Reformation vocabulary World History 11/13

Indulgences Dates: 16th century Description: a partial remission of the temporal punishment, especially purgatorial atonement, that is still due for a sin or sins after absolution. Tolerance Significance:  In the sixteenth century indulgences had already taken on the characteristic of a purely money making act. Indulgences had moved from its intended purpose which was a means for forgiveness and pardon of sins to a way of creating revenue. On the surface this did not seem that bad due to the fact that indulgence money had been used to finance legitimate Christian programs. Indulgences evolved into a tool which some in the church would use for personal gains that did not necessarily have anything to do with the church or community. Indulgences became a tool of salvation which seemed to create an atmosphere of fear that the church played on for its own profit. Martin Luther saw some major concerns with the very church in which he was a part of. Martin Luther’s ability to stand up and question the merit of indulgences and the way they were being used created a revolution that created a somewhat new church.

Annul Dates: Description: a legal procedure for declaring a marriage null and void. Unlike divorce, it is usually retroactive, meaning that an annulled marriage is considered to be invalid from the beginning almost as if it had never taken place. Significance:

Predestination Dates: Description: The idea that God has already pre determined who will go to heaven. This is usually associated with John Calvin. Significance:

Martin Luther Dates: Description: a German friar, priest, professor of theology, and a seminal figure in the Protestant Reformation. Initially an Augustinian friar, Luther came to reject several teachings and practices of the Roman Catholic Church. Significance:

Diet Dates: Description: The general assembly of the Imperial Estates of the Holy Roman Empire. Significance:

Theocracy Dates: Description: A form of government which defers not to civil development of law, but to an interpretation of the will of a God as set out in religious scripture and authorities. Significance: