The Protestant Reformation Martin Luther Martin Luther

Underlying Causes of the Protestant Reformation 1. Corruption in the Roman Catholic Church 2. Impact of Renaissance Values – “thinking” a dangerous activity, as people begin to question when they think 3. Declining Prestige of the Papacy –Babylonian Captivity, Great Schism, 1300s 4. Influence of religious reformers (pre-Protestants) 5. Resentment of secular rulers over power of clergy 6. Invention of printing press – allowed more people to read – allowed ideas to circulate more freely

Immediate Cause of Protestant Reformation Martin Luther’s posting of 95 theses to protest sale of Indulgences by the church and, in particular, by Tetzel

Johannes Tetzel: Ultimate salesman of Indulgences

St. Peter’s Cathedral, Rome Pope Leo X needed enormous sums of money to complete the construction of St. Peters

Indulgence – what was it? Reduced time spent in Purgatory, the place one goes after life before Heaven or Hell; not a nice place to be. Did not affect God’s right to judge Tetzel gave impression that buying indulgence could get you to Heaven You could buy one for your dead relatives, too and save them from continued suffering in Purgatory or Hell!

As soon as the coin in the coffer rings / Up toward Heaven the soul springs

Martin Luther

Was supposed to become a lawyer (that’s what the family wanted) After his prayers for help to the patron saint of distressed travelers were answered, he entered an monastic order. Although a devout Christian, he began to object to the corruption he believed existed in the church. Among other things, he objected in particular to the sale of indulgences by the church as a way to gain entrance to heaven or to secure salvation even for relatives who had previously died.

The 95 Theses Oct. 31, 1517 Luther nailed the 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Cathedral – they were a list of his objections and his call for reform in the church. Copies made (thanks to the printing press) and distributed so it could be read

Luther’s 3 Main Ideas 1. Salvation by faith alone 2. Importance of scripture 3. Priesthood of all believers

1. Salvation by faith alone Not “good works” Not by purchasing indulgences Only from God (God’s forgiveness)

2. Importance of Scripture Church teachings should be based on the Bible, not tradition or popeChurch teachings should be based on the Bible, not tradition or pope

3. Priesthood of all believers All people with faith are equal No need for priests to interpret Bible for individuals

Protestant Reformation It began as a PROTEST against corruption in the church Luther wanted to REFORM the church It was NOT an attempt to form a new religion

Pope Leo X sends Luther a Papal Bull which basically orders him to recant and to cease and desist 1520 What do you think Luther was threatened with if he did not “recant” and “cease and desist” with publicizing his heretical ideas?

Luther says bull to the bull

Pope Leo X Excommunicates Luther

A Diet of Worms, 1521

Charles V Hapsburg German lands, but not very united Catholic Has a city called Worms Holy Roman Empire

It’s neither Holy, nor Roman, nor an Empire

What sayeth thee to theseth charges? “I cannot and I will not retract anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience… … I cannot do otherwise, here I stand, may God help me. Amen.

Edict of Worms: Luther is an outlaw and a heretic. No one in the Holy Roman Empire may give him food or shelter or video games!! Holy Roman Emperor Charles V

Frederick the Wise of Saxony Shelters Luther King of Saxony, one of the 300+ kingdoms that made up the German Confederation

Why did Luther’s Ideas Spread so Quickly in Germany? There was no “Germany” It was a confederation of 300+ states, kingdom, etc. Though part of Holy Roman Empire of Emperor Charles V, there was very little central control. The King could not enforce religion like in France or Spain. Many of the individual monarchs could choose their religion. A King, Prince, etc. who decided to follow Luther’s ideas would break with the Catholic church – no longer had to follow “orders” from the Pope, Bishops, etc

Popular with the peasants – they could gain salvation and go to heaven just by being faithful and good. They did not need to buy indulgences to undue their past sins. Why did Luther’s ideas spread so quickly? “Lutheranism” taught that people could interpret the Bible on their own. They were not wrong just because a priest said they were. And then….there was the printing press. Because of the advances in printing, Luther’s ideas could be circulated through Europe faster than ever before to a populace rapidly becoming more literate.

A series of wars erupts in Europe. They are fought over religion Why do you think these wars began? And, who were the wars between?

The Wars are ended by the Peace Of Augsburg

The Peasants’ Revolt,

Luther’s Response to the Peasants Against the Filthy, Thieving, Murderous Hordes… Respect secular authority

Results of Protestant Reformation: 1. Northern Europe becomes Protestant1. Northern Europe becomes Protestant 2. Unity of Western Christianity is shattered2. Unity of Western Christianity is shattered 3. Religious Wars in Europe last over 100 yrs.3. Religious Wars in Europe last over 100 yrs. 4. Protestant spirit of individualism encouraged democracy, science and capitalism4. Protestant spirit of individualism encouraged democracy, science and capitalism 5. Growth of the nation-state encouraged by separation of church and state; church subordinate to state in all but theological matters.5. Growth of the nation-state encouraged by separation of church and state; church subordinate to state in all but theological matters.