Johann Tetzel offered indulgences to any Christian who contributed money for the rebuilding of the Cathedral of St. Peter in Rome Assured entrance to heaven

Could peasants not get into heaven? Martin Luther construct 95 Theses (arguments) against indulgences Posted on the door of Wittenberg’s All Saints Church

Indulgences had no basis in the Bible Pope had no authority to release souls from purgatory Christians could be saved only through faith

95 Theses spread Call on Luther to recant his views Declines Urges folks to reject the authority of Rome

Pope Leo X excommunicates Luther Charles V (Roman emperor), declares Luther an outlaw However, Luther was regarded as a hero to thousands

Page 426 Ordinary people to read the Bible Equal access to God Banned indulgences, confession, pilgrimages, and prayers to saints Clergy to marry Emphasized the sermon

Ideas spread quickly Adopted “Protestant” for those who protested papal authority Sweeping change through Germany

1555 Allowed each prince to decide which religion – Catholic or Lutheran – would be followed

Explained how to organize and run a Protestant church Preached predestination – idea that God had long ago determined who would gain salvation

The world had two people – Saint and Sinners Calvinists tried to live like saints