1. In 1500, there were only two forms of Christianity that existed
In 1500, there were only two forms of Christianity that existed. Think about it. Today there are hundreds. Ask students to name some of the different denominations of Christianity.
In 1500, there was Catholicism and Orthodox Christianity. Ask students to analyze the map. Ask students which form of Christianity dominated Europe in Ans. Catholicism.
By the tenth century, the Roman Catholic Church had come to dominate religious life in Northern and Western Europe. Pretty much in Europe was Catholic. But over the centuries, many people criticized its practices. They felt that Church leaders were too interested getting rich and political power. Even though the Church made some reforms during the Middle Ages, people continued to criticize it.

2. Martin Luther: The Protestant Reformation
1300 – 1570 CE

3. Martin Luther
Martin Luthe,r by Lucas Cranach the Elder; source:

4. Who was Martin Luther? Born in Germany in 1483.
After surviving a violent storm, he vowed to become a monk.
Lived in the city of Wittenberg.
Died in 1546.
Market square in modern Wittenberg; source:

5. To express strong objection To improve by correcting errors
Definitions
Protest
Reform
To express strong objection
To improve by correcting errors

6. Problems in the Church
Corruption
Political Conflicts

7. Corruption
The Church raised money through practices like simony and selling indulgences.
Woodcut of the pope selling indulgences, from Passionary of the Christ and Antichrist. Source:
Plenary indulgence; inscription on the left transept of the Basilica of St. John Lateran, Rome. © Marie-Lan Nguyen / Wikimedia Commons. Source:

8. Advantages of Buying Indulgences Go Directly to Heaven!
Do not go to Hell!
Do not go to Purgatory!
Get through Purgatory faster!
Do not pass Go!

9. Other Corrupt Practices
Simony: selling of church offices
Nepotisim: favoritism of family (giving family members jobs)
Clerical ignorance: clergy did not know the Bible or were illiterate
Clerical violations: not celibate, gambling, drunkenness
Excess of papal wealth : Pope and other clergy lived luxurious lives
Pluralism: holding more than one office at a time.

10. Political Conflict KINGS AND QUEENS POPES
King Philip IV of France (ruled 1285 – 1314); source:
Pope Urban VI (reigned 1378 – 1389); source:

11. Calls for Reform John Wycliffe (1330-1384)
Questioned the authority of the pope
Translated Bible into English
Jan Hus ( )
Criticized the vast wealth of the Church
Desiderius Erasmus ( )
Attacked corruption in the Church
Thought the clergy was lazy
John Wycliffe, © John M. Kennedy; source:
Jan Hus at the stake; source:
Erasmus by Hans Holbein the Younger; source:

12. Luther Publicly Protests
Luther criticized Church practices, like selling indulgences.
He wanted to begin a discussion within the Church about the true path to salvation.
He nailed his Ninety-Five Theses, or arguments, to the door of Wittenberg cathedral for all to see.
Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses; source:

14. Protestant Teaching: Justification by Faith Alone
The Bible is the only source of truth.
People can read and understand the Bible themselves.
Salvation comes only through faith in Christ.
Luther’s Bible; source:
Luther’s Bible

15. Excommunication
Pope Leo X demanded that Luther recant 41 of his Ninety-Five Theses.
Luther was brought before the Diet of Worms.
In January 1521, Luther was excommunicated from the Church.
Luther before the Diet of Worms; source:

16. The Printing Press
Luther’s ideas spread quickly with the help of the printing press.
Luther’s supporters distributed copies of his speeches and essays far and wide.
Millions of people sided with Luther against the Roman Catholic Church.
Printing press; source:

17. A New Church Luther soon had many followers.
His supporters began to organize a new Christian denomination.
Several German princes supported Luther.
Lutherans and Catholics fought each other.
The first wars ended with the Treaty of Augsburg, but fighting in Europe over religion continued to the mid-seventeenth century.
Saint Bartholomew’s
Day massacre
Saint Bartholomew’s Day massacre, by François Dubois; source:

18. Luther translated the Bible into German
Lutheranism
Luther’s followers disagreed with many of the teachings of the Catholic Church.
They rejected the authority of Church councils and the pope.
Reading the Bible was the only way to learn how to lead a good life.
Luther translated the Bible into German
Luther’s Bible; source:

19. The Reformation spread to other countries.
France and Switzerland:
John Calvin preached the idea of “predestination” and that some people had been chosen by God for salvation.
England:
King Henry VIII refused to recognize the Roman Catholic Church and started a new church, the Church of England.
John Calvin; engraving by René Boyvin; source:
Henry VIII (ruled 1509 – 1547) by Hans Holbein the Younger; source:

20. Christianity Catholic Protestant Calvinism Lutheran Puritans Huguenots
Presbyterianism
Puritans