The prophecy as a handling agent of sinful conscience. The case of Johannes Lichtenberger. Germany 15TH Century

Abstract

This article focuses its attention on the European sinful collective conscience into the field of astrological prophecies in Germany in the fifteenth century. The analysis will be based on the Iustitia Dei, one of the Biblical teachings that determined the pious behavior of the men of those days. The bi-functional interpretation of the God´s law was manifested through charity's and love's works, which constituted the spiritual root that allowed imperial power to coerce the citizen through prophetic propaganda. The Prognosticatio of Johannes Lichtenberger is one of the sources that better show the highly detailed, through which astrologer sought for conjugate the imperial objectives with a collective fearful of God, by using themes and intellectual strategies which convert him into the master and owner of his predictions.