by Doug Krieger GRACE FOR SALE THROUGH INDULGENCES

“It happened in 1517 that a Dominican monk named Johann Tetzel, a braggart, caused a great stir. Maximilian once sentenced him to drowning in River Inn - presumably because of his great virtue - but Duke Frederick rescued him in Innsbruck from punishment of being drowned. Duke Frederick reminded him of this incident when he began to denounce us Wittenbergers. Actually, he admitted it quite openly. This same Tetzel now began to peddle indulgences. With might and main he sold grace for money as dearly or a cheaply as he could. At time I was preacher here in cloister and was filled as a new doctor with an ardent love for scriptures.

“He had grace and power from Pope to offer forgiveness even if someone had slept with Holy Virgin Mother of God, as long as a contribution would be put into coffer. “Furthermore, red Cross of indulgences and papal coat of arms on flag of churches was as powerful as Cross of Christ. “Moreover, even if St. Peter were here now he would have no greater grace or power than he had.

“Furthermore, he would not want to trade places in heaven with St. Peter, for he had redeemed more souls with his indulgences than Peter with his sermons.

“Furthermore, if anyone put money into coffer for a soul in purgatory, soul would leave purgatory for heaven in moment one could hear penny hit bottom.

“Also grace of indulgences is grace by which man is reconciled with God.

“Furthermore, it is not necessary to show remorse or sorrow or do penance for sins when purchasing indulgences or a letter of indulgence. He even sold indulgences for future sins. Such abominable things he did abundantly. He was merely interested in money. At time I did not yet know who was to get money. Then there appeared a booklet with illustrious coat of arms of Bishop of Magdeburg. In it commissioners of indulgences were ordered to preach some of propositions. Thus it came to light that Bishop Albert had employed Tetzel, because he was such a braggart.” Source: Martin Luther, Wider Hans Worst, 1541. (WA 51, 538.)

“At time a Dominican monk named Johann Tetzel was great mouthpiece, commissioner, and preacher of indulgences in Germany. His preaching raised enormous amounts of money which were sent to Rome. This was particularly case in new mining town St. Annaberg, where I, Friedrich Myconius, listened to him for over two years. The claims of this uneducated and shameful monk were unbelievable. Thus he said that even if someone had slept with Christ's dear Mother, Pope had power in heaven and on earth to forgive as long as money was put into indulgences coffer. And if Pope would forgive, God also had to forgive. He furthermore said if they would put money quickly into coffer to obtain grace and indulgence, all mountains near St. Annaberg would turn into pure silver. He claimed that in very moment coin rang in coffer, soul rose up to heaven. Such a marvelous thing was his indulgence. In sum and substance: God was no longer God, as he had bestowed all divine power to Pope: 'Tu es Petrus, tibi dabo claves, quodcunque.' And then there were masters of Inquisition, who banished and burned those saying conflicting words.” Source: Friedrich Myconius, Historia reformationis, p. 14.

PREYING ON THE FEAR OF THE FAITHFUL

THE UNITED STATES OF EUROPE IS A JOKE!

By Doug Krieger

French Reject EU Constitution—We Await Chirac’s Resignation! The anticipated rejection by French of much vaunted United States of Europe, and its Constitution (the vote in France was 45% for and 55% against), conclusively demonstrates, once again, European political and economic ineptitude compared to that of United States of America—the Dutch are soon to follow French (Notwithstanding, toilet (a French word) was invented by a Brit by name of Thomas Crapper not by a Frenchman.) Imagine, extremity of European cultural diversity, language, religion, and history have all come full circle to highlight centuries of particularism, political fratricide, and religious intolerance—none of which could convince European mindset that “unity with variety” would lead to a multipolar world in which Europe would function as political/economic counterweight to unipolar world of United States of America. The French originally spearheaded European Union’s quest for economic and political integration . . . with British providing noble resistance and forever frustrating “efforts” indirectly on behalf of USA (Note: The USA from time to time gave tepid support, but all along it was only because it might be to her economic and political advantage.) The entire notion that French would abandon their social safety net by opening up their labor markets to plumbers from Poland was ludicrous “The treaty's rejection in a bitterly contested referendum in France - architect of European project - could set Continent's plans back by years and amounts to a personal humiliation for veteran French leader (President Jacques Chirac). Treaty opponents chanting ‘We won!’ gathered at Place de la Bastille, a symbol of rebellion where angry crowds in 1789 stormed prison and sparked French Revolution. Cars blared their horns and ‘No’ campaigners thrust their arms into air. ‘This is a great victory,’" said Fabrice Savel, 38, from working-class suburb of Aubervilliers. He was distributing posters that read: ‘No to a free-market Europe.’” Viva la USA As a result of all this Euro-nonsense and eco-politico-posturing (man, what a waste of time and money), much-touted EURO—that economic counterweight, that renaissance of European leadership—collapsed to its lowest 2005 level against almighty dollar ($1.25 EU).

No matter what kind of united face-saving device you put on this (Note inane remarks of Gerhard Schroeder of Germany): The European Union (as a counterweight to USA) is dead! And . . . something else smells liked it’s dead . . . and that’s what we here at Tribnet wish to point out to those who know that New American World Order System is not about to be challenged by our European forebears and erstwhile upstarts who know NOTHING about how to become a unified economic, military, and political power under girded by moral authority based upon so-called Judeo-Christian ethic. What might that eschatological conclusion be? You guessed it: It is a total farce to conceive, since turn of 20th Century, that USA ascendancy could ever be challenged by effete Europeans and, consequently, BASE of Antichrist is not found in squalid political and economically deficient European quagmire but in New Rome: The United States of America. Furthermore, Europeans, especially isolated French, are so intimidated (and rightly so) by FREE MARKETS (viz., overt intrusion by multi-nationals—led by US corporate interests—epitomized by WTO, IMF and World Bank)—that their idiotic celebration of EU Constitution’s defeat only belies vacuous pride they have in their insipid ignorance of world formed by Merchants of Earth who delight to feed at trough of Babylon Great. Don’t think my seemingly prideful remarks are aimed at French—no; they’re aimed at evangelicals of USA who haven’t a clue as to what’s been happening (politically, economically, and even religiously) since Manifest Destiny under Teddy Roosevelt kicked Spanish out of New World. First of all, and for those of you out there who ponder following “food fight” amongst us Premillenarians as naught but asinine theological posturing (perhaps interesting but absurdly irrelevant in sum total of whatever counts), let me assure you—there’s a whole lot of present-day implications on what’s going down around us and how we live in our world as a result of these “ridiculous” observations. Here’s where we start . . . a few quotes and comments (yours truly) from well-meaning, but totally off mark brethren who wish to remain patriotic Americans will suffice: “The mention of a core Europe or a core group of European nations resonates with Bible prophecy in books of Daniel and Revelation. It concerns a latter-day revival of Roman Empire. The prophet Daniel predicts that a group of 10 ‘kings’ (national leaders) will give rise to a frightening union that will fulfill many end-time prophecies. Depending on decision of French, and later Dutch voters, coming weeks may give some hint to answer to Economist’s intriguing question: ‘And What Happens to Beast Now?’”