Introduction

My exhibit focuses on “Piae ac doctae in pslamos operationes” a rare and banned book by Martin Luther published in 1521. It is also known as his Second Lectures in Psalms. The book was banned by the Roman Catholic Church mainly because it was written by Martin Luther and because originally Psalms were used for worship, whereas Luther believed Psalms should first be applied first in your own life and then to other situations.

Martin Luther had been casted an outlaw an been called a “heretic” by the church. His infamous ‘Ninty-five theses’ and his multiple works including “The Bull of the Antichrist” where he called the pope the antichrist led him to being excommunicated. “Luther then spoke of the corruption and immorality in Rome. “There is buying, selling, bartering, trading, trafficking, lying, deceiving, robbing, stealing, luxury, harlotry, knavery and every sort of contempt of God, and even the rule of Antichrist could not be more scandalous.” This alone, Luther said, was enough “to prove the pope the true Antichrist”.” (Pettibone, 2007)

Therefore, all works by Luther were banned and hence, so was his book the Second Lecture in Psalms.

This exhibit will highlight some of the key-features of the book itself and relating to the monk’s other prominent works and the role of a printing press that facilitated the spread of his works similarly to a social-media platform in contemporary society.