LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Johann Tetzel
built 646 days ago
Johann Tetzel (1465-1519) was a Dominican priest who is perhaps best known for selling indulgences during the 16th century. In 1517, Tetzel was trying to raise money for the ongoing construction of St. Peter's Basilica and it is believed that Martin Luther was inspired to write his 95 Theses, in part, due to Tetzel's actions during this period. Born 1465, died 1519. Old text from Schaff-Herzog Encyc of Religion, 1911:
Source:
The Protestant faith originated in a time of scandal, when Johann Tetzel, a Dominican monk, appeared in Germany and went from place to place selling certificates of indulgence. It was in the fall of 1517 that the scandal began. Tetzel promised his listeners that they could obtain remission for their sins and for the sins of loved ones who had died and gone to purgatory. Consequently, pious people collected their savings and rushed to Tetzel to purchase his documents, for that seemed to be the requirement of Christian charity — that loved ones might be released from the torments of purgatory and admitted to heaven itself. In fact, Tetzel led people to believe that they could obtain forgiveness merely by dropping their coins in his box and taking the certificates he offered. In order to popularize the sale, Tetzel recited a jingle: So bald der Pfennig im Kasten klingt, die Selle aus dem Fegfeuer springt!
Source:
Johann Tetzel begins selling indulgences on the borders of Saxony. Among his customers are some of Luther's parishioners. Luther notices fewer people are coming to confession. He finds out about Tetzel's activities and begins preaching against indulgences. He ... writes Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences. [Friedrich Myconius' account of indulgences]
Source:
In 1516-17, Johann Tetzel, a Dominican friar and papal commissioner for indulgences, was sent to Germany by the Roman Catholic Church to sell indulgences to raise money to rebuild St Peter's Basilica in Rome. In Roman Catholic theology, an "indulgence" is the remission of punishment because a sin already committed has been forgiven; the indulgence is granted by the church when the sinner confesses and receives absolution. When an indulgence is given, the church is extending merit to a sinner from its Treasure House of Merit, an accumulation of merits it has collected based on the good deeds of the saints. These merits could be bought and sold.
Source:
Johannes Tetzel als Dominikanermönch 1465 Johann Tetzel wird in Pirna geboren 1488 Er wird Dominikanermönch 1504 -1510 Tetzel wird als Ablaßprediger seines Ordens in verschiedenen deutschen Ländern (vor allem in Thüringen) eingesetzt. 1509 Teztel wird Inquisitor für Polen 1517 Tetzel wird Generalsubkommissar des Mainzer Erzbischofs Albrecht II. für die Ablaßpredigt in der Kirchen-Provinz Magdeburg. Der Ablaß hatte sich in einem jahrhundertelangen Prozeß im Zusammenhang mit dem Bußsakrament herausgebildet. Der Sünder mußte bereuen, dies durch die Beichte vor dem Priester kundtun, um von diesem die Absolution und eine auferlegte Buße, d.h. Sündenstrafe zu erhalten.
Source:
Johannes Tetzel selbst war nie in Wittenberg gewesen, brachte aber den Stein der Reformation aufgrund seines marktähnlichen Ablaßhandels ins Rollen. Bei diesem Ablaßprediger, so hieß es, könne man Ablaß für Sünden schon Verstorbener oder gar Ablaß für eigene Sünden, die in der Zukunft noch geschehen würden, erlangen.
Source:
MORE ABOUT
Johann Tetzel