Evan Gaertner and Mike Yagley continue a discussion about Frederick the Wise’s ability to protect Martin Luther from the combined pressure of the pope and the emperor. This episode largely focuses on the events of 1518.

After Luther posted his 95 Theses, the Church wasted no time in seeking to silence him. Pope Leo X demanded that Luther be sent to Rome, where execution likely awaited him. But Frederick saw the danger, not only to Luther, but to the fragile balance of power in the Holy Roman Empire. What followed was a masterclass in political restraint and strategic genius.

We walk through the events of the 1518 Reichstag in Augsburg, where Frederick successfully blocked a sham “crusade” that would have aligned the emperor with the pope. He also managed to preserve his electoral influence by denying Emperor Maximilian’s request to pre-crown his grandson Charles, all while keeping Luther safe at home. You’ll hear how about the interrogation of Luther by Cardinal Cajetan unfolded. We will also discuss how a drunken brag changed the course of diplomacy.

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Frederick the Wise: Reluctant Protector of the Reformation

In this episode, Mike Yagley and Evan Gaertner explores how Frederick the Wise’s relationship with Martin Luther evolved between 1516 and 1518. Though initially angered by Luther’s sermons against indulgences and relics, Frederick gradually reconsidered his stance—thanks in part to his advisor George Spalatin and Luther’s mentor Johannes Staupitz. As Luther’s public profile rose through preaching, teaching, and writing, Frederick began to take serious interest, despite the personal and political costs.

We highlight how Frederick quietly supported Luther even before the 95 Theses, consulting him through Spalatin and heeding his warnings about church corruption. After the Theses were posted, Frederick never tried to silence Luther—even though indulgences funded his prized relic collection. Instead, he shielded Luther from threats, balancing loyalty to the Church with growing sympathy for reform.

As pressure from Rome and the emperor increased, Frederick used legal and political savvy to protect Luther without defying the Church outright. He delayed action, sought local hearings, and leveraged widespread frustration with papal overreach. This episode shows Frederick not as a radical, but as a cautious and principled leader whose steady hand helped make the Reformation possible.

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Mike Yagley and Evan Gaertner continue the story of Frederick the Wise, the Elector of Saxon. From his birth in 1463 to his rise as a strategic ruler and devout leader, Frederick navigated political rivalries, financial struggles, and religious reform. Learn how he transformed Wittenberg into a center of learning and faith, laying the groundwork for a university, a grand residence, and a powerful religious presence. As tensions rise and Martin Luther enters the scene, Frederick’s influence will be tested like never before. Tune in to explore the life of the man who would become one of the Reformation’s most pivotal figures.

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Evan Gaertner presented to the Lutheran Luncheon Club in Detroit on January 8, 2025. Mike was unavailable, which is probably why Evan messed up the name of the town that Martin Luther was born in and died in.

There was no beer break in this recording before a live audience.

Evan Gaertner and Mike Yagley begin a new unit on Grace on Tap. This podcast will take some episodes to explore the people who were not theologians during the Reformation but still significantly contributed to it. This episode introduces Frederick the Wise. In 2015, Sam Wellmen wrote the ultimate English biography of this noble, Frederick the Wise: Seen and Unseen Lives of Martin Luther’s Protector.

Frederick III (January 17, 1463 – May 5, 1525). He became the Elector of Saxony after his father died in 1486. Frederick protected Martin Luther from retaliation from the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V.

Albrecht Dürer painted a portrait of the younger Frederick the Wise, which is a contrast from the later images of him being an older and overweight noble.

We are thankful for Dave who provided our beer from Cadillac Straits Brewing Company. We are fans of their Oktoberfest Märzen.

Mike Yagley and Evan Gaertner continue a look at how Martin Luther guided spiritual care and concern for people through letters. This episode reviews a letter written by Luther in November 1527 to John Hess. The letter is about whether Christians are obligated to stay during a time of plague.

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In 1527, the plague arrived in Wittenberg and Breslau. Dr. Martin Luther wrote letters to give guidance to leaders during this time of pestilence. We previously discussed Luther’s letter to John Hess in Episode 55. This episode is more specifically looking at the character, context, and counsel of these letters. We start by looking at an August letter to George Spalatin. Please note that the sound quality is not as good as we would have liked, but we enjoyed the conversation with each other. We hope you enjoy this episode.

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Evan Gaertner and Mike Yagley discuss Dr. Martin Luther’s letters that he wrote to provide consolation to those bereft by grief.

Through these letters, we find how Luther applied the Law and the Gospel to the caretaking of souls when the grief of sadness had become overwhelming.

The letters referenced in this podcast will be found in Luther: Letters of Spiritual Counsel, edited and translated by Theodore G. Tappert, D.D., Litt.D. which can be found in the Library of Christian Classics Volume XVIII.

Keweenaw Brewing Co – Widow Maker Black Ale. Thank you for the listeners who donated this beer for us to review.

Evan Gaertner and Mike Yagley review some letters of Martin Luther written to the sick and dying. Through these letters of pastoral care, we can witness what the caretaking of souls looked like in the 16th century. The sadnesses and griefs are not too far away from our own time. Thank you for a listener suggestion to consider this topic.

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Mike Yagley and Evan Gaertner finish their discussion of the Gospel of the Third Sunday in Advent, Matthew 11:2-10.

This discussion is grounded in Dr. Martin Luther’s commentary on this text to equip preachers during the Reformation. This episode picks up on v. 7.

Luther’s Works, Volume 75

What do you look for in Jesus and how is this compared to what you need from Jesus?

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