ABSTRACT
On April 17, 1521, a controversial monk and professor of scripture from the University of Wittenberg appeared before Emperor Charles V at the imperial diet in Worms. Condemned for heresy in the previous year by the papal Bull, Exsurge Domine, and now facing the more consequential ban of empire, Martin Luther (1483-1546) was given one last opportunity to recant his alleged errors before the princely leaders of the Holy Roman Empire. After confirming a list of works attributed to him, Luther was commanded to respond yes or no to the question: “Will you then recant?” He instead asked for time to pray and think. On the next day Luther gave his famous “Here I stand” speech,in which he insisted that to recant would only add strength to papal tyranny. He is reported to have concluded his speech with these famous words:
Unless I am convinced by the testimony of Scripture or by clear reason, for I do not trust either in the pope or in councils alone, since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves, I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not retract anything, for it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience.1
