Title: Against the Murderous, Thieving Hordes of Peasants - Wikipedia
Headings: Against the Murderous, Thieving Hordes of Peasants
Against the Murderous, Thieving Hordes of Peasants
Contents
Context
The Peasants' War
Luther and the Peasants: Reluctant Inspiration
Luther and Müntzer: contrasts in leadership
The Twelve Articles of the Christian Union of Upper Swabia
Luther's writings
Admonition to Peace
Against the Murderous, Thieving Hordes of Peasants
Open Letter on the Harsh Book Against the Peasants
Aftermath: Luther and Protestantism
References
Further reading
Primary sources
Secondary sources

Content: Luke 22:35–38 and Matthew 10:34. To a peasantry oppressed in so many ways on so many levels, the leadership of men like Müntzer and the inspiration of scripture that appeared to justify violence would make rebellion seem very tempting indeed. Furthermore, Luther's attacks on the Roman Catholic church can be said to have inspired various groups to raise arms in revolution. Peasants related to Luther's appeals against the clergy and ideas about Christian freedom, and wished to ‘wreak vengeance upon all their oppressors’. More powerful members of society, including burghers and lesser nobility, sought to break the power of the clergy, escape the demands of Rome, and gain financially from the confiscation of church property. When pressure built around these revolutionary ideas, Luther had to choose a side, and he joined with loyal burghers, the nobility, and princes. In siding with lawful authority, Luther preached peaceful progress and passive resistance in such documents as To the Christian Nobility of the German Nation in 1520. He believed that there were no circumstances under which violence should be used on behalf of the Gospel with the exception of efforts against the work of Satan. Luther and Müntzer: contrasts in leadership
Luther stated that he did “not wish the Gospel defended by force and bloodshed.