**PROTESTANT STRUGGLE FOR LIBERTY** NOVEMBER 4th 1551

An important early document on how Christians might deal with tyrants:
One of the earliest Protestant statements on the place of resistance to wicked rulers is the Magdeburg Confession. The confession was written by a group of German pastors at Magdeburg laying out why they had to resist the 1548 Interim of Charles V. Among other things, it set out the doctrine of the lesser magistrates, but more on that in a moment.

Given that religion and politics were so closely intertwined at the time, it is not surprising that the Confession dealt with both matters. But before proceeding, a bit of an historical overview – via a timeline – should be offered here.

Timeline

1483 – Luther is born.
1497-1498 – Luther a student at Magdeburg.
1505 – Luther’s conversion.
1517 – Luther posts his 95 Theses.
1521 – The Edict of Worms condemns Luther and the Reformation.
1530 – The Diet of Augsburg convened by Charles V to deal with religious differences. Philip Melanchthon represents Luther, with the “Augsburg Confession” being presented there.
1531 – The Schmalkaldic League is formed. It was a military alliance of Lutheran princes within the Holy Roman Empire. The Lutheran city Magdeburg is one of the first to join.
1546 – Luther dies.
May 15, 1548 – Emperor Charles V imposes his Interim, seeking to force Protestants back into Catholicism.
April 13, 1550 – The Magdeburg Confession is written.
October, 1550 – The siege of Magdeburg begins.
November 4, 1551 – The siege is lifted after the defenders of the city withstand the forces of Charles V.