Chapter 1: The Renaissance and Reformation

The Protestant Reformation(Day 1)

The Protestant Reformation

I. The Protestant Reformation was the European Christian reform movement that began in 1517.– A German monk, Martin Luther published The Ninety-Five

Theses.A. Protestant Reformation began as an attempt to reform (fix)

the Catholic Church1) There were perceived church abuses and false teachings2) Some Christians saw this as evidence of the corruption

of the Church’s hierarchy, which included the Pope.B. Others criticized the Church for some of its practices.

1) Pope seemed more concerned with luxury and political power than with spiritual matters

C. Following the years of the Black Plague in Europe, people became more suspicious of the Church

‒ They never doubted their faith

The Protestant Reformation

D. As a result of the Renaissance, knowledge and education spread.1) Encouraged people to challenge authority, not just accept was

told to thema) Biblical teachings contradicted science b) The sale of indulgences was immoral & corruptc) The practice of simony was immoral & corrupt

2) Biblical Teachingsa) The printing press allowed for the publication of

the Bible in the vernacular.‒ People were now realizing much of what they had

been taught was not true3) What are indulgences?

a) Pardons for sins committed during a person’s lifetimeb) People thought by paying money to the Church, they

could gain salvation

The Protestant Reformation

Can you explain ways in which the church was corrupt?

4) What is simony?a) Selling and buying of Church jobs