The Protestant Reformation

Corruption in the Medieval Catholic Church What forms of corruption existed within the Church during the Late Middle Ages? Popes used excommunication to force monarchs to obey the Church Many priests were illiterate Many clergy broke their vows of chastity Some officials lead lives of luxury and leisure Some clergy: Charged repentant Christians to see holy remains and objects Sold church offices to the highest bidder (simony) Sold indulgences

Early Calls for Reform John Wycliffe of England Thought Christians didn’t need Church or sacraments to achieve salvation Regarded Bible as most important source of religious authority Completed first translation of Bible into English Outcome: the Church persecuted his followers, the Lollards, as heretics

Jan Huss Criticized wealth of Church Wanted religious services conducted in the language of the worshippers Opposed the sale of indulgences Outcome: Was burned at stake for refusing to accept importance of church rituals

Catherine of Siena Popularized Mysticism Believed people could experience God through intense prayer Outcome: Maintained that Christians didn’t need priests, rituals, or sacraments

Girolamo Savonarola Launched crusade against immoral society Encouraged book burning Claimed Vatican was filled with sin and corruption Outcome: Was burned at the stake by angry citizens of Florence

The Protestant Reformation By 1500s, educated Christians calling for a complete change in the Church’s ways and practice of Christianity In Germany, the movement for Church reform resulted in a split of the Church

Martin Luther Son of middle-class townspeople, became a monk at age 22 Worried that God may not find him acceptable Read in Romans: “He who through faith is righteous shall live Luther’s justification of faith

Luther’s Protest Luther’s ideas brought him in conflict with the Church Pope Leo X selling church positions and indulgences to rebuild St. Peter’s Basilica Certificates sold by the Church to reduce or cancel punishment of sins Indulgences were said to be a sure ticket to heaven

Luther’s Protest John Tetzel German Church agent for selling indulgences Promised indulgences would relieve for FUTURE sins Encouraged people to buy indulgences for dead relatives “Once you hear the money’s ring, the soul from purgatory is free to spring” Luther preached against indulgences and nailed on the Wittenberg Church his 95 theses Statements criticizing indulgences and other church policies Luther’s Protest

Luther’s Protest The Ninety-five Theses spread quickly and sale of indulgences declined Leo X persuades Luther to withdraw criticism 1520- the pope formally condemns Luther, excommunicates in 1521 A council meets in Worms to bring Luther back and get him to take back statement Rushed out of Worms and hidden in a castle by Prince Frederick of Saxony While in exile, translates New Testament in German

Lutheranism First Protestant faith Emphasized salvation by faith alone Emphasized the Bible’s role as the only source of religious truth Services centered on Biblical preaching rather than ritual and held in the language of the people The Church was not a hierarchy of clergy but community of believers The seeds are sown for more radical Protestant movements to transform Europe