St. John Fisher vs Martin Luther: Fisher's Defense of the Priesthood (Part 4/4) ~ Michael Davies

About this sermon

In the dramatic conclusion to Michael Davies' four-part series on St. John Fisher vs. Martin Luther, the focus turns to the doctrines that Fisher considered most essential to the Catholic Faith: the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the ministerial priesthood, the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, and the authority of the Church founded by Christ. Fisher believed that Luther's rejection of the sacrificial nature of the Mass and the Catholic priesthood struck at the very heart of Christianity. Through Scripture, Apostolic Tradition, and the unanimous witness of the Church Fathers, he mounted one of the most powerful defenses ever written of Catholic doctrine. This lecture also recounts Fisher's final witness against Henry VIII, his refusal to accept royal supremacy over the Church, his imprisonment in the Tower of London, and his martyrdom for the Catholic Faith. In this lecture: • Luther's attack on the Mass and priesthood • The Catholic doctrine of the Sacrifice of the Mass • The ministerial priesthood vs. the priesthood of believers • Apostolic succession and Holy Orders • The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist • Fisher's defense of Sacred Tradition • The Church Fathers on the priesthood • Luther's doctrine of authority examined • The divisions within early Protestantism • Fisher's theological masterpiece on the Eucharist • The influence of St. John Fisher on the Council of Trent • Henry VIII's Act of Supremacy • Fisher's imprisonment and martyrdom • St. Thomas More and the defense of Rome • The universal significance of Fisher's witness • Canonization and lasting legacy Michael Davies concludes by showing why St. John Fisher remains one of the greatest bishops, theologians, martyrs, and defenders of Catholic truth in the history of the Church. His final testimony was written not merely with ink, but with his blood. 00:00 Introduction: Fisher's final battle against Luther 00:15 Luther attacks the Catholic priesthood 01:12 The priesthood of all believers examined 01:51 Luther's new understanding of the sacraments 02:41 Why Luther rejected the Sacrifice of the Mass 02:50 Fisher's defense of Catholic teaching 03:05 The sacred priesthood against Luther 04:28 Fisher's outrage at attacks on the Mass 05:17 Fisher's character and defense of the Faith 05:41 Why Fisher refused Luther's polemical style 06:05 Luther's language and controversies 08:20 Questions surrounding Luther's truthfulness 09:47 Luther's most controversial statements 10:21 Fisher's appeal to Scripture and Tradition 11:12 Divine institution of the priesthood 12:18 The office of priest, pastor, and bishop 13:05 Fisher's Ten Axioms on Holy Orders 15:11 Priesthood of believers vs ministerial priesthood 16:24 Priests as mediators and sacrificers 17:48 Luther's challenge to Catholic priesthood 19:20 Fisher's response to Luther's accusations 20:29 The witness of the Church Fathers 21:41 Authority, obedience, and Church governance 23:39 The Papacy and ecclesiastical authority 25:26 Luther's claim to personal authority 25:59 Fisher's masterpiece on the Real Presence 26:48 Eucharistic controversies in the Reformation 27:40 Defending the Fathers against misrepresentation 28:19 The Catholic doctrine of the Eucharist 28:58 Protestant divisions begin to emerge 29:45 Luther as the "Pope of Wittenberg" 30:22 The Tower of Babel and Protestant fragmentation 32:22 Fisher's influence on the Council of Trent 33:20 Fisher's reputation across Europe 34:04 Catholic scholars who relied upon Fisher 35:00 Thomas More's tribute to Fisher 36:21 Fisher's influence on Trent's decrees 37:29 Fisher's prophetic prayer for holy bishops 38:16 The Act of Supremacy & royal control of the Church 39:38 Why Henry VIII targeted Fisher 40:32 Fisher's illness & approaching death 41:21 Cardinal Pole's tribute to Fisher 42:15 Preparing for a holy death 42:48 Fisher's martyrdom for the Faith 43:54 Cardinal Pole on Fisher and More 44:29 The consequences of Henry's actions 45:02 Canonization & sainthood 45:48 Fisher's lasting legacy 46:02 The bishops who abandoned Rome 46:34 Fisher's final stand in the Tower 48:10 Closing prayer and conclusion For more please visit https://www.keepthefaith.org/ St. John Fisher's book on the Defense of the Priesthood against Luther is found here https://mediatrixpress.com/?p=1738 Books on St John Fisher found here https://mediatrixpress.com/?s=john+fisher To help translate St John Fisher's apologetic against Luther please visit https://mediatrixpress.com/?page_id=3467 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 Support Catholic Businesses here - https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ Sensus Fidelium Press - https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ Sensus Fidelium Apps - https://sensusfidelium.tv/ Support Sensus Fidelium - https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 #StJohnFisher #MartinLuther #CatholicMass #Eucharist #Priesthood #CatholicHistory #ChurchHistory #MichaelDavies