Thesis: Luther argues that the peasants who have rebelled against the manorial lords are heathen rebels for not following the Christian ideal of submitting to the authorities, and that the princes have the right to destroy this rebellion ruthlessly.
1. Luther's case against the rebels
a. They are robbing and plundering monasteries
b. Outlaws before God; not following Scripture (Luke 20:25 Give to Caesar what is Caesar's
c. Rebellion devastates the land like a fire
d. The apostles did not demand that everyone have equal goods or wealth, unlike the rebellious peasants
e. Jesus never approved such violence
2. His conviction against them
a. They are highwaymen and murderers, not revolutionaries
b. Anyone who is seditious in this manner is an outlaw before God and the state
c. They have deserved death in body and soul
3. Approves repressing the rebellion
a. Even heathen rulers would have a right to put down this uprsing (Romans 13:4 the servant of God to execute his wrath on the wrondoer.
b. It is his duty to punish such blasphemers and scoundrels
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