Martin Luther and Martin Luther and The ReformationThe Reformation

Coach ParrishCoach Parrish

OMSOMS

Chapter 15, Section 3Chapter 15, Section 3

A GiftA Gift

The preacher Johann Tetzel, The preacher Johann Tetzel, claimed that a person could claimed that a person could receive an receive an indulgenceindulgence – allowed – allowed the buyer to escape punishments the buyer to escape punishments for sin.for sin.

Indulgences could also be bought Indulgences could also be bought for dead loved ones who were for dead loved ones who were tormenting for their sins.tormenting for their sins.

Johann TetzelJohann Tetzel

Church at the Time of Church at the Time of LutherLuther The Church had become one of The Church had become one of

the most political institutions in the most political institutions in Europe. It caused wars and made Europe. It caused wars and made alliances with countries.alliances with countries.

It seemed as if the Church was as It seemed as if the Church was as much a political player as a much a political player as a religious one.religious one.

Church at the Time of Church at the Time of Luther, cont.Luther, cont. In the early 1500s, one of those who In the early 1500s, one of those who

was mad with the Church was a monk was mad with the Church was a monk from Germany named Martin Luther.from Germany named Martin Luther.

He was troubled with several Church He was troubled with several Church teachings and then Tetzel began teachings and then Tetzel began selling indulgences. This caused him selling indulgences. This caused him to further grow apart from the to further grow apart from the Church. He then issued his challenge.Church. He then issued his challenge.

Luther Starts the Luther Starts the ReformationReformation

In October, 1517, Luther wrote a In October, 1517, Luther wrote a document in which he challenged document in which he challenged the Church on indulgences. The the Church on indulgences. The document featured 95 theses, or document featured 95 theses, or arguments. arguments.

Luther posted his 95 theses on Luther posted his 95 theses on the door of the Church in the door of the Church in Wittenberg, Germany.Wittenberg, Germany.

Martin LutherMartin Luther

Luther Posts ThesesLuther Posts Theses

Luther Starts the Luther Starts the Reformation, cont.Reformation, cont.

Church officials tried to silence Luther. Church officials tried to silence Luther. Instead of being quiet, Luther continued Instead of being quiet, Luther continued his challenge to the Church arguing faith his challenge to the Church arguing faith based based salvationsalvation – means to go to – means to go to heaven.heaven.

This argument was different than the This argument was different than the Church who said good works got a Church who said good works got a person to heaven. He also challenged person to heaven. He also challenged priests by writing, “A priest is nothing priests by writing, “A priest is nothing more than an officeholder.” more than an officeholder.”

Luther Starts the Luther Starts the Reformation, cont.Reformation, cont.

Luther also challenged the Luther also challenged the authority of the Pope. He claimed authority of the Pope. He claimed that the Bible was the only that the Bible was the only authority in Christianity.authority in Christianity.

Luther argued that if the Pope Luther argued that if the Pope didn’t follow the Bible, people didn’t follow the Bible, people could disobey him.could disobey him.

In 1521 the Church labeled Luther In 1521 the Church labeled Luther an outlaw.an outlaw.

Reformation SpreadsReformation Spreads

ReformationReformation – term used to describe – term used to describe Luther’s break with the Church and Luther’s break with the Church and the movement it inspired.the movement it inspired.

Reasons for Reformation SuccessReasons for Reformation Success

1.1. Germans were attracted to LutherGermans were attracted to Luther

2.2. Nobles resented the Pope and his Nobles resented the Pope and his powerpower

3.3. The poor liked Luther’s messageThe poor liked Luther’s message

Reformation Spreads, Reformation Spreads, cont.cont. In the 1520s, the German In the 1520s, the German

peasants revolted. Lutheranism peasants revolted. Lutheranism was beginning to spread in was beginning to spread in Germany and in Europe.Germany and in Europe.

In 1555 the Church gave in. The In 1555 the Church gave in. The Peace of Augsburg was issued Peace of Augsburg was issued allowing Lutherans to practice allowing Lutherans to practice their religion freely.their religion freely.