I dont think Luther was against the institution of the papacy.
It was only when the Catholic inquisitor Johann Eck succeeded in
winning him in a debate did his disgust at the POPE showed. But
before that i doubt so.
Wikipedia:
Despite the fact that Eck was
thus virtually forced to abandon his position, he succeeded,
through his good memory and his dialectic skill, in confusing the
heavy-witted Karlstadt and carried off the nominal victory. He was
far less successful against Luther, who, as Eck himself confessed,
was his superior in memory, acumen, and learning. After a
disputation on the absolute supremacy of the papacy, purgatory,
penance, etc., lasting twenty-three days (4 July27 July), the
arbitrators declined to give a verdict, but the general impression
was that victory rested with Eck. He did succeed in making
Luther admit that there was some truth in the Hussite opinions and
declare himself against the pope, but this success only
embittered his animosity against his opponents, and from that time
his whole efforts were devoted to Luther's overthrow. Eck was
greeted as victor by the theologians of the University of Leipzig,
who overwhelmed him with honors and sent him away with
gifts.
"Accordingly, we concede to the papacy that they sit in the
true Church, possessing the office instituted by Christ and
inherited from the apostles, to teach, baptize, administer
the sacrament, absolve, ordain, etc., just as the Jews sat in their
synagogues or assemblies and were the regularly established
priesthood and authority of the Church. We admit all this and do
not attack the office, although they are not willing to admit as
much for us; yea, we confess that we have received these things
from them, even as Christ by birth descended from the Jews and the
apostles obtained the Scriptures from them."
Sermon for the Sunday after Christs Ascension; John 15:26-16:4
(2nd sermon), page 265, paragraph 28, 1522
But the quotes i posted seemed to describe the modern day effect of
sola scriptura so i was wondering was Luther version of sola
scriptura vastly different from today's version??? Surely he will
not criticise his own doctrines unless it was a mutated version of
his own. Alas this is all speculations...maybe a lutheran can help
me.
I personally feel Sola Scriptura was a formula to reform the
Catholic Church. To remove doctrines that are still fallible like
the canon and justification. I do not feel it was a means to form a
counter-church or denominations. None of the reformers had any
intention of forming another church. Which brings me back,
was Luther idea of Sola Scriptura vastly different from
modern day version.
