that the revered venerable “Doctores Scholasticos” buttress the holy Christian faith against the heretics with their truly salvific teaching based on solid Christian doctrine. And what is more, they are certainly able to preach a sermon! Thus this article makes sport of them quite unfairly and shamefully and contrary to all reason and truth.

Further, all the erroneous articles are characterized by abruptness and obscurity, perhaps because they are intended to be interpreted however one will and in any direction. The great scandal that they elicit, however, ought to have been considered beforehand. For because of them many people will hold the magisterium and jurisdiction of His Papal Holiness and the holy Roman See in contempt. The works of sacramental reparation will also cease. People will no longer believe preachers and theologians. Everyone will want to interpret Holy Scripture according to his own whim. Through this, all of holy Christendom must come into great spiritual danger, since each person will believe what best pleases him. In time, as the deceptive article announces, the modern revered theologians, in whom for many centuries Christianity has placed great confidence, shall no longer be considered credible. For these reasons this article is entirely erroneous.

Submitted in acknowledgment of the holy Roman See and of all Christian universities and theologians.