Service commemorates Thomas Müntzer: The Painful Peasants' War

Service commemorates Thomas Müntzer: The Painful Peasants' War

On May 25, 2025, a special Protestant service will take place in the Divi Blasii Church in Mühlhausen to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Peasants' War. The service begins at 9:30 a.m. and is led by regional bishop Tobias Schüfer and superintendent Christian Beuchel. The focus is on the figure of Thomas Müntzer, who vehemently advocated the violent liberation of the farmers and thus deviated greatly from Martin Luther, who condemned the violent conflict. What is particularly tragic is that Müntzer was executed in Mühlhausen on May 27, 1525 after his peasant army had been defeated in Frankenhausen. Rundfunk Evangelisch also reports that the service addresses the ambivalence of Müntzer's figure, between high ideals and fundamentalist radicalism.

The background to the Peasants' War is characterized by deep dissatisfaction among the farmers who suffered under oppressive conditions in the 16th century. Many lived in serfdom, had to pay high taxes to the landlords and had hardly any rights of their own. Community decisions were often under the control of their masters. Luther's words, published in 1520 in his work “On the Freyheith of a Christian,” were misinterpreted by many farmers as a call for liberation from serfdom. Instead, Luther demanded obedience to existing authorities, while Müntzer sought radical changes. History Wissen explains that Müntzer was originally Luther's follower and later took his own radical path.

The course of the Peasants' War

In 1525, the Peasants' War broke out in several parts of Germany. The rebellious peasants not only demanded an end to serfdom, but also the implementation of reformative innovations and the improvement of their living conditions. Their demands were summarized in the so-called “Twelve Articles,” which, among other things, stipulated the abolition of serfdom and the free choice of their pastors. But the princes' reaction was relentless: the uprising was crushed with brutal force, and it is estimated that up to 70,000 peasants lost their lives in these fighting. Despite his desire for change, Müntzer's rebellion failed and he was captured. He was executed three days after his arrest.

Martin Luther's stance was clear: he sided with the princes and propagated that the authorities must be obeyed, even if they were unjust. This shows the deep division within the reform movement, where Luther's moderate views and Müntzer's radical positions clashed, ultimately leading to one's ideals prevailing over the other's. Planet Wissen provides additional insights into the social conditions under which this conflict arose.

The musical arrangement of the service is provided by the Mühlhausen Bach Choir under the direction of district cantor Oliver Stechbart and Johannes Kirchberg on the organ and underlines the cultural significance and legacy of this turbulent time. The service on May 25th will not only provide a look back at a central era in German history, but will also reflect the ongoing questions of freedom and justice.