Renaissance and Reformation The Protestant Reformation

Prelude to Reformation Christian Humanism – Reform the Catholic Church – Humans had the ability to reason and improve themselves – Desiderius Erasmus Christianity should show people how to live good lives on a daily basis

Prelude to Reformation Need for Reform – Popes were supposed to be spiritual leaders but they were more concerned with politics – Church officials used their offices to advance their careers and wealth – Many priests were unable to help or offer advice on spiritual matters – Indulgence The Church began selling these as a way to save oneself from punishment of sin

Don't you hear the voices of your dead parents and other relatives crying out, "Have mercy on us, for we suffer great punishment and pain. From this, you could release us with a few alms... We have created you, fed you, cared for you and left you our temporal goods. Why do you treat us so cruelly and leave us to suffer in the flames, when it takes only a little to save us? [ Die Reformation in Augenzeugen Berichten, edited by Helmar Junghaus (Dusseldorf: Karl Rauch Verlag, 1967), 44.]

Martin Luther Studied the Bible at the University of Wittenberg – Justification by Faith Believed that a person could be saved through their faith in God not by good works and faith – The Bible became the only source of religious truth

Martin Luther The Ninety-five Theses – Greatly upset by the selling of indulgences – Sent a list of Ninety-five Theses to church superiors Listed all the things he found wrong with the Catholic Church Pope Leo X said Luther was a drunken German who would sober up soon

Martin Luther A Break with the Church – Called on the German princes to establish a reformed German Church – Kept two sacraments of the Catholic Church Baptism and Communion – Emphasized that faith alone could save people – Edict of Worms Martin Luther was made an outlaw His works were to be burned and he was to be turned in to the emperor Luther went into hiding

Martin Luther The Rise of Lutheranism – Services consisted of Bible readings, preaching of the word of God and song – Lutheranism was the first protestant faith

Politics in the German Reformation Peace of Augsburg – Formally accepted the division of Christianity in Germany – German states were now free to choose between Catholicism and Christianity