Schmalkaldic Articles

Schmalkaldic Articles

One of the confessions of faith of Lutheranism, written by Martin Luther in 1536 and considered by heads of state of the Schmalkaldic League in 1537. A response to a bull issued by Pope Paul III calling for a general council of the Roman Catholic church to deal with the Reformation, the articles were prepared in order to determine which issues could be negotiated with Roman Catholicism and which could not be compromised. The first section discusses the unity of God, the Holy Trinity, the Incarnation, and Jesus; on these subjects there was no disagreement with the Catholics. The second discusses justification by faith, the chief point of contention. The third deals with such matters as sin, repentance, the sacraments, and confession.