The Protestant Reformation

What must I do to be saved? Martin Luther, a deeply religious man in Germany, found an answer that did not fit within the traditional teachings of the late medieval Catholic Church. Ultimately, he would split the Church. Would spread across northern Germany.

Background Christian humanism or Northern Renaissance humanism evolved – the major goal was the reform of Christendom. Christian humanists believed in the ability of human beings to reason and improve themselves. Thought if people read the classics, especially the basic works of Christianity, they would become more pious. This inner pious, or inward religious feeling, would bring about a reform of the church and society.

Best known humanist – Erasmus. After being a monk, he wandered to FR, GB, IT, GR, and SW. Felt Christians should show people how to live good lives on a daily basis. To him, pilgrimages, fasts, and relics were not important.

Wrote Praise of Folly (1511) – humorously criticized aspects of his society that he believed were most in need of reform. Harsh on the abuses of the church. Singled out monks for special treatment. Monks “insist that everything be done in precise detail . . . Just so many knots must be on each shoe and the shoelace must be of only one color, and they can sleep only the specified number of hours per day.” Because of all this attention to detail, “they think they are superior to all people” and will be rewarded in heaven.

Corruption in the Church Between 1450-1520, a series of popes- known as the Renaissance popes- failed to meet the church’s spiritual needs. Popes were too concerned with Italian politics and worldly affairs. Bishops and archbishops were of noble birth – their interests were not of the common people. Church taxes (tithes) were not dispersed evenly. Ex: “mortuary fee” Raised fees for legal judgments

Indulgences – a remission of the penalty for sin imposed by a priest in the sacrament of penance. A guarantee is get into heaven for Catholics; also a way to avoid purgatory. Pay the church a fee. Money used to buy land, new churches, relics, decorations in the church, fees to Pope and other clergy.

Martin Luther (1483 – 1546) Father wants him to become a lawyer – he dislikes this idea. Decided to become a monk – studied theology – received his doctorate and became a professor – lectured on the bible. Through his research of the Bible, he believed that human beings could never do enough good works to earn salvation. Humans are not saved through their good works but through faith in the promises of God, made possible by the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Luther is greatly upset over the selling of indulgences within the Catholic Church.

95 Theses On October 31, 1517, Luther posted his 95 Theses on the door of the castle church in Wittenberg. He attacked the Catholic Church. He printed up pamphlets and they were quickly spread throughout Germany.

Luther’s Teachings Rested on Three Main Ideas: People could win salvation only by faith in God’s gift of forgiveness. The Church taught that faith and “good works” were needed for salvation. All Church teachings should be based on the words of the Bible. The Pope and church traditions were false authorities. All people with faith were equal. Therefore, people did not need priests to interpret the Bible.

Luther’s ideas spread quickly. 1520 – Pope Leo X issued a decree threatening Luther w/ excommunication unless he took back his statements. Luther refused; Luther throws the Pope’s decree in bonfire; Leo excommunicates him.

Holy Roman emperor – Charles V – opposed Luther’s teachings. Summoned Luther to town of Worms in 1521 to stand trial. Was told to recant or take back statements; Luther refused. Charles issues a royal order – the Edict of Worms – declared Luther an outlaw and heretic. No one in the empire was allowed to give Luther food or shelter. All his books were to be burned.

For a year after the trial, Luther lives with Prince Frederick the Wise of Saxony, who shelters him in one of his castles. While living there, Luther translates the New Testament into German. Luther returns to Wittenberg in 1522. He discovers that many of his ideas were already being put into practice: Priests dressed in ordinary clothes, led services in German instead of Latin, called themselves ministers and got married. Called themselves Lutherans.

Peasant Revolt People began to apply Luther’s revolutionary ideas in society. 1524, German peasants, excited by reformers’ talk of Christian freedom, demanded an end to serfdom. Angry peasants went about the countryside raiding monasteries, pillaging, and burning. Revolt horrified Luther. Luther writes pamphlet urging German princes to show the peasants no mercy. Princes’ armies crushed the revolt; massacred 100,000 people.

Germany at War N. princes supported Lutheranism. Others liked Luther’s ideas for selfish reasons; saw his teachings as good excuse to seize Church property and assert their independence from Charles V. 1529 – Princes who supported Luther became known as Protestant. Holy Roman Emperor Charles went to war against the Protestant princes; defeated them in 1547; failed to force them back into the Catholic Church.

Weary of fighting, Charles called all German princes to assemble in city of Augsburg. Princes agreed that religion of each German state was to be decided by its ruler – famous religious settlement known as the Peace of Augsburg (1555).