1. Trouble in the Catholic Church
Break between Christianity between Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholicism, and Protestantism

2. 1st Break: Great Schism
8th century the use of Icons became an issue with the Christians of the Byzantine Empire(Patriarchs) and Italy(Popes), officially changed 1054
Two major groups formed: Iconoclast (image breakers) and Iconodules (image users)
Western Europe are Iconodules and remain the Roman Catholic Church led by Popes
Eastern Europe are Iconoclast and become Eastern Orthodox Church and follow Patriarchs

3. Reformation or 2nd break
Spilt between the Roman Catholic Church and the Protestants (16th century)
Protestants “Protest”the Catholic idea of salvation and indulgence for sale
During time of Renaissance more people are able to read the Bible and start to formulate their own ideas and meanings of the scripture.
This new ideas lead to revolution within the ranks of the Catholic Church

4. Problems inside the Catholic Church
Simony-sale of church offices
Pluralism-holding more than 1 office
Absenteeism-hiring out work of church
Nepotism-giving of church offices to relatives
Corruption within the offices-taking money for own use
Pursuit of worldly pleasures and neglect of spiritual duties
Popes leading life of luxury similar to secular rulers (kings and queens)
All of this lead to resentment and alienation

5. Martin Luther German monk 1483-1546 Professor of Theology
Studied Bible and questioned the ideas about salvation
He came up with the idea that salvation could be acquired by repenting sins to God, and throw oneself on God’s mercy and accepting his grace
Differs from Catholic ideas of good deeds, confessing sins to church, and selling of indulgence

6. Luther continued
Wrote his arguments and disagreements with the Catholic Church in an essay entitled Ninety-Five Thesis
The selling of indulgence excluded the lower classes from salvation due to economic status
Main arguments: selling of indulgence no longer required sinner to repent for sin (pilgrimage or Crusade)
Or the Pope saying he has control over purgatory

7. Luther
Luther refused to recant and was marked an outlaw with a price on his head for the rest of his life
He began the Lutheran Church, the 1st Protestant Church, in Wittenberg, Germany
His ideas were instrumental in the further development of the Protestant Church

8. Differences in Catholicism and Lutheranism
Salvation through faith in God, not good works, sacraments, rituals
Church of believers: eliminated pope, cardinal, and bishop
Authority rested with Scriptures, not Pope
Only 2 sacraments remain: Holy Communion and Baptism
Clergy doesn’t have to be celibate, no monasteries
Replaced Latin with German, bible reading and hymns
State has supremacy over his church